Social Protection and Adjustment of Reunified Care-Experienced Young People in Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

This paper discusses the socio-economic circumstances and process of social adjustment among reunited care-experienced youths in Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. The mixed-method exploratory and descriptive design approach was used, and 30 reunited care-experienced youths aged 18 and above were administered structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, observation, and case accounts. The results indicate that long-term institutional care strongly influences identity construction, emotional growth, employment status, and social adjustment. A significant number of the respondents belonged to the economically disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, especially Janajati and Dalit communities. Family instability, poverty, and lack of education became the dominant sources of institutionalisation and not orphanhood. However, even though most of the respondents perceived family reunification in a positive manner, some of them still experienced problems with social adaptation and livelihood security. The paper concludes that institutional care does not guarantee sustainable results in care-experienced youth, and additional family-based care systems, deinstitutionalization, and life-course-based social protection measures are required to achieve successful reintegration.