Two moms, five kids including biological, adopted, and foster kids; this is the most basic way to sum up the hit show, The Fosters. It is a show based on reality as its scenes often happen to families everywhere. The show focuses on Lena and Stef Foster, who have 5 children ranging from adopted, to biological to foster, named Brandon, Jesus, Mariana, Callie and Jude. The multi-ethnic family displays a straight forward and genuine view of what it’s like to be a lesbian parent raising children who are biologically and non biologically related children, as well as the struggles they face on a day-to-day basis. The character choice and their sexual orientation is important, and the producers aim to normalize what it means to be a family…whether biological, through fostering or adoption.
Upon first glance, the family appears just as normal as any other one might be. The house is full of children, and is led by two very supportive parents. The producers created characters who face everyday issues like bullying in school, coming to terms with one’s sexuality, and juggling being a kid while being trapped in the foster system. These are common issues regardless of sexual orientation or gender, making the show easy for viewers to identify with even if their circumstances don’t match up one hundred percent. One key aspect of the show is Stef and Lena’s relationship, it doesn’t take them much time to accept that they love each other, and focus on their family's challenges.
The characters don’t live in a fantasy world where everything is rainbows and unicorns. Stef and Lena experience homophobia from people within their own family. They learn how to embrace their relationship without letting those who don’t understand or aren't willing to do so — deter them from showing that they love and care for each other. LGBTQ+ youth is particularly drawn to the show because it normalizes same sex relationships and emphasizes the triumphs and tribulations individuals face who are a part of the community. Many teens and young adults look up to Stef and Lena, as it is important and rare for people with their qualities and orientation to be represented on television. The fact that they have a family, create a life they love and support one another serves as a beacon of hope for young people everywhere.
The show also spends a lot of time revolving around the idea of belonging in a family regardless of biological relation. Stef has Brandon, a son from her previous marriage, and his dad is still in the picture. Stef and Lena together, adopted twins, Jesus and Mariana when they were 9. Then they took in Callie and Jude, who are two kids who grew up in the foster system and have never had a stable home environment or family.
Sometimes when we think of fostering and adoption, we underestimate how challenging it is for parents who take in these children, problems arise with biological kids so it should be regarded as pretty normal if not equally difficult when those kids are adopted. These children who have a history, and more often than not, they have had traumatizing experiences, and many aren’t used to getting love and acceptance from those who are supposed to be their caregivers.
For example, when the Fosters decided to foster Callie, they do their research on her past, and find out that she was abused by her past caregivers. They take her in with a grain of salt, and do not expect that she is just going to fit in right away. As expected, she retaliates, lashes out and is hard to get emotionally close to. This is the reality for many foster and adopted children; they have not been brought up in a stable, loving environment and often bring in the trauma that they experienced in the past into their future. Eventually Callie learns to let loose, and finds out that some families can be healthy. This show is a prime example of genuine, raw, and uncut moments from life that aren’t sugarcoated to appear perfect. When it comes down to it, the show excels because it challenges the idea of what a family is…perhaps it can be defined as something that is felt, that has no judgement, boundaries or a solitary definition.
