Das „Aussetzen überlästiger und nachtheiliger Kinder

An examination of the history of foundling hospitals, common institutions of child welfare since the Enlightenment, where the main reasons for child abandonment – high rates of illegitimacy and the fear of infanticide – are subject to discussion. This article poses questions, why foundling hospitals...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inÖsterreichische Zeitschrift für Geschichtswissenschaften : ÖZG Vol. 25; no. 1-2
Main Author Verena Pawlowsky
Format Journal Article
LanguageGerman
Published StudienVerlag 01.08.2014
Subjects
child welfare
Enlightenment
Foundling hospital
illegitimacy
infant mortality
infanticide
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Summary:An examination of the history of foundling hospitals, common institutions of child welfare since the Enlightenment, where the main reasons for child abandonment – high rates of illegitimacy and the fear of infanticide – are subject to discussion. This article poses questions, why foundling hospitals emerged to be such enduring institutions, in spite of horribly high mortality rates. Apart from providing descriptions of the lives and deaths of the foundlings despatched in the Vienna foundling hospital, one of the largest in Europe, the article stresses two important facts: Once the state had taken on the obligation, it was impossible for the institution to restrain itself; and the need for such an institution, fostering infants, was high priority. Due to the lack of other organisations, the foundling hospital was run to full capacity und represents a longstanding, ongoing transitional phenomenon.
ISSN:1016-765X
2707-966X
DOI:10.25365/oezg-2014-25-1-2