Cultural Change

Have you noticed how some cultural perceptions don't change?
I live in the South, so I get a healthy dose of non-changing perceptions on a regular basis.

However, this is also a problem in other countries.
In China, there was reported a case of an adoptive father going to visit the orphanage where his daughter lived. The orphanage is one of the better places in China. He was handing out candy and noticed a scratching sound coming from behind a door. He asked what the sound was, and the orphanage workers acted as if they didn't hear anything. The scratching persisted on. He finally caught a glimpse of a child through a window to a room. He asked the staff to let him see the child, and was finally allowed access into the room (only after the staff told him to 'be careful'). He encountered a small boy, probably no more than 3, who was naked. He was apparently being given only enough food to survive. His tantrums, which frightened the staff so, were an apparent part of his mental disability. He had the staff get him clothes, fed the boy, gave him some candy, and played with him.

Let me say this: China is a beautiful place with a rich history. But, I believe that deep-seeded fears of the unknown shouldn't have dictation over how children are treated. That being said, I believe that there should be more education about birth defects, disabilities, and mental disorders made available to the government officials and orphanage directors, then passed on to orphanage workers. Then, policies should be enacted so that this does not occur.