Social Orphanhood: Regional and Municipal Resources of Control

Abstract

The search to reduce the growth of children entering orphanhood continues in Post-Soviet Russia, within a context of a shrinking state and the marginalisation of economic groups in a developing market system . Efforts to allievate this problem have often centred on efforts to strengthen the ‘institution of the family’, an endeavour marked with a great deal of conservative ideas on how families are being torn apart by a crisis of morality. Yet, despite efforts to strengthen the moral values of families, the authorities have not proved successful in stopping the increase of orphans. This is despite increasing power of regional authorities to solve these problems, after devolution of authority from the centre in this area. However, regions in Russia vary sharply in terms of the economic resources at their disposal and thus have very varying abilities to take on preventative measures. This article seeks to shed light on these problems through an examination of the state of affairs in Saratov region. This is done by reviewing key state policies in this area, by reference to ten interviews with specialists in the region of Saratov and by looking at a detailed case of state failure in one at-risk family .One key problem that arises from this is the severe lack of coordination between the various agencies involved. Due to divergent institutional agendas, this can lead to one organization counteracting the work of another. There is a hunger for a return to tougher methods, the ‘order’ of the Soviet period. This entails harsher methods against those seen to be to blame; the parents. Yet, the very specialists involved in the work of prevention suffer from low pay and prestige for their profession. Starved of funding and the chance to build quality teams, prevention is not achieving its potential in Russia. There remains a need to inject more civic participation in the issue, bringing civic organizations into play that can help fill in the gaps left by the state organs.