No open-access location is known for this record yet.
No open-access location is known for this record yet.
This study of orphanages and homes for the aged in Egypt examines the causes of recent growth in the populations of these institutions to determine whether such growth signifies a change in the basic structure and role of the family; the actual role of the family vis-a vis these institutionalized individuals', and how these people are regarded by society generally. The findings are: that these institu tions in most instances meet the needs of a small minority of young children and elderly whose families have abrogated their respon sibilities not willingly but for important reasons', that the growth of such institutions does not necessarily reflect a widespread rejection of familial responsibilities', that certain institutions for the care of the elderly provide alternative ways of carrying out that responsibi lity—conceiving institutional care as a choice rather than a last resort; that institutional growth reflects the changing conditions over the past century that affect the way the obligations of family life are carried out. Orphanage data indicate that the children are victims of special circumstances where there was either no family from the start or where the family was broken inadvertently due to factors no longer under anyone's control. Data for the elderly reveal two groups: those who are also victims of special circumstances and those who chose the institutional alternative as a more satisfactory way to meet the new, emergent conditions of family life in a chang ing world. The latter category is applicable for the most part to the emerging middle classes who have developed a taste for indepen dence and an ability to pay for it.
Loading…
Imported from OpenAlex (CC0) — nothing here is generated.