Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Heartwarming drama about foster teens and their two moms.
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Why Age 14+?
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The Fosters
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 64 parent reviews
Based on 149 kid reviews
Kids say that this show is a remarkable exploration of family dynamics, particularly regarding the LGBTQ+ community, as it tackles heavy topics such as sex, drugs, and violence. While many viewers find it relatable and educational for older teens, there are concerns about its mature themes and suitability for younger audiences, prompting recommendations for parental guidance and discussions about the content.
- relatable themes
- educational content
- mature audience
- parental guidance needed
- tackles tough issues
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
THE FOSTERS are an unconventional family: Stef Foster (Teri Polo) is the bio mom of teen piano prodigy Brandon, whom she had with her ex-husband Mike, whom she left for her current partner, Lena Adams (Sherri Saum). Also in the family: adopted twins Jesus and Mariana, and Callie, recently sprung from juvie and uneasily staying for "a while" with the Foster/Adams brood. All of the kids go to the beachside charter school at which Lena is a vice principal; Stef holds down a cop job with her ex-husband as her partner on the beat. "We're definitely not the Brady Bunch," Stef says about her blended brood, but a family they are nonetheless.
Is It Any Good?
One of the typical failings of television drama is that the characters sound more like writers trying to make a point than real people just talking to each other, but that's not the case here. The Fosters, a drama built around the idea of a multi-ethnic family created both by birth and adoption, could so easily have fallen into that trap, with characters mouthing sounds-great slogans about diversity. But it doesn't. The Fosters makes its points without saying a word. The viewers can see for themselves that Stef and Lena are in an interracial lesbian relationship and have adopted kids of other ethnicities; they don't need to say it. Instead, they concentrate on the realistic problems that might befall such a family.
And what problems they are! Mean foster parents, lost bio parents, divorce, and the child welfare system are all in the mix, as well as all the story possibilities that might occur in any show with so many teens (four in one family, all of them gorgeous). Plus, the beachside setting of the Fosters' high school lends a jaunty, vacationy note to the school drama: This could be the Beverly Hills, 90210 of its time. Only it's way better. Teens and adults can and should watch together; both will find something to enjoy and not much that will make them squirm uncomfortably.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Fosters compares to some of the other shows on ABC Family, such as The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Switched at Birth. What audience do you think ABC Family is trying to reach? Why would it want to reach this audience?
Almost all of the children on The Fosters are teenagers. Why would producers want to put so many teens on a show?
Why are all the Fosters so good looking? Is it realistic that every single family member could be on a magazine cover?
How do the characters on The Fosters demonstrate empathy and self-control? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 3, 2013
- Cast : Jake T. Austin , Maia Mitchell , Sherri Saum , Teri Polo
- Network : Freeform
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Activism ( LGBTQ+ rights ) , Family Stories ( Adoptees and Foster Kids , Moms , Siblings ) , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Self-control
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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