In 1990, disturbing television footage emerged showing the inhumane conditions in which children in Romanian institutions were living. Viewers were shocked that the babies were silent. The so-called 'Romanian orphans' became subjects of several international research studies. In parallel, Romania had to reform its child protection system in order to become a member of the European Union. This book sheds light on the lived experiences of these children, who had become adults by the time the country joined the EU. Uniquely, the book brings together the accounts of those who stayed in institutions, those who grew up in foster care and those who were adopted, both in Romania and internationally. Their narratives challenge stereotypes about these types of care.

About the Author
Mariela Neagu has a doctorate in Social Sciences and a master's degree in International Human Rights Law from New College, Oxford. She is a former minister for child welfare in Romania and influenced the reform of the child protection system there while working for the European Commission office in Bucharest.

Reviews
"The strength of this book is that it is much more than a collection of personal histories. The reader is not only presented with deeply moving accounts of the good and the bad, but also discussion about the factors affecting young people's life chances, along with lessons for current policy and practice." Adoption & Fostering
"Powerful and emotionally rich... the book should be of interest to social workers, students of the humanities, historians and human rights professionals." The British Journal of Social Work



Book Information
ISBN 9781447357995
Author Mariela Neagu
Format Paperback
Page Count 242
Imprint Policy Press
Publisher Bristol University Press