Termination Of Parental Rights:

Most participants agreed that there are circumstances when it is appropriate to terminate parental rights when:

·       It becomes apparent that the parents just aren't going to change and they continue to abuse or neglect their child.

·       The child is getting bounced around from home to home too much.

·       The parents have not resolved their drug addiction problems.

·       One parent is serving a long prison term and the other parent cannot take responsibility for the child.

Some participants, particularly in the predominately African American groups in Philadelphia and Louisville, voiced strong concerns about ever terminating parental rights. Alternatively, most participants thought that the new federal and state time limits were a good idea. Perceptions about the appropriate amount of time ranged from 3 months to 3 years, although some participants expressed concern that termination of parental rights does not guarantee the child a permanent home if adoptive homes are not available.