Name: The tragedy of orphanages
Uploaded: 2012-11-08T16:03:16Z
Duration: 10 min 24 s
Description: Orphanages are costly and can cause irreparable damage both mentally and physically for its charges -- so why are they still so ubiquitous? Georgette Mulheir gravely describes the tragedy of orphanages and urges us to end our reliance on them, by finding alternate ways of supporting children in need.

Orphanages are costly and can cause irreparable damage both mentally and physically for its charges -- so why are they still so ubiquitous? Georgette Mulheir gravely describes the tragedy of orphanages and urges us to end our reliance on them, by finding alternate ways of supporting children in need.

The tragedy of orphanages

Separating children from their families and placing them in large institutions inflicts deep, lasting harm on their development and mental health. Even in so-called 'show' orphanages, babies lie silent and unstimulated, missing out on critical brain growth. Over 95 percent of institutionalized children in Europe and Central Asia have living parents, but poverty, disability, and lack of support force families apart. Shifting resources to family and community-based support not only heals children but also costs far less than institutional care.