The evolution of the system of care for social orphans in Russia. The Soviet inheritance and the current trends in Saint-Petersburg

Abstract

This article describes the educational system for 'children deprived of parental care' as it was envisaged in the USSR between 1957 and 1991 and as it has developed in Russia, particularly in Saint Petersburg, since 1992. With regards to the Soviet period, relevant laws and theoretical articles on education in boarding schools and orphanages, as well as testimonies, are quoted to portray what education in institutions for orphans was like. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the number of children not taken care of by their parents has increased rapidly. There has also been a growing number of initiatives to help children that are partly living on the streets. Changes in legislation and in attitudes towards children have been analysed by reference to the law, to various articles and mostly especially to numerous interviews. The vital role of NGO's in these changes is stressed.