a social phenomenon that means a large number of minors left without parental care, if any. Social orphans include refusenik children; foundlings; children of parents deprived of parental rights or recognized by the court as incapable (in the presence of mental illnesses); children whose parents are in prison or their whereabouts are unknown. Such children are officially recognized as left without parental care and are transferred to guardianship, foster families or state institutions. Hidden social orphanhood is singled out separately – children can live in a family, but in fact remain neglected, since parents do not show interest in their lives, do not engage in upbringing.