What Is an Orphanage & Its Function?
Asked to imagine an orphanage, people may bring to mind Orphan Annie or Oliver Twist. Typically, orphanages today are very dissimilar from the places these two fictional characters lived. In fact, there are very few traditional orphanages in the United States anymore. They have largely been replaced with residential treatment facilities and foster care programs. Orphanages do have a history in this country, however, and are still being discussed in political sectors.
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Purpose
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The purpose of an orphanage is to care for children who have no one to care for them. Usually, children whose parents are either incapable of caring for them or have died live with other relatives or friends, but in the event no suitable guardian is found, the children then become a ward of the state. The government becomes responsible for their well being. Orphanages are homes for these children, and under the traditional definition, many children would live in each orphanage.
History in the United States
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In the late 1800s, orphanages were present in the United States as the primary way to take care of children whose parents were unable to care for them. In the 1900s, orphanages were looked at more and more negatively, and by the 20th century, their use declined dramatically. According to "USA Today," in the 20th century, "child welfare workers began focusing on strengthening families as the best way to rear youngsters." This new attitude shifted children from orphanages into foster care and residential treatment centers.
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White House Conference on Children
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In 1909, the White House held its first Conference on Children focused on the care of dependent children. The conference was led by President Theodore Roosevelt along with 200 attendees. The group made many decisions, which included the "establishment of the Foster Care Program, the formation of the Federal Children's Bureau, regular inspection of foster care homes by the state, and education and medical care for foster children," according to the Child Welfare League of America. This prompted a change to orphanages and a shift towards foster care.
Residential Treatment Centers
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The problems with orphanages in the early 1900s gave way to residential treatment centers, facilities where children receive help and support while staying there. One of the most recognized would be Boys Town. The organization differs from the traditional model in that it works more like a treatment center, where troubled youngsters and families can receive help where and when needed. The Boys Town model exemplifies residential treatment centers, where supporting families and providing treatment is the focus.
21st Century Orphanages
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According to the organization Children's Rights, in the early 2000s, orphanages began to be discussed again as a possible fix for what many saw as a flawed foster care program. In several states, new kinds of orphanages have been organized. These places, unlike residential treatment centers, are set up to allow children to stay in them as long as necessary, even to adulthood. Many use a cottage model, where a number of children would stay in each cottage, staffed with house parents. These programs have met with varying levels of success.
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References
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