AIDS Orphans

The term AIDS orphans came into general use in the late 1980s to refer to children who have become parentless due to the AIDS epidemic. This entry first explores the spatial distribution of AIDS orphans in relation to the geography of AIDS epidemic. Second, it discusses ideological discourses that inform the social construction of AIDS orphanhood. Third, the entry will identify and discuss common strategies of care for AIDS orphans, namely extended family care and community-based care. Fourth, it presents the caregiving work of AIDS orphans in the context of poverty. After exploring the tensions regarding the politics of intervention in supporting AIDS orphans, the entry finally provides suggestions on new directions for research on the topic.