State 'parenthood' and vocational orphanages (islâhhanes): Transformation of urbanity and family life

► This paper analyzes the institution of vocational orphanages (ıslâhhanes) in the late Ottoman reform period. ► This new educational and disciplinary institution was closely related to a new conceptualization of urban space. ► The reformers aspired to control begging, vagabondage, vagrancy, and unregulated migration to the cities. ► Orphanages also inculcated an ethic of hard-work and industriousness to idle street children. ► Islâhhanes promised both beautification and sterilization of urban centers and progress in urban artisanal production.