De-institutionalism in Central- and Eastern European countries

Depriving children from parental care and their placement into institutions is not a very old tradition in Central- en Eastern Europe (CEE). Despite its relatively short history it seems to be very deeply rooted in the culture of many countries. The State intervention has become more and more accepted as part of the growing responsibility of the state for the survival and upbringing of children. It was a major shift from family, local community responsibility towards the welfare state idea, where citizens have a right to be protected and provided with basic welfare provisions. Intervention into the life of the families and judging the way they took care of their children, or other family members, had not been accepted and in many situations it is still not, in spite of the rights ensured at least in principle.