Changes

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Moscow_Orphanage,_Moskvoretskaya_Embankment.jpg|right|frame]]

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Moscow_Orphanage,_Moskvoretskaya_Embankment.jpg|right|frame]]

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1580]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1580]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: the state of being an [[orphan]]

*1: the state of being an [[orphan]]

*2: an [[institution]] for the [[care]] of orphans  

*2: an [[institution]] for the [[care]] of orphans  

==Description==

==Description==

An '''orphanage''' is a residential [[institution]] devoted to the [[care]] of [[orphans]] – children whose natural [[parents]] are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them. [[Natural]] parents, and sometimes natural grandparents, are legally [[responsible]] for [[supporting]] children, but in the [[absence]] of these or other relatives willing to care for the children, they become a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward_of_the_state ward of the state], and orphanages are one way of providing for their [[care]], housing and [[education]].

An '''orphanage''' is a residential [[institution]] devoted to the [[care]] of [[orphans]] – children whose natural [[parents]] are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them. [[Natural]] parents, and sometimes natural grandparents, are legally [[responsible]] for [[supporting]] children, but in the [[absence]] of these or other relatives willing to care for the children, they become a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward_of_the_state ward of the state], and orphanages are one way of providing for their [[care]], housing and [[education]].

It is frequently used to describe [[institutions]] abroad, where it is a more accurate term, since the word [[orphan]] has a different definition in international adoption. Although many people presume that most children who live in orphanages are [[orphans]], this is often not the case with four out of five children in orphanages having at least one living [[parent]] and most having some extended family. Most orphanages have been closed in Europe and North America. There remain a large number of state funded orphanages in the former Soviet Bloc but many of them are slowly being phased out in favour of direct support to [[vulnerable]] [[families]] and the development of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_care foster care] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adoption adoption] services where this is not possible.

It is frequently used to describe [[institutions]] abroad, where it is a more accurate term, since the word [[orphan]] has a different definition in international adoption. Although many people presume that most children who live in orphanages are [[orphans]], this is often not the case with four out of five children in orphanages having at least one living [[parent]] and most having some extended family. Most orphanages have been closed in Europe and North America. There remain a large number of state funded orphanages in the former Soviet Bloc but many of them are slowly being phased out in favour of direct support to [[vulnerable]] [[families]] and the development of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_care foster care] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adoption adoption] services where this is not possible.

Few large international [[charities]] continue to fund orphanages; however, they are still commonly founded by smaller charities and [[religious]] [[groups]]. Some orphanages, especially in developing countries, will prey on vulnerable families at [[risk]] of breakdown and actively recruit children to ensure continued funding. Orphanages in developing countries are rarely run by the [[state]].

Few large international [[charities]] continue to fund orphanages; however, they are still commonly founded by smaller charities and [[religious]] [[groups]]. Some orphanages, especially in developing countries, will prey on vulnerable families at [[risk]] of breakdown and actively recruit children to ensure continued funding. Orphanages in developing countries are rarely run by the [[state]].

Other residential institutions for children can be called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_home group homes], children's homes, refuges, [[rehabilitation]] centers, night [[shelters]], or [[youth]] treatment centers.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphanage]

Other residential institutions for children can be called [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_home group homes], children's homes, refuges, [[rehabilitation]] centers, night [[shelters]], or [[youth]] treatment centers.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphanage]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]