FOSTERAGE AND EDUCATIONAL INEQUALITY IN RURAL DAGBON, NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Fosterage is a traditional cultural practice where children are given to relatives and friends to raise up. It was done to ensure that children were raised under strict conditions that will prepare them to face life in adulthood. This kind of strict training could not be offered by biological parents. It was also done to foster family and friendship ties. However, in most cases, fostered children are excessively used for domestic chores at the expense of their education. The paper examines the effects of fostering on children’s educational attainment.