SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL CHILD CUSTODY INITIATIVES IN POLAND (HISTORICAL AND PEDAGOGICAL ASPECTS)

• Main Author: Oresta Karpenko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University 2018-02-01
• Series: Людинознавчі студії: Серія Педагогіка
• Subjects: опіка над дітьми, Польща, благодійні товариства, опікунські інституції, сиротинські фонди
• Online Access: http://lssp.dspu.edu.ua/article/view/120917

KARPENKO Oresta – PhD of Pedagogical Sciences, associate professor of Social Work and Correctional Education Department, Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University, Ivan Franko str., 24, Drohobych, 82100, Ukraine ([e-mail]) ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1841-882X ResearcherID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/M-3929-2015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24919/2313-2094.6/38.120917 To cite this article: Karpenko, O. (2018). Social and educational child custody initiatives in Poland (historical and pedagogical aspects). Liudynoznavchi studii. Seriia «Pedahohika» – Human Studies. Series of «Pedagogy», 6/38, 166–178. doi: 10.24919/2313-2094.6/38.120917 [in English]. Article history Received: 9 October 2017 Received in revised form: 5 December 2017 Accepted: 15 February 2018 Available online: 5 April 2018   Abstract. Child custody inPoland has been one of the main components of human social activities. Since ancient times the society has been trying to prevent orphanhood guided by religious and humanistic considerations. For many years charity remained the dominant form of care, its hallmarks being selflessness, voluntariness, awareness and purposefulness. It was carried out mainly through the church or religious institutions. A major issue tackled in the article is the emergence of orphans and homeless children due to war, poverty or epidemics. Thus, the establishment of shelters, orphanages, and other centres where children would receive support and assistance was of utmost importance at the time. As far back as the Medieval Period, for instance, assistance was received not only by the orphans and the poor, but also by those sick, beggars and pilgrims. It is noteworthy that the first shelters for children were initiated by Princess Maria-Ludwika. The custody and supervision of children was carried out by a special committee. The idea behind the Congregation of Women-Custodians at the Gospel community was to provide the poor, sick and orphans with food. Most custodial institutions and charitable societies emerged between 1897 and 1905 on the territory of thePolishKingdom. Hospitals and shelters set up in churches and religious communities performed custodial functions and provided support and assistance to the needy and abandoned children guided by Christian charity principles. An important means of supporting children and young people were orphan foundations, custodial and religious institutions and charitable societies. Polandhas been noted for its attempts to overcome child homelessness, improve living conditions and arrange custodial activities. It has been proved that social and educational initiatives with regard to child custody were diverse and multifaceted and left a mark in the history ofPolandand custodial pedagogy. The societies were numerous, well-organized, had their own statutes and funds. The societies’ programs were well-thought and have not lost their relevance until today. The custodial and educational activities of charitable societies have enriched pedagogical concepts, substantiated custodial traditions as an essential part of Polish pedagogy. The idea of humanism remains central to providing all-round care for children in custodial institutions.     Acknowledgments. Sincere thanks to staff at Polish-American Freedom Foundation and Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program, in particular Urszula Sobiecka and Anna Więcek. Funding. The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Funding from Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program permitted this research completion.