Abstract

This sociological review looks into the effects of orphanhood in late adulthood. It examines how some orphans overcome obstacles as they grow up and some do not. Orphanhood is the state of a child without parental care, and it usually comes with emotional, social, and psychological consequences that are dependent on the individual for most if not all of his/her life. A more specific case is with children in institutions, who by virtue of the institution receive a certain level of protection and support. As these children reach 18 years, there are very few studies that have focused on how they manage on their own after the system. The research used includes interviews conducted with an array of respondents including – orphans, social workers, lawyers and policy makers to explain how orphaned children cope after leaving the children’s home and the challenges that they face. For instance, it elaborates on the protective measures available for orphans including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and seeks to evaluate the adequacy of the aftercare regimes for orphans transiting to adulthood. Factors that encourage resilience such as education, emotional attachment and being part of a community have been explored while relevant barriers such as uneducated, unemployment and lack of long-term solicitors. The results point out that while the orphans have the strength and courage to tackle problems, structural challenges and social support systems in place do not cater for their requirements easily when they become adults. This study calls for aftercare services to be intensified, the law to be made more favourable to the orphans, and better programmes that take care of orphans above eighteen years to be designed effectively.

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