Perception of Foster Care As An Alternative To Institutionalization of Orphans And Vulnerable Children (OVC) By Residents of Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State of Nigeria

Abstract

This study focused on the perception of foster care, as an alternative to orphanages and institutionalization of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) by residents of Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State. The objectives of the study were to examine the causal factors of the phenomenon of OVC in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State; interrogate the perception of OVC by residents of the study area; explore the determinants of the perceptions of OVC by the residents of Oredo Local Government area; examine the knowledge and perceptions of foster care as an alternative to orphanage and other forms of institutionalization of OVC in the study area. The study adopted mixed methods (quantitative- survey and qualitative – interview). The population was 30,368 and the sample size was 1250. The simple percentage was used to determine the various level of respondents. The study established that out of 1250 research participants in foster care system within the study area, 22.3% agreed foster care exits as against 77.7% of the respondents who disagreed with the term. On welfare regarding homeless children, the analysis shows that 103 respondents representing 8.2% believe that they have been approached by social workers as juxtaposed by 1147 respondents representing 91.8% who believe that they have never been approached by social workers. The study recommended that Community members should aim to raise awareness of the various problems faced by orphans and the vulnerable children in the society.

Keywords: Perception, Foster Care, Institutionalization, Orphans, Vulnerable Children (OVC)