Destitute Women in Kerala: Psychological resources and psycho ...

Studies have found that institutionalisation affects the development of social concepts and
positive ethnic attitudes adversely. Studies by Ram (1983) and Lakshmi (1980) have shown
that institutionalisation brings about problems in personality growth and self-concept
development.
Studies of institutional environment call attention to the fact that variation in amount and
quality of sensory stimulation may affect total development (Caster, 1968).
Singh (1988) in his study on institutionalised children reported that 52 percent of children do
not like to talk to their superiors about their problems except about physical illness.
Several other studies conducted on children have revealed the damaging effect of custodial
type of residential care. Devastating effects of institutionalisation on emotional development
are reported in studies by Goldfarb (1945), Yarrow (1964), and Reddy (1989).
The congregate system of care is the typical institutional care and is primitive in nature. This
type of care merely provides shelter, food, and clothing that is far from skill development
and rehabilitation.
Studies by Goldfard (1945), Yarrow (1964), and Provence & Lipton (1962) have shown
that this type of care results in various forms of deprivation.
Several studies have reported constant change of officials, lack of adequate space and physical
infrastructure, group routine activities with little scope for flexibility, routinised care with no
adaptation to individual needs, lack of psychological interaction and absence of specialised
care as disadvantages of most institutions. Such conditions, no doubt, hinder the development
of personality.
Other studies have found that the women living in care homes consistently presented a
profile of low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence and a tendency of withdrawal reflected in
their general apathy, lack of self-care, poor adjustment to routines in residential institutions
and poor adjustment to staff and co-inmates, etc. Many preferred to remain aloof, adopt
critical and uncompromising attitudes, and express a sense of discomfort while relating to
others. Such behaviours should be examined against the possibility of poor relationships in
early life. Some genuine states are anxiety and situational stress about finances, household
responsibility, and employment.
Institutions for destitutes in India
Social work in the form of mutual assistance, charity, and philanthropy is as old an activity
in India as in other parts of the civilised world. The existence of residential services for the
care and protection of destitute children and women may be traced back to the pre-
Independence period. Religious and secular organisations had come to the rescue of destitutes
through institutional care. Roman Catholic Christians were the first to start institutions for
destitute children in India. They opened such institutions in Hyderabad in 1850 and in Madras
in 1855. Religion gave them the impetus for starting orphanages and care homes. Gore and
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