Narratives of social orphans in Latvia: Using a life history methodology to listen to the voices of care leavers

Abstract

This study investigated social orphans through narratives of young people with experiences of growing up in institutional care in Latvia. The study uses the life histories of participants to explore the phenomenon of social orphans. To date, narratives about the lived experiences of social orphans in Latvia have been told in the third person, as most studies have used methodologies that kept participants passive rather than active. The research process in this study recorded 19 care leavers’ life experiences in detail and covered three main life phases: 1) Prior to living in care; 2) Living in care; 3) Life after care. A thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. Participants’ experiences revealed some commonalities: factors that preceded children entering care, occurrences from care and life trajectories post-care. The findings also supported a deconstruction of stereotypes and dominant assumptions about orphanage care. They provide alternative narratives to what it means to grow up as a social orphan in Latvia. Notable were the strategies of self-reliance and resistance to adversity, as well as a preference for group care and a summation of what care leavers would like from professionals during care. Finally, recommendations for policy and practice are introduced; these emerged from the study findings and the positioning of the participants as ‘knowledgeable of their experience’. This rich knowledge base can be used to support and inform the practice of children moving through the institutional care system in Latvia as well as in other contexts.