History of positive peer model and Its contribution to Today's Residential Care in the Czech Republic
Abstract
My dissertation thesis deals with the history of unusual projects carried out by individuals who were trying to help socially disadvantaged children in residential care. I especially focus on positive peer models seen for example in Gorky Colony, Boys Town or Junior Republic.
All these projects had had very different background but the very same mission- to help children and youth. Two main research questions would be: How did these models function and in what ways can they serve as a source of inspiration for current residential care in the Czech Republic.
As at the moment we are on the crossroad in this field because new acts have been passed recently and there is still a passionate discussion going on. The reason why I have chosen the models mentioned above is the fact that there is still enough room for interpretation of their potential as they have been either stigmatised by the former interpretation (Gorky Colony seen through the Communist propaganda) or never analysed in the Czech Republic (Boys Town, Junior Republic).