[reaganaut1]

If orphanages are not good for children, being in day care full time instead of at home with their mothers is probably bad too. Lots of Democrats support "universal preschool" for 3- and 4-year-olds. If they called it "universal institutional day care" the idea would be much less popular.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Agreed...

My wife is a certified pre-school teacher in Canada...

So my kids get a mom and a pre-school teacher all in one!

[Anti-Bubba182]

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

[JohnnyZ]

Romanian orphanages?

Do we really think this is sound methodology?

[DoughtyOne]

Hmmm, the problem is the orphanage right? B.S. How about the circumstances that put the kid in the orphanage in the first place? That didn’t have any impact?

Some of the folks that run these types of studies are horses asses.

Orphanages may not be perfect, but they sure as hell beat some of the terrible alternatives. And it strikes me as terribly irresponsible to trash orphanages.

[marlon]

But Democrats only support government day care for those that make it out alive. Their real solution to the problem is to never allow them to be born in the first place.

[Greg F]

I think the study is likely invalid . . . Romanian orphanages are likely hell-holes where the kids are not properly cared for. The study probably, realistically, only shows that children that are ignored, not given good medical attention, and not given good nutrition have lower IQ’s.

[Bon mots]

"Orphanages Stunt Mental Growth"

So does working in Congress.

[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.

[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.

[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?