‘How Does Living in Institution Impact Young Lives?’—Insights From Young People in Ci'aiyuan

Institutional care often carries a negative reputation due to its perceived adverse effects on children and young people. However, it remains a significant form of alternative care in China. In Xiangxi, childcare institutions, known as ci'aiyuan, have been further expanding by involving wider populations in recent years. However, little knowledge is known about this new practice. This study sought to explore lived experiences in one such institution by involving 14 young people who were 15–18 years old and lived in ci'aiyuan at the time of data collection. Through face-to-face semi-structured interviews, the findings revealed three overarching themes. Living in ci'aiyuan has impacted young lives through (i) providing more supportive relationships in their social networks, (ii) increasing their self-perceived social support and (iii) facilitating positive life trajectory shifts for certain individuals. The findings present a softer and more compassionate aspect of institutional reality, even though this represents a minority experience, challenging the dominant criticisms typically directed at institutional care. However, this study maintains that continued efforts are needed to address the complexities and challenges associated with such care settings.