Outside of family care: Socialization of orphans and transmission of capital in the French Child Welfare System

A substantial corpus of sociological studies has underscored the pivotal role of the family in the socialization of children and the transmission of diverse forms of capital: cultural, social, and economic. However, the fate of orphans placed outside their families remains a salient concern. Being orphaned and placed into the child welfare system is a rupture that affects the sociogenesis of one's habitus. Statistical surveys have demonstrated that the loss of a parent during childhood exerts a significant influence on social trajectories and contributes to certain social inequalities. Beyond these findings, this chapter explores the socialization modalities faced by orphans in care, as well as the ways in which different types of capital are transmitted through child welfare services. To this end, a qualitative study was conducted, which included the following: in-depth observations of a child protection service, a study of orphans' personal files, and interviews with orphans themselves and professionals. These empirical elements allow us to understand the impact of institutional care on the social opportunities of orphans and the dynamics that lead them to experience unfavorable trajectories. The present study will focus on the transition period to adulthood.