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.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Fosters
What's the Story?
THE FOSTERS are an unconventional family: Stef Foster (Teri Polo) is the bio mom of teen piano prodigy Brandon (David Lambert), whom she had with her ex-husband, Mike (Danny Nucci), before leaving him for her current partner, Lena Adams (Sherri Saum). Also in the family are adopted twins Jesus (Noah Centinio) and Mariana (Cierra Ramirez). When Callie (Maia Mitchell), a troubled teen, and her younger brother, Jude (Hayden Byerly), join the family, the new additions stir up secrets and tensions. But the Fosters learn how to make room for everyone to grow, question, fail, and challenge one another within the safety of a chosen family.
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 have 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 featuring four teen siblings. Plus, the beachside setting of The Fosters' high school lends a jaunty, vacation-y 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 other family dramas. What makes this show stand out from the rest?
How do foster families compare with traditional family units? How are they similar, and how are they different? How do the Fosters make space for viewers to see what family can be?
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 : Family Stories ( Adoptees and Foster Kids , Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Self-control
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : August 3, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
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