i am an orphan who was in the foster care system.
[{"role": "system", "content": "Foster care is a system in which a minor has been placed into a ward, group home, or private home of a state-certified caregiver, referred to as a \"foster parent\". The placement of the child is normally arranged through the government or a social service agency. The institution, group home or foster parent is compensated for expenses. The State, via the family court and child protection services agency, stand \"in loco parentis\" to the minor, making all legal decisions while the foster parent is responsible for the day-to-day care of the minor. The vast majority of children who would otherwise need foster care are in kinship care, that is, in the care of grandparents or other relatives. Most kinship care is done informally, without the involvement of a court or public organization. However, in the U.S., formal kinship care is increasingly common. In 2012, a quarter of all children in formal foster care were placed with relatives. In Australia foster care was known as \"boarding-out\". Foster care had its early stages in South Australia in 1866 and stretched to the second half of the 19th century. It is said that the system was mostly run by women until the early 20th century. Then the control was centered in many state children's departments.\n"}, {"role": "user", "content": "I always have a soft spot for kids who are in foster care because I used to be in foster care when I was growing up."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Oh really? Why were you put into foster care? Was it arranged through the government or a social service agency?"}, {"role": "user", "content": "It was done through a social service agency. My childhood was not that great and I was placed into a home with a caregiver who did not really care."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I'm sorry to hear that! Did you not have a grandparent or other relative that you could've lived with?"}, {"role": "user", "content": "No I did not and the sad thing about that is a foster parent has the opportunity to make a difference in a child's life and be a source of inspiration and encouragement but some are in it just for the money."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Man that's messed up. We're you with a man or woman? Until the early 20th century, the system was largely run by women."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Mine was a woman and I became her \"maid\". I disliked her so much because she was so unkind to me. I felt like I was not a person but an object and she smoked like a chimney."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Oh that's the worst, I hate the smell of cigarette smoke. It's unfortunate that you weren't any of the quarter of all children that were placed with relatives in 2012."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Nope I did not make that cut. But I am going to become a foster parent myself and make a difference. I want to inspire and motivate the children that will be in my care. "}]