Orphanage vs Foster Home
Since orphanage and foster home have similar purposes but with some difference, let us pay attention to the difference between orphanage and foster home. Orphan is a word that brings images of homeless and hungry kids without parents. Orphanages are institutions set up by government agencies, NGO’s, trusts, and private individuals to provide accommodation and living care faculties to children who have either lost their biological parents or their parents are unable or unwilling to raise and care for them. There has been a tradition of these residential institutions in all parts of the world to take care of kids who have lost their parents or have been abandoned by their parents. In recent times, alternative systems have become more popular with orphanages greatly reducing in numbers. One such institution is the foster home. Many people do not understand the difference between an orphanage and foster home. This article attempts to bring out the differences between these two systems to provide support to homeless kids.
What is an Orphanage?
Orphanages were introduced in the country by religious organizations to provide residence and support to the homeless kids. They increased in numbers to take care of the needs of the unfortunate kids without parents or kids whose parents are unable to keep and raise them. Governments realized the plight of the unfortunate kids who have lost their biological parents because of disease or accident and set up orphanages across the country to prevent abuse and neglect of these kids. The most basic orphanages provide shelter and food along with other basic necessities to the orphans. Some orphanages also provide educational facilities and create a family-like atmosphere to look after the emotional needs of small kids. Orphanages get financial support from not just governments, but also trusts and foundations setup by rich people. They also receive grants and donations from the society. Orphanages typically keep kids up to a certain age and they are sent to other institutions once they attain that age.
What is a Foster home?
Foster home is a temporary arrangement where a homeless child is raised by people other than his biological parents until he is adopted by someone. This is an institution that mainly cares for kids who had to be removed from their families because of their abuse and neglect. There are many families facing financial and emotional problems with parents unable to take care of their kids. There are various reasons behind removing children from their families such as illnesses, abuse, neglect, drug addiction, violence, poverty, and so on. Under this system, a kid who cannot live with his family is placed under the care of an institution or a private home with a particular individual being appointed as his foster parent. This is a humane way to provide a family atmosphere to a kid who cannot live with his own family. A great foster carer can be any good human being who wants to provide the best for the children he/she takes care of.
What is the difference between Orphanage and Foster Home?
• Orphanage and foster home are residential institutions that are intended to provide care and support to children who are homeless, abused, and neglected.
• Orphanages are older than foster homes, but they are becoming less popular these days because of reports of poor infrastructure and ill-treatment of children in these facilities.
• On the other hand, foster homes have become very popular as they are considered safer and supportive for homeless kids.
• One feature that differentiates the foster homes from orphanages is that they appoint a state certified individual (caregiver/foster carer) as the foster parent for every kid.
• Orphanages have come to be associated with a low standard of care with poor facilities and neglect of homeless children.
• Foster homes not only provide better facilities but also caregivers who are more caring and loving.