Orphanages Stunt Mental Growth, a Study Finds

New York Times ^ | December 20, 2007 | Benedict Carey

[socialismisinsidious]

I know a family who adopted a little boy from a Russian orphanage when he was 10 months old. When they brought him home he couldn’t sit up, crawl etc.. and his muscles were as floppy as could be. He caught up gross motor wise with attention and stimulation and is now an energetic, lively little boy (about 9 years now). He is also as smart as a whip.

I suspect that the quiet is a learned helplessness.

[elpadre]

I have known a number of people who are, or were products of orphanages over the years and know them to be some of the best socially well adjusted, mentally balanced and generally better schooled persons I have run into - much more than the average joe.

Whilst coaching a H.S. football team in the early sixties, I had the opportunity to house the team overnight at a distant location, in an orphanage. Several of the orphans played on the opposing team. It was a wonderful experience. They kids were well behaved, most would approach and answer a question or greeting. The move away from them in favor of the foster home I feel was a mistake - speaking from my good experiences.

[geopyg]

A friend of mine goes to visit a Romanian orphanage and he says its like going back in time 50 years. My cousin adopted a brother and sister from a Russian orphanage. Basically a kennel for kids so they have a place to eat, sleep and go to the bathroom. No adult interaction other than the basic routine. The two kids are coming along fine but have two very devoted parents, and mom has a doctorate in children’s mental health so is well aware of the problems they have as they continue to grow.

[compman]

I think all of my employees must have been orphans!.

[mtbopfuyn]

Psychologists have long believed that Public Schools stunt children’s mental development but have never had direct evidence to back it up.............

Jeez, here we go again with the public schools are bad rhetoric.

[mtbopfuyn]

How about the circumstances that put the kid in the orphanage in the first place? That didn’t have any impact?

Ding, ding, we have a winner. There's that little thing called validity which so many studies fail at miserably.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Exactly. And Senator Clinton wants to “give” us Pre-Kindergarten? It was one of her wrapped “gifts” under the Christmas Tree in her last commercial, LOL!

I’m surprised she could get so close to a symbol of Christian faith without melting. *SMIRK*

P.S. Karl Rove says we all need to call her “Senator Clinton.” This “Hillary!” cr@p only serves to soften her. And she ain’t soft, except in her backside. ;)

[keepitreal]

I have two lovely children who started out life in orphanages. They are bright and delightful, although they do have some lasting issues relating to living in institutions. However, the alternative was certain death for both of them, so I think that orphanages are a blessing for those little ones and their mothers who had no other alternatives.

[isrul]

Romanian orphanages? I’ve seen stuff about those places and how even infants are treated. Permanently and terribly damaged. But I don’t think they can legitimately use a study involving any Romanian orphanage and come to any conclusion that would be relevant to the norm which is not Romania. It’s just my opinion.

[DoughtyOne]

Exactly. I had a good friend when I was a kid, and he lived at Boy’s Town most of the time.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks. Seemed obvious...

[aruanan]

Orphanages Stunt Mental Growth, a Study Finds

To be accurate, this should read, "Orphanages Like Those in Romania Stunt Mental Growth, a Study Finds". It's the way the orphanage is designed and run, not the fact that it is an orphanage that makes the difference.

[aruanan]

“The evidence seems to say,” said Dr. Pollak, of Wisconsin, “that for humans, we need a lot of responsive care giving, an adult who recognizes our distinct cry, knows when we’re hungry or in pain, and gives us the opportunity to crawl around and handle different things, safely, when we’re ready.”

Gee, sort of like a mom at home, huh?