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 I 
 
STUDIES IN SOCIAL WORK 
 
 CHILD WELFARE SERIES MONOGRAPH NO. i 
 
 THE CHILD IN THE 
 FOSTER HOME 
 
 PART I 
 
 THE PLACEMENT 
 
 AND SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN 
 
 IN FREE FOSTER HOMES 
 
 A STUDY BASED ON THE WORK OF 
 
 THE CHILD-PLACING AGENCY OF THE NEW 
 
 YORK STATE CHARITIES AID ASSOCIATION 
 
 By 
 SOPHIE VAN SENDEN THEIS 
 
 8UPEBINTENDENT ' > 
 
 CONSTANCE GOODRICH 
 
 ASSISTANT 8UPEBINTENDENT 
 
 Price 75 cents 
 
 THE NEW YORK SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK 
 105 East Twenty-Second Street, New York 
 
 1921 
 
sy.f 
 
PUBLISHERS' INTRODUCTION 
 
 This monograph is an attempt to give an honest account of the 
 practical experiences of an actual agency in a Hmited area of the 
 whole child welfare field. 
 
 It describes failures as well as successes. 
 
 It does not attempt to discuss general or ideal standards of child 
 welfare. So far as standards are discussed at all the purpose is pri- 
 marily to show those held by the State Charities Aid Association in 
 the state of New York at the present time. 
 
 In the practical appUcation of these standards a tendency to lower 
 them is shown in particular instances due to a lack of pubUc or private 
 funds and agencies to provide boarding family care whenever this is 
 best for the child. 
 
 The publishers believe that there has been a gain to the earnest 
 student of the problems of free foster home care of children because the 
 writers of this monograph have had an eye single to a literal account 
 of and frank comment upon their own experiences under actual con- 
 ditions in New York state. 
 
 However, these earnest students should recognize, as the writers 
 and publishers of this monograph clearly do, that other records and 
 discussions of experience are needed to give the present monograph 
 true community perspective. 
 
 Especially is there further need of the true record of wider ex- 
 periences for two purposes: first, to make clear the principles which 
 should determine the relationship of both agency and free foster home 
 to each other and to the child; second, to show how far three other 
 forms of care, namely, adequate assistance to all mothers who could 
 thus care for their own children, the boarding family home whenever 
 best for the child, and the wise development of what the English call 
 the ''scattered home," can and should change the ratios of de- 
 pendent children now cared for in institutions and in free family 
 homes. 
 
 [3] 
 
 464849 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2007 
 
 http://archive.org/details/childinfosterhomOOtheirich 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The work of the Child Placing Agency of the New York State Char- 
 ities Aid Association,^ upon which this study is based, is the place- 
 ment and supervision of children in free foster homes. This agency 
 deals only with children who are permanently separated from their 
 own families and who are suitable for foster home care. These chil- 
 dren either have been public charges or would, if they were not placed 
 in foster homes, become public charges. If a child has relatives who 
 are able to provide for him, he is practically never accepted for place- 
 ment. The children come from all parts of New York state. As the 
 agency is non-sectarian, it cares for children of different religions, who 
 are placed in homes of the same faith as that of their parents. Al- 
 though most of the children are American, some of foreign parentage, 
 such as ItaHan, Scandinavian, Irish, Polish, and so forth, are included. 
 
 Free foster home care is almost without exception the provision 
 made for these children. They are placed in homes which have been 
 investigated by visitors of the Agency, and are supervised until they 
 are legally adopted or able to look after themselves. 
 
 In this study we have deliberately chosen for consideration some 
 cases which present difficulties, for the obvious reason that it is chiefly 
 by discussion of our difficulties and failures that we elucidate our prob- 
 lems and develop plans for dealing with them. A placement which 
 proves a failure oft^en teaches us how to make a success of the next 
 placement. It is, however, too easy, when one is preoccupied with a 
 difficult situation in case work, to forget the hundreds and hundreds of 
 uneventful successful placements. After all, there is a solid majority 
 of households in which the experiment of taking in a foster child has 
 
 ^ This Association is a private organization, supported by voluntary contri- 
 butions. 
 
 [5] 
 
proved a distinct success. It is a mistake to let one failure obscure a 
 dozen successes. In any work dealing exclusively with people — the 
 average man, woman, and child — there are bound to be inherent diffi- 
 culties which no degree of expertness can altogether remove. Yet im- 
 perfect as the system still undeniably is, it nevertheless can show 
 achievements that are far more significant and important than its 
 failures. 
 
 After the dust of discussion has settled we should doubtless agree, 
 most of us, that the foster home plan is, for a certain group of children, 
 the best plan so far developed. It is closest in kind to the natural way 
 of living for the child, and satisfies most fully his normal instincts. Its 
 difficulties and its complexities differ less in kind than in acuteness 
 from those of any family group. We have concentrated so much at- 
 tention on the foster family group that we are perhaps suffering from 
 a bhnd spot when the normal household is in question. Certain diffi- 
 culties peculiar to the foster family group there undeniably are. In the 
 main, however, its course is much the same as that of the average 
 household. 
 
 We must, however, make limits for ourselves in discussing the free 
 home method of child care. It is, after all, only one section of the im- 
 mense field of work for children, and it is a mistake to let the focusing 
 of our attention upon this spot blind us to the great area ^rrounding 
 it. This