SITUATION OF CHILDREN FROM PLACEMENT CENTERS (CASE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA)

Abstract

The article presents the analysis of some results regarding the research of the situation of children from placement centers based on the study carried out by the PRODOCS Association. A considerable part of the children in risk situations grow up and are educated in the 26 functional placement centers in the Republic of Moldova. The profile of the beneficiaries from placement centers consists of children with disabilities, children with traumas, abused, children with difficult behaviour, aged 4-18. The separation of the child from the family of origin, even if it is not functional, brings a series of negative emotional, cognitive, social, and physical consequences. The most relevant problems faced by children from placement centers are: lack of parental affection, learning difficulties, insufficiently developed social skills, limited vocational orientation, discrimination. The situation of children from 11 placement centers was analysed and studied by applying quantitative and qualitative research methods. Research results show that children lack developed social skills manifests through fits of anger, apathy or passivity, aggression, and dismissive attitudes. One of the conclusions is that the children's learning difficulties are not the result of mental retardation or sensory deficiencies, but are the result of the environmental and cultural factors.