Institutional placement (in foster homes, children's homes, specialized children's institutions, or educational centers) remains a preferred recourse in many countries to offer children in difficulty in their families a living environment that is considered safer and more protective. This was to guarantee them the full realization of their rights. However, more and more studies show the opposite. There is evidence that children in institutions can experience emotional and social difficulties. The absence of stable emotional ties, often present in a family setting, can lead to attachment difficulties, anxiety and depression. Children in institutions may also face challenges in developing social skills and establishing healthy relationships, which can affect their future integration into society.

In response to these alarming developments, the United Nations General Assembly, when adopting the Guidelines on Alternative Care on 18 December 2009, recommended that institutionalization should no longer be systematically the preferred means of redress for the protection of children. However, where do we stand with the implementation of this recommendation? Why is it always so complex to move towards deinstitutionalization?

Through an in-depth documentary research complemented by a field survey, we first analyzed international framework documents as well as laws on child protection based on 2 countries with different socio-economic realities in order to draw more generalized conclusions. These are France and Madagascar. How is deinstitutionalization being deployed in these 2 countries in light of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations General Assembly guidelines on alternative care?

Then, through a field study among professionals of organizations in France and Madagascar, we questioned initiatives promoting deinstitutionalization by trying to understand the obstacles to its implementation. At the institutional level, we conducted an interview with UNICEF in Geneva, and obtained answers from the International Social Service in Geneva. We were able to conduct an interview with the Head of Population and Solidarity of Madagascar.

The study highlights the differences in conceptions of family and childhood between the two countries, offering a unique perspective on the realities of deinstitutionalization.