Author(s): Yogesh Kumar and Dr. Rakesh Thakur

Abstract: India has a large population of children, estimated to be roughly thirty-nine percent of the total population (1.21 billion), according to the 2011 Census of India. However, providing better institutional support to such a huge child population, giving them standard care and services, is a daunting task. Amongst the five types of total institutions as discussed by Goffman, the paper specifically focuses on those that care for those who are unable to care for themselves but who pose no threat to society, for instance the child care institutions (henceforth CCIs). Though being the last possible resort for safety and shelter for any child and the least desirable for long term or permanent placement, the CCIs are the critical component of the Juvenile Justice system. Institutional care is designed to meet the useful and personal needs of individuals, especially vulnerable children, who are in need of care and protection. However, it also comes with detriments to the social, psychological and physical wellbeing of the children. The present study was conducted on those who spent their childhood in such institutions. During institutional childhood and post institutional life they are keen to gain employment, but only very few of them survive in market competition due to less productive human development potential and weak educational attainment. In India, the subject of employment is the subject of survival for more than half of the population of the country. The case studies were conducted on children’s home in District Hoshiarpur, Punjab. The study concluded that the government needs to focus on effectiveness of after care homes or programmes to ensure that such institutionalized children to live socially and economically an independent life.

DOI: 10.22271/27891607.2021.v1.i1a.54

Pages: 62-66 | Views: 685 | Downloads: 241

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