Nearly half of those who grew up in child care institutions without a job: Study

A worrisome 48% of 435 adults who grew up in child care institutions —shelters run by government and voluntary sector have shared that they were without an independent source of earning.

The information appearing in a study on the life of 18 plus adults who grew up in care institutions also shows that 93% of those who had a source of livelihood were in salaried jobs and the rest were self-employed. The average monthly salary of these adults or “care leavers” as they have been called in the study, was merely Rs 7,500-Rs 8,500. More females (63%) than males (36%) did not have an independent source of income. It is pointed out that this also reflects gender disparity and indicates that despite considerable percentage of girls completing class 12 there are fewer work opportunities for them.

The analysis is based on a study conducted in five states —Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. It is based on the responses of 435 adults who grew up in child care institutions and are now on their own, interviews with stakeholders and research of available literature and data. Voluntary organisation Udayan Care, Unicef and TATA Trusts have collaborated to bring out the study.


The report emphasises the fact that even though “aftercare” has been provided under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, it has so far not been put to uniform practice, leaving children exiting CCIs, on attaining the age of 18 years, as vulnerable youth who are “no ones” responsibility.