MISGUIDED ALTRUISM: THE RISKS OF ORPHANAGE VOLUNTEERING Charles H Zeanah, Nicole G Wilke, Carole Shauffer, Tamsen Rochat, Amanda H Howard, Mary Dozier
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MAIN QUESTION
MAIN FINDINGS
What is the impact of short-term international volunteering on vulnerable children living in orphanages or other residential care settings?
The repeated experiences of establishing and disrupting attachments resulting from short-term international orphanage volunteering pose substantial and unnecessary risks of psychological harm, especially to young children.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
THE BOTTOM LINE
Disrupted attachments can lead to emotional disorders, behavioural disorders, problems with inhibitory control, and short- and longterm psychopathology.
The practice of short-term international volunteer caregiving in residential settings is incompatible with the wellbeing of children.
NOW WHAT? We encourage volunteers and organisations to develop models of engagement that do not involve short-term international volunteers providing transient direct care to children in residential care settings and the consequent risks of long-term emotional and developmental harm. Opportunities to improve the care and safety of children include volunteering in after-school centres to help children with homework, art activities, and sports, walking children to and from school to enhance their safety, playing and reading with hospitalised children, or volunteering in early child development centres.
LEARN MORE: WISE SHORT-TERM MISSIONS