Group Homes
Research Paper
The size of orphanages has declined over time and currently group homes serve a main function in providing care for children who are in need of social assistance. Even though group homes share the same goal of increasing the independence of abandoned youths, they vary in formats and functions to target specific needs for children. Family oriented structure of group homes makes it easier for staff to connect with children and meet their personal needs. While group homes provide many important services, they also have shortcomings. State run group homes employees tend to be understaffed and lack proper skill to provide proper care for children. Furthermore, there have been numerous reports of a male staff physically abusing female residents. These problems can be improved by implementing strict laws that require background check on employees, minimum training and supervision on staff performance.
In the late 1800s, orphanages were present in the United States as primary means to provide these children with care and housing. Orphanages looked after children whose parents were deceased or otherwise unable or willing to care for them. Parents, and sometimes grandparents, were legally responsible for supporting children, but in the absence of these relatives, they became a ward of the state.
Orphanage conditions varied but they tended to be poor. Many orphanages were highly regimented, especially early in the century. Children marched to meals, ate in silence, wore uniforms and sometimes had their heads shaved. Corporal punishment was common and children were routinely beaten across the hands with leather straps. To make matters worse, orphanages were often dangerous. The mortality rate was not much better than living on the streets. Older, bigger, tougher kids bullied younger, smaller children. As hard as it was to leave kids at the mercy of some adults, it was much worse to leave them at the mercy of hundreds of kids. Living in an orphanage meant
The size of orphanages has declined over time and currently group homes serve a main function in providing care for children who are in need of social assistance. Even though group homes share the same goal of increasing the independence of abandoned youths, they vary in formats and functions to target specific needs for children. Family oriented structure of group homes makes it easier for staff to connect with children and meet their personal needs. While group homes provide many important services, they also have shortcomings. State run group homes employees tend to be understaffed and lack proper skill to provide proper care for children. Furthermore, there have been numerous reports of a male staff physically abusing female residents. These problems can be improved by implementing strict laws that require background check on employees, minimum training and supervision on staff performance.
In the late 1800s, orphanages were present in the United States as primary means to provide these children with care and housing. Orphanages looked after children whose parents were deceased or otherwise unable or willing to care for them. Parents, and sometimes grandparents, were legally responsible for supporting children, but in the absence of these relatives, they became a ward of the state.
Orphanage conditions varied but they tended to be poor. Many orphanages were highly regimented, especially early in the century. Children marched to meals, ate in silence, wore uniforms and sometimes had their heads shaved. Corporal punishment was common and children were routinely beaten across the hands with leather straps. To make matters worse, orphanages were often dangerous. The mortality rate was not much better than living on the streets. Older, bigger, tougher kids bullied younger, smaller children. As hard as it was to leave kids at the mercy of some adults, it was much worse to leave them at the mercy of hundreds of kids. Living in an orphanage meant
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