J.K. R0wling has called for an end to orphanages and the “orphanage industry.”
The Harry Potter author has said that orphanages cause “lifelong physical and psychological damage” to children and that they cannot replicate the love and stability that comes from living with a family.
Speaking at the No Child Left Behind conference, Rowling said that even the best-funded institutions have a negative effect on a child’s health and development.
She said:
“Children all over the world are being severely harmed, physically and psychologically, because their primary right to a family has been taken away.
“Even those orphanages that are well-run, have good material conditions and qualified staff can’t replace the individual love, support and stability children get from a family.”
Thank you @jk_rowling for coming to Brussels and co-hosting with us #nochildleftbehind18 conference. @StylianidesEU @lumos @EU_Commission @europeaid pic.twitter.com/QMDCWxkAt4
— Neven Mimica (@MimicaEU) June 16, 2018
Rowling went on to say that many orphanages may appear to be good spaces for children to grow up, but that they are causing irreversible harm – no matter how much money they have.
She said:
“We need to stop money going to institutions and redirect it towards alternatives that strengthen families and communities – creating a long-term, sustainable system of care.”
Contrasting this, a 2009 study found that in poorer communities, the care and support given to a child by an orphanage often matches that received by a family.
“We are seeing children thriving in institutions,” argued researchers. “Institutions are not so bad.”
