A Study on the Orphans’ Perception of Family and the State

After the 1980’s, implementations of liberal policies have dramatically restricted the public social expenditure in market economies. Thus, together with the application of policies focusing free market the states have refrained from spendings of the social welfare such as health and education in order to alleviate the public sector deficit. As a result of this, individuals have increasingly found themselves insecure in economic and social life. This has then, paved the way for dismantling of families which has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of individuals in need of social protection by the State. Particularly those of children, who have a lack of social network, have come across a greater risk of social and economic exclusion. This study explores the poor, defenseless and dependent orphans who are currently protected by the State in childcare institutions. It also discusses dependant orphans’ perceptions of family, the State, society and their expectations from these institutions. It also looks into how these children position themselves in society and to whom they think, are responsible for the situation they have gone through.