WOW! What a story! I'm glad you came out of that as good as you did. Others aren't that lucky and some don't live to tell the tale. The problem with most foster carers is that they are offered an amount of money that would have anyone consider to do the same. I'm not sure what it is in the US, but here in Ireland, foster families get 350 euro per week per child! How many families would be able to improve their way of life with only half that money and would be able to keep their kids because of it. A lot of the children are removed here for financial reasons, now more than ever after numerous families lost everything they had to the banks...And I agree regarding 'brainwashing mixed with negative reinforcement' being a failed technique. I'm glad you mention animal trainers...it couldn't be a better example. I practice natural horsemanship with our horses and teach the kids the same, I think we could all take an example here when it comes to treating humans in the same respectful manner. And indeed, the system as it is now, needs to be a thing of the past, rather soon...