Breaking the Silence: A Quantitative Analysis of Challenges among Orphaned Children in Sargodha District Orphanages

Abstract

Orphans represent a significant population worldwide, and orphan homes are responsible for providing support for holistic development in the lives of children. The purpose of the study was to investigate the psychological, social, and educational challenges faced by orphan children in orphan homes. The theoretical framework of the current study was based on the Attachment Theory by Bowlby, which states how early caregiver relationships influence the psychological, social, and educational development of orphan children in orphan homes. All of the orphan children in SOS Children Village district Sargodha made up the population of the current study. A sample of 206 orphan children was selected randomly from SOS Children Village district Sargodha. Reliable data were gathered using a quantitative survey study design, and the instrument's reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's Alpha, which was found to be 0.89. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviations, frequency percentages, and inferential statistics, for instance, the t-test. The results showed that gender was found to be significant regarding psychological, social, and educational challenges. In addition, female orphan children have a greater mean score as compared to males concerning psychological and social challenges. While, concerning educational challenges male orphans have a greater mean score as compared to female orphan children.  However, to overcome these challenges it is suggested that it is essential to create efficient programs that can recognize and tackle the emotional, social, and academic difficulties orphaned children confront.