ABSTRACT
Aim: The purpose of the current study was to investigate how the length of institutionalization of orphans affected their life skills with regard to gender. The research setting for this study is Children Homes and registered Child Care Institutes (Amritsar district, Punjab) under the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act, 2015.
Methodology: A sample of 200 orphan students ageing between 12 to 18 years was randomly selected from these institutions for the present study. The Life Skill Scale as well as a demographic sheet with information on age, gender, and period of institutionalization were employed as study instruments to gather the data. To examine the data, a two-way ANOVA and t-test were employed.
Findings: The length of institutionalization, or less number of years an orphan stays in such an institution, was found to be associated with greater life skills than more in number of years an orphan stays in such an institution. Second, there are gender-based differences in life skills among orphan students. Female orphan students have better life skills than male orphans.
Practical Implication: The significance of this research extends to healthcare, as it emphasizes the need for tailored intervention programs that address the distinctive developmental trajectories of orphans according to their gender and duration in care.
Originality/Value: The study calls for policy reforms in institutional practices to enhance life skills programming, ultimately aiming to improve the future independence and well-being of orphans transitioning out of care, thereby contributing to broader discussions on child welfare and institutional reform.
Keywords: Life Skills, Length of Institutionalization, Gender
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