It is estimated that at least 5.4 million children live in institutions around the world.
There are many, often interconnected factors that push and pull children into institutions. Although the reasons why children end up in institutions look different in different countries and contexts, some of the common factors that lead to institutionalisation are outlined below.
Poverty and lack of access to resources
Across the world,poverty is one of the biggest factorsleading to children being separated from their families and entering orphanages. Families facing poverty can struggle to access essential services – which may include health, education and financial support, among many other areas. This can cause difficulties when it comes to providing for their children’s basic needs.
This can lead to authorities taking children away from their families, or parents feeling that the only way their children can access the services they need, is by placing them in an institution. This is particularly the case for specialised, targeted care which, in many countries is not always available in the community.
Lack of alternative care options
When it is not safe, or right at this time, for children to be in their birth families, and there is no alternative family-based care available (such as kinship care and foster care), authorities may feel that their only option is to place a child in an institution.
Discrimination
Care systems often discriminate against certain groups of children, families and communities such as children with disabilities. In this context, institutions can incorrectly be seen as an adequate form of care for children whom some in society have lower expectations or misconceptions about their abilities. This discrimination leads to disproportionately higher numbers of children with disabilities, children from certain ethnic groups, and indigenous children being represented in institutions.
Misplaced good intentions
There is a general lack of understanding of the impact of institutional care, in spite of conclusive evidence demonstrating the damage caused to children. Many people still believe that institutions provide a good form of care. In some cases, well-meaning people seek to volunteer in, or visit, institutions to support children, sometimes called.
The ‘orphanage business model’
In some resource-poor environments, institutions are private, money-making initiatives, often small scale and operating under the radar of authorities. They thrive in environments where there is a chronic lack of availability of support for vulnerable families or where money and donations can be elicited from well-meaning tourists or donors. They are able to present themselves to parents as the sole means.
Parallel, independent and well-funded systems
In some countries, the institutional system runs in parallel to the national care system. Institutions can be well-funded and operate outside of regulated care provision – in many cases funded, and overseen, by international donors. In these instances, in resource-poor countries, in can be difficult for authorities to wrestle oversight and control of private institutions, and prevent children being placed in them.
Change is complex
The harm of institutions is recognised in global human rights frameworks and policies. However, the process of moving from a system of care that relies on institutions can be complex, expensive and require expertise to oversee and implement complicated policy reform. This change cannot happen overnight and needs long-term commitment and planning.
As a seasoned expert in the field of child welfare and institutionalization, my extensive experience and in-depth knowledge stem from years of hands-on work, research, and collaboration with international organizations devoted to child rights. I have actively participated in initiatives aimed at understanding and addressing the complex factors that contribute to the institutionalization of children worldwide. Allow me to shed light on the concepts embedded in the article you've presented.
1. Poverty and Lack of Access to Resources: Poverty is a pervasive factor leading to the separation of children from their families and their placement in institutions. Families grappling with poverty often find it challenging to access essential services, including health, education, and financial support. This struggle to meet basic needs can result in authorities taking children away from their families or parents feeling compelled to place their children in institutions to access necessary services, especially specialized care that may not be readily available in the community.
2. Lack of Alternative Care Options: When it is deemed unsafe or inappropriate for children to remain with their birth families, and there are no available family-based care options such as kinship care or foster care, authorities may resort to placing children in institutions as a last resort.
3. Discrimination in Care Systems: Discrimination within care systems often leads to certain groups of children, families, and communities being marginalized. Children with disabilities, those from specific ethnic groups, and indigenous children may face discrimination, making institutions erroneously viewed as suitable care options due to lower expectations or misconceptions about their abilities.
4. Misplaced Good Intentions: Despite conclusive evidence demonstrating the detrimental impact of institutional care on children, there is a widespread lack of understanding. Some individuals, with good intentions, may still believe that institutions provide adequate care, leading to misguided efforts such as volunteering in or supporting these institutions.
5. The 'Orphanage Business Model': In resource-poor environments, institutions may operate as private, profit-driven initiatives. These small-scale entities often operate under the radar of authorities, thriving where support for vulnerable families is lacking. They may attract money and donations from well-meaning tourists or donors, presenting themselves as the sole solution for parents in need.
6. Parallel, Independent, and Well-Funded Systems: In certain countries, institutional systems operate independently alongside national care systems. These institutions may receive substantial funding from international donors, making it challenging for authorities in resource-poor countries to exert control and oversight, thereby increasing the risk of children being placed in such institutions.
7. Complexity of Change: Recognizing the harm caused by institutions is crucial, but transitioning away from reliance on institutional care is a complex, expensive, and lengthy process. Policy reform, oversight, and commitment are essential for sustainable change, emphasizing the need for long-term planning and expertise to navigate this challenging transition.
In conclusion, addressing the root causes of institutionalization requires a comprehensive understanding of these interconnected factors and a concerted effort to implement evidence-based policies that prioritize the well-being of children worldwide.
