Orphanages as we know them today appeared to have emerged in Europe during the 16th century, although records are only limited. Much more information is available from the 17th century. Our images of orphanages, however, were fixed by the Dicksoinian Englisg images of the 19th century. Information from the 20th century is much more varied. Children at many prphanages were well cared for and fed. An American reader rembers a strict routine, but being well fed and clothed. She and the otherorphans went to the local school. Accounts from some orphanages, however, detail abuses of varying degree. Many developed countries in the late 20th century closed down orphanages and persued alternative ways of caring for abandoned or nedy children without institutionalizing them. Many third-world countries, however, do stil maintain orphanages for needy children. Clothing and uniform policies at these institutions have varied widely. We are collecting information on orphanages in different countries.

Figure 1.--

Africa

We do not have information on any orphanages in Africa until modern times. Orphans traditionally were cared for by families including extended family network. We do not know what happened when families were not available. We do not see any orphanages until the modern era. Arabs became involved in Sub-Sahraan Africa, along the coast of East Africa (8th century). Europeans first became involved in sub-Saharan Africa (15th century), but only along the coasts. Significant movement into the interior began later (19th century). It is at this time that mostly European Christian missionaries began founding missions. Many of these missions founded schools. They may have taken in some orphans, but we do not know of any formal orphanages established yet during the colonial era. This changed after independence. Again the primary way of dealing with orphans was family groups which took them in. This traditional approach was ovewhealmed by the disaterous AIDs epedimic which swept Africa (1980s).

America, Latin

We know next to nothing about orphanages in Latin Anerica. For most of history, orphans were cared for by family. Latin Americans cukturally have a very strong sence of family. Poverty is, however, endemic in much of the region. And mnany nparebts are unavlevto care for some or all of their children. There are orphanages in the region. Many are run by churches, mostly the Cathollic Church. We are not sure to nwhat extent these institutions are run by the government or church. It surely varies from country to country. In addition there are siugnificant economic differences from country to countty which affects the ability of the governments in the regioin to fund welfare institutions. It should be noted that a small minoirity of the children in these facilities have lost both parents. Most have vat least one parent. And in most cases the parents have placed the children because they are not financially capable of caring for them, not because they have no affection for them. [Leinaeraver] We note an orphanage program in Brazil. The Fundação Nacional do Bem-Estar do Menor (FUNABEM, the National Foundation for the Welfare of Minors) was founded (1964). It replaced the Serviço de Assistência ao Menor (SAM, Assistance Service for Minors). FUNABEM was the national program which supported programs in the various states. FUNABEM gave speciall attention to street children.

America, North

The United States and Canada comprise most of North America. Mexico and Central america are geologically part of North America, but we find for cultural reasons it makes nore sence to consider them under Latin America. We do not know a great deal about Canada yet, but have compiled some informatiin about American orphanages. Orphans in the 18th century seem most likely to be talen care of the local community, especially other family members. Early apprenticeship in families, with or without formal indenture contracts, was the traditional means of dealing with poor orphaned children. Orphanages seem to have become the primarily way of caring for indigent children from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. Religious groups played a major role in American orphanages through a mixture of Christain charity and a fear that children would be converted at orophanages run by bother religious groups. It is notable that the images of orphanages in the mind of most Americans are English images--usually Dicksonian characters like Oliver Twist

Canada

HBC has little information on Candian orphanages. We do note one Catholic orphange in Montreal where the boys wwee dressed in white smocks. This is interesting because unlike France, French Candian boys do not seem to have commonly worn smocks. I'm not sure how boys were dressed in English Canadian orphanages.

United States

Orphans in the 18th century seem most likely to be talen care of the local community, especially other family members. Early apprenticeship in families, with or without formal indenture contracts, was the traditional means of dealing with poor orphaned children. Orphanages seem to have become the primarily way of caring for indigent children from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. Religious groups played a major role in American orphanages through a mixture of Christain charity and a fear that children would be converted at orophanages run by bother religious groups. It is notable that the images of orphanages in the mind of most Americans are English images--usually Dicksonian characters like Oliver Twist. The image of an orphange in America is overwealming negative. The conventional image of American orphanages is one of abuse directed against the helpless, with government negligence allowing cold, abusive institutions to operate. Thankfully the actual experiences of orphans in America is much more positive. Many good orphanages existed and provided both material and spiritual support for America's orphans. Most orphans were well fed and received basic clothing. Many orphand were better off materially than poor children with their parents. Discipline was often strict, but not unreasonable. Most orphans got a sound basic education, again often better than many poor children. There were also bad orphanages, but horific tales from these facilities have often obsured the largely positive role that most of these institutions played.

