Studies (at least in Alberta) show that kids raised in semi-dysfunctional families fare better as adults than kids raised in the foster care system. Alberta courts are reluntant to place kids in foster homes until all other options have been investigated.

But we need to go back to an earlier Marley articles about the community helping to raise children. I had a father like the men described in this article. It was not a happy childhood. Luckily, I had a good school and community to help negate some of the bad effects.