Abramov R., Antonova K. Social Adaptation among Graduates from Orphanages in the Russian Media: A Thematic Analysis of Publications for 2014–2015. The Journal of Social Policy Studies, 2017, Vol. 15, Issue. 3, pp. 421-434.

Текст статьи на сайте журнала URL: https://jsps.hse.ru/article/view/7043/7542

Abstract

This article considers images of orphanage graduates formed by the electronicand print media in Russia and is based on the materials from a study entitled 'Thetrajectories of social and professional adaptation of graduates of children’s homes'.The study aimed to obtain analytical information on the socio-psychological andprofessional adaptation of children from Russian Orphanages. Using the automatedmedia monitoring system 'Medialogia', the authors analyze thematic publicationsfrom seven Russian regions: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Irkutsk, Kaliningrad,Novosibirsk, Tver, and Yaroslavl. Textual analysis is based on one hundred articlesselected as they enjoy the highest rating of re-quoting and republishing. A thematicmap of topics constructed within this analysis shows that the main body of publicationsis focused on issues of compliance and violation of the orphan rightsand the provision of benefits, including housing. Also attracting attention aregovernment, NGOs and private volunteer initiatives in organising adaptationprograms for orphans. On the basis of these textual materials, we have developeda thematic typology of media representations of this social group. The followingtypes were unearthed: a positive-independent (successfully adapted and self-madeorphanage graduates), a positive-passive (so-called ‘adult children’), the negativeindependent('deviants') and negative-passive (orphanhood as a social stigma).What becomes clear is that 'positive-passive' media images are the most commonin the printed media at the current moment. This stigmatises orphanage graduates,positioning them as not adapted to 'real' life. The positive-independent mediaimage occurs more rarely, usually only in the context of an orphanage graduatebuilding a successful career. This image corresponds to specific individual biographies,while other media images tend to be devoid of personality or gendercharacteristics. This, the media forms a ‘typical’ path in the socialisation of orphangraduates that does not take into account modern pedagogical and psychologicalpractices. These practices are associated with the individual work of educatorsand social workers with the orphans, who work to prepare children for releasefrom an orphanage or boarding school. The analysis in this paper suggests thatthe main body of materials on orphanage graduates does not reflect the diversityof problems and challenges faced by this category of citizens.