Orphanages are homes for children who have lost their families. Throughout the developed world they have been largely replaced by smaller group homes that specialize in foster care. This is because orphanages are characterized by poor treatment and insufficient funding.
Early History
Orphanages began as early as the first century. Religious institutions established them to help parentless children. Gradually, in the public eye, children without homes became the responsibility of the government. Orphanages grew, though they developed a poor reputation.
Modern History
In modern history, parents have been less likely to give up their children or die early from disease, so the need for large-scale institutions for orphans has decreased. Now they exist primarily in third-world countries.
Bethesda Home for Boys
The Bethesda Home for Boys in Savannah, Georgia, is the oldest operating orphanage in the United States. It began in 1740 and was a pioneer in the way it educated its children.
Services
Most early orphanages educated their children on site, usually toward some kind of specific vocation. Today, in group homes, this is not as common. However, most offer some kind of mental health services, particularly for those that may have been abused.
Third-World Countries
In third-world countries, orphaned children are much more prevalent, and therefore so are large orphanages. These can be severely under funded, but many charities help orphans.
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