Former Foster Youth in Higher Education: Understanding Survivor’s Guilt
As many former foster youth enter college, they face a complex emotional experience that often goes unaddressed: survivor’s guilt. This is the guilt that arises when they leave behind family members or their communities, knowing that not everyone has the opportunity to escape the difficult circumstances they grew up in. For many, this transition into higher education can feel like stepping into a different world - one that offers new opportunities but also brings internal conflict and emotional strain.
What Survivor’s Guilt Looks Like for Foster Youth in College: Survivor’s guilt can manifest in several ways for former foster youth:
Internal Conflict: They may feel conflicted about the success and opportunities they are experiencing in college compared to their family or community members who are still struggling.
Disconnection: Being in a college environment, which can feel vastly different from the life they left behind, can increase feelings of isolation. They may feel out of place or alienated both from their academic peers and from the people they grew up with.
Self-Sabotage: The guilt of "moving on" may lead some students to downplay their achievements or even engage in self-sabotage, feeling unworthy of the success they are experiencing.
Emotional Stress: This guilt can exacerbate mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, or feelings of loneliness, making it even harder to navigate academic and social challenges.
How We Can Help Break This Cycle: Survivor’s guilt is a heavy burden, but with the right community support, we can help these students thrive despite it:
Build Safe, Supportive Spaces: Colleges and universities can provide trauma-informed spaces where former foster youth feel supported and understood.
Open Conversations: Encourage open dialogues around survivor’s guilt in college communities so students know they aren’t alone in their experience.
Mentorship Programs: Pairing former foster youth with mentors who understand their background can provide the emotional support they need while navigating college life.
Normalize Success: Help foster youth realize that their success doesn’t come at the cost of others. Rather, they can inspire change within their communities by pursuing their academic and career goals.
Provide Mental Health Resources: Ensure that mental health services are accessible and tailored to students coming from trauma-impacted backgrounds.
By addressing survivor’s guilt and supporting former foster youth through these emotional challenges, we can foster a generation of resilient leaders who don’t have to feel torn between their past and future.