# The practice of "renting" orphans for the holidays? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 29, 2024, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314 "2024-12-29T21:13:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/21 "2024-12-29T22:23:46Z")
BTW, this is the episode: > **[A Vision of Sugar Plums](https://bewitched.fandom.com/wiki/A_Vision_of_Sugar_Plums)** > > A Vision of Sugar Plums is the fifteenth episode of the first and second seasons (and the fifty-first episode of the series with the repeat in season two) of Bewitched. The episode was completed by November 12, 1964. Seven year old Tommy Becker, who... ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/22 "2024-12-29T22:24:20Z")
Or orphanariums. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/23 "2024-12-29T23:44:21Z")
You beat me to it! [![](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/enfuturama/images/2/2b/Cookieville.jpg) ](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/enfuturama/images/2/2b/Cookieville.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/24 "2024-12-30T00:05:57Z")
Something like what \*Bewitched" showed apparently still happens > **[What is Orphan Hosting? - Orphan Hosting](http://orphanhosting.com/about/what-is-orphan-hosting/)** > > Orphan hosting provides children with an amazing opportunity to see life outside their orphanage, but more importantly, it allows children to be loved by a family and feel as though they are a part of a family. Hosting an orphan is the perfect way... > Orphan hosting provides children with an amazing opportunity to see life outside their orphanage, but more importantly, it allows children to be loved by a family and feel as though they are a part of a family. > > Hosting an orphan is the perfect way for you to make a positive difference in the lives of these children. > > Our hosting programs are for 4-5 weeks during the Summer (typically anywhere between late June and early August), and our special holiday program is 4-5 weeks during the Winter (typically mid-December to mid-January). Many orphans have never spent a holiday with a family or have not had the chance in many years. What _Bewitched_ showed seems rather like what people used to do for soldiers at nearby military bases far from their own homes - invite them to holiday dinners - which also still happens > **[Adopt a Soldier for the Holidays - Veteran.com](https://veteran.com/adopt-a-soldier-for-the-holidays/)** > > Thankfully most bases have official Adopt a Service Member programs or non-profits organize to connect service members with local families for the holidays. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/25 "2024-12-30T00:14:27Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > It was in theory a very nice thing to do for a child in a pretty unhappy situation. Can’t say selfless as probably a percentage were trying to make themselves feel better or show off how nice they were, but I’m guessing in most cases, it was a generous action. yes, I’m not certain why D\_G keeps bashing this. A seemingly nice thing to do for children in very unfortunate situations. And presumably something they volunteered for or at least wanted to do, not something they were forced to do. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/26 "2024-12-30T00:23:32Z")
My wife works (occasionally) as a translator for the agency that handles children “in care”. Only the most difficult cases are in group homes. The vast majority are in foster care. And many (perhaps most) of the foster families are related to the children (most often grandparents). She’s never heard of anything like the OP is describing. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/27 "2024-12-30T00:40:16Z")
> [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > yes, I’m not certain why D\_G keeps bashing this. A seemingly nice thing to do for children in very unfortunate situations. How would _you_ like it if you were taken in by a family for a couple of days, shown a (presumably happy) family life, then shipped right back to the orphanage for the other 363 days of the year? It seems like a profoundly shitty, manipulative treatment using the kids as a feel-good holiday prop to me. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/28 "2024-12-30T00:42:48Z")
Should I move this to #In My Humble Opinion now? We’re beyond #Factual Questions now I think. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/29 "2024-12-30T00:45:29Z")
Sure. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/30 "2024-12-30T00:56:10Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > My wife works (occasionally) as a translator for the agency that handles children “in care”. > > Only the most difficult cases are in group homes. The vast majority are in foster care. And many (perhaps most) of the foster families are related to the children (most often grandparents). > > She’s never heard of anything like the OP is describing… I work in this business and have never heard of this. Maybe it happened in the distant past or a different country than the US? ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/31 "2024-12-30T16:54:27Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > How would _you_ like it if you were taken in by a family for a couple of days, shown a (presumably happy) family life, then shipped right back to the orphanage for the other 363 days of the year? Honestly? I’m not sure. I suppose it is possible that doing so could make the child even more resentful and bitter than they might otherwise be > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > It seems like a profoundly shitty, manipulative treatment using the kids as a feel-good holiday prop to me. Why do you insist on ascribing negative motivations to the families that do this? Don’t you think it is at least _possible_ that they want these children to experience something positive during the holidays? So we should never do anything to try to make their lives even momentarily better, to ever give them temporary joy? Because it is not permanent, they should be deprived of anything that could ever give them happiness or hope that their life can be better? Their lives are crap and they should never experience anything beyond that crap for fear that they might feel even worse about their situation than they already do? Ugh, what a nihilistic viewpoint that is. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/32 "2024-12-30T17:07:03Z")
Over 30 years ago, I was dating a young woman who worked in Child Protective Services. On a Friday few days before Christmas, she had to take three kids into a temporary shelter, until they found a foster family. She was quite upset about this. Our company had Nutcracker tickets for the Saturday that were going a-begging. I asked if she wanted to use them to give the kids a night out. She did and reported that they had a great time. I now realize what a shitty thing that was to do. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/33 "2024-12-30T17:18:46Z")
I would think that they would love the treat. (This is in general and also to @Mighty_Mouse). A musician friend of mine was playing a show on the day of Thanksgiving. I went to check it out without paying close attention to what the show was and it turned out it was the big free Thanksgiving meal that several local charities sponsored. Anyone could show up and eat for free but most of the attendees were unhoused and poor people and families. It was moving. They were all so happy and grateful for this rare treat. They were back to being unhoused or living in shelters or poverty that night but it never crossed my mind that it was unkind in any way. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/34 "2024-12-30T17:30:49Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > They are now called group homes. Or children’s homes. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/35 "2024-12-30T17:36:46Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I would think that they would love the treat. (This is in general and also to @Mighty_Mouse). I was being sarcastic. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/36 "2024-12-30T17:53:00Z")
Just reading through the thread, didn’t any of you ever see _Annie_? Daddy Warbucks wanted to rent an orphan for the holidays. Annie was the kid, and it turned out pretty well for her in the end. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/37 "2024-12-30T17:57:27Z")
I wasn’t aware that was a true story. Interesting. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/38 "2024-12-30T18:01:33Z")
I can totally see a family willing to have someone who would otherwise be alone for the holidays to host them for a meal or even a few days. This includes orphans, college students, boarding school students, and service personnel. I’ve been both a college student and a service member who spent the holidays alone, and would have appreciated a place to go other than my normal room/quarters. In the case of an orphan, a family might feel they have the time, space, and/or money to host someone for the holidays while not being able to take someone in permanently. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/39 "2024-12-30T18:07:05Z")
> [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > Why do you insist on ascribing negative motivations to the families that do this? Don’t you think it is at least _possible_ that they want these children to experience something positive during the holidays? I’m not ascribing negative motivations, I’m ascribing _clueless_ ones. It seems like a firm of slactivism, like the people that think the homeless are only hungry two days of the year. > **[Soup Kitchens and Pantries: Not Just a Way to Volunteer During the Holidays](https://www.ts4hope.com/single-post/soup-kitchens-and-pantries-not-just-a-way-to-volunteer-during-the-holidays)** > > By: Allison ArmijoVolunteering at soup kitchens and pantries during the holidays, while somewhat helpful, is not as necessary as one might think. Although volunteering itself is gracious and should be done regularly, many people choose only to... [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/QGyzrE0IIrU/maxresdefault.jpg "Local soup kitchen expresses need for volunteers after holiday season") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGyzrE0IIrU) You want me to think their motives are selfless? Then how about they foster or adopt the kid instead of doing the bare minimum that makes _them_ feel good? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314/40 "2024-12-30T18:10:22Z")
Firm=form. (Can’t edit because of video link.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-practice-of-renting-orphans-for-the-holidays/1012314.md?page=3)