Art Imitates Life
Later in the show’s run, creator Brenda Hampton began to introduce more story-lines involving adoption and foster parenting. These came to prominence around the 8th and 9th seasons of the show, as the Camden family opened their doors, and their hearts. This wasn’t just a logical progression for the family, it was also very deliberately done by Hampton.
She had long expressed a desire to adopt and help children who are vulnerable or in need. And she used her art to express these views and do as much as possible to convey it to her audience. Hampton herself is also the adoptive mother of two children, so this was clearly something close to her heart.
