Voices from the Silent Cradles: Life Histories of Romania’s Looked-After Children
By Mariela Neagu
In 1990, disturbing television footage emerged showing the inhumane conditions in which children in Romanian institutions were living, and viewers were surprised 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.
REVIEWS
“The rich detail Neagu presents of institutional and foster care and domestic and intercountry adoption, highlighting the importance of personal relationships and identity, provides a compelling basis for evaluating those systems.” John Eekelaar, Pembroke College, Oxford
"This book demonstrates powerfully how badly wrong things can go when children's rights are ignored, and the importance of including children's views and experiences in planning policies for them.” Virginia Morrow, University College London
"With powerful stories from her own Romania, Mariela Neagu highlights how quality rather than type of care matters most in achieving the best for children living apart from their families." Robert Gilligan, Trinity College Dublin
REVIEWS IN JOURNALS
- Raluca Sarbu in The British Journal of Social Work (2021)
- Roger Bullock in Adoption & Fostering (2022)
- Anca Mihai in the European Journal of Social Work (2023)
Artwork courtesy of Daniel Balanescu
40 de istorii de viață din leagănele de copii
Romanian Translation
În ianuarie 1990, la scurt timp după căderea comunismului, televiziunile occidentale au prezentat imagini înfiorătoare din casele de copii din România. Copiii din instituții și cei adoptați din România au devenit apoi subiectul mai multor studii de cercetare, iar reforma sistemului de protecția copilului a fost o condiție de aderare a României la Uniunea Europeană. Acest volum prezintă perspectivele a 40 de tineri care au crescut în case de copii, asistență maternală, adopție națională sau adopție internațională.
Publisher website: Editura Presa Universitară Clujeană
THE BOOK LAUNCH
Read online article 'Silent Cradles: Life Histories of Romania’s Looked-After Children, or an important book' by Andreea Scridon.
Watch a short video introduction by Lynelle Long (Head of Intercountry Adoptees Voices).
"Thank you, Lynelle Long for your support and for being such a powerful voice in this space!" MN.
