ORPHANAGE WITHOUT ORPHANS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 19, Issue 486, 15 October 1948, Page 5

ORPHANAGE WITHOUT ORPHANS

Sir-The committee of the Masterton Methodist Children’s Home _ read with interest the article "Orphanages Without Orphans" in your issue of August 20. We repudiate on behalf of our work the charges made by D.M.M, and have nothing to hide, The writer of the article appears to have based sweeping generalisations on isolated incidents. If D.M.M. can bring about a state of affairs in which our work is unnecessary, we shall be delighted, and agree with her assumption that a good private home is mast desirable for the children. We do not agree with her assumption that all private homes are good and all institutional life bad. In the meantime, we seek to serve the children.

J. H.

CONLY

(Chairman, Children’s Home Committee).

Sir,-I am intefested in Orphanages because I was once an inmate of one. They are not called anything so kind as Orphanages, however, but usually "Homes." To start with, let’s do away with these beastly names. They are the first added injury to those who are already "casualties." I carry-even to-day-the result of my upbringing in one, an inferiority complex and a selfconsciousness which can never be overcome. We were but pawns in the game of life, and truly we did not deserve the stigma that institution life placed upon us. In ‘"a home" there are the nameless ones. They are--for their up-bringing-at the mercy of the staff and

officials. I trust I will live to see the day when the word "illegitimate" is no longer applied to the child, but applied with all its cruelty where it rightfully belongs-to the illegitimate parents. I look back with amazement that one can live through a childhood and adolescence which was so devoid of affection and still retain in oneself even a spark of affection for others. It was and perhaps still is cruel that "Homes" can turn out introverts and such self-con-scious children to grow into self-con-scious men and women, It doesn’t make for stability, equality, or happiness if they marry. The world is far from charitable towards the institutional child. "Lack of. background, socially inferior," is the judgment it metes out. Every child, when derived of its natural right--a normal ‘+home-becomes a "Casualty." On entering a HomeI repeat, it’s a beastly word-the injury is not healed. It may become, under a bad system, more serious, and leave the "casualty" maimed for life. In any case, and this I acknowledge

cannot be otherwise, the child will carry for the rest of its life some mark of the "Home." Children grow into men and women, and they have to stand alongside their more fortunate fellowbeings. Let us give to each "casualty" something to heal it; teach each child to make social contacts; give it the power and ability to stand equal witb others of its age and time. Let the people in charge of them be people who can help the child to adjust its mental outlook. Children do think for themselves and do at times require help. Meanwhile let: us support, Mrs. Mirams in her efforts for the uprooted child. May her plea not fall on stony ground. ; ONE OF: THE CASUALTIES.