Asia

Great civilization arose in Asia. China and India are most important, but there are many others. For centuries China even in realtively recent times was the wealthiest and most inventive society in the world. The Mogul Emppire was wealyire than Europe (17th century). We have been unable to find informatiomn about any orphanages in until very recently (19th century). And they were not founded by imperial refimes. They were founded by Christin missionaries. This was the case in both China abd India as well as Korea abd countries in Southeast Asia. The first Hindu orphanage we know of was founded by the British Governor of Mumbai, Lady Northcote, with the help of some affluent businessmen (1900). The Lady Northcote Hindu Orphanafe continuyes to function o his day. It he started an orphanage to shelter the children orphaned by a catastrophic plague in Gujarat. Christian missions throughout China and India cared for orphaned children. Christian missionaries played a major role in founding orpgnages in Korea. This began in the early 20th century, but played a major role is saving countless children orpphaned as a result of the Korean War. .

Europe

We have very little information about European orphanages before the modern era. A rare refeence we have found is to th the Sanctuary of Artemis at Brauron in ancient Greece. But this seems to gave been a cult sabctuary for a relatively small number of orphaned girls. We know nothing else about orphnages in the classical world. At the time, orphaned children were mostly taken in by family. In the case of poverty, many fathers sold their children into slavery. We know little more. The Christian church pursued many charitable endevors, including caring for orphans. We do not have a lot of information on this. We do not know of any actual orphanages. We do know that monastaries and nuneries took in orphan childern. Parish priests might informally find families to take in orphans. The first actual institututional orphanages we begin to see were in Europe (18th century). And as the Industrial Revolution took hold we begin to see large numbers of orphanages. A few orohanages appeared in thev 18thbcentury, but they were essentially 19th century instituitioms, for ever imortalized in the public mind by Charles Diucken's Oliver Twist. This is usually depicted as the evils of industry and capitalism. Actually poverty was largely hidden in rural areas, it is only with the Industrial Revolution and urbanization that poverty became visible and the creatioin nof a middle class which sought to do something about it. And not only in Europe, but we begin tomsee orpahanges appearing in Europann colonies in Asia and africa as well. And with the wealth generated by the industrial revolution, churches and government had an increasingly capacity to care for indigent children and orphanages. We note orpanages being founded throughout Europe. Orphanages continued to be commoin nthroyoughout Europe in nthe firstbhalf of thev 20th century. After Workd War II and immeduaire aftermath, you nbrgin to see a shift to small groiupo hiomes and fister care to ncare for needy children.

Figure 2.--This Australian boy wears some of the army surplus uniforms worn at some Austrlian orphanages.

Middle East and North Africa

Civilizatiomn was invented in the Middle East, both in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Other great civilizations rose like the Persians. We have not yet found any information about orphanages in these ancient societies. Islam rose in the Rabian Pemibsula and within a century swept over the Middle East and North Africa. Chrity is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. We do not know of, however, any orphanages in the Muslim world.

Oceania

Australia

Most Australian states no longer have orphanages. Children in need of care are fostered with families that have been carefully selected as nurturing foster-parents. Older homeless children (teenagers) are encouraged to develop self-reliance and independent living skills, rather than be placed into care. It has been found that they do better as adults than children who have been institutionalised. Because of litigation, and accusations of child abuse, churches and charitable groups are no longer willing to run children's homes as they once did. During the 1960s however, children were often looked after in orphanages. Their clothing was usually second - hand donations from church groups. For instance, Salvation Army orphans often wore army surplus clothes. They looked quite neat, as they were well washed and ironed.

New Zealand

HBC does not yet have information on New Zealand orphanages. A HBC reader has, however, provided us information on his experiences at a church run home for children of broken homes.

Sources

Leinaweaver, Jessaca. "Latin America's institutional failure," U.S. News (March 29, 2017).