ABSTRACT
The number of orphans is increasing in the Global South because of a variety of factors, including HIV/AIDS, conflict, and natural catastrophes. Many orphans in these parts of the world end up in residential care, where they stay till transition to adulthood, a process called care leaving. Given the numbers of orphans leaving care yearly, the potential challenges they face, and the growing research interest in this field of study, understanding care leaving involving orphans is critical. The chapter describes the results of a literature review to better understand care-leaving in the Global South. The study finds that while orphaned young people often leave care with good educational qualifications, they struggle with employment, housing, and stigma. Independent living skills, services, and social capital are some of the personal and systemic aspects that influence young people's experiences and outcomes.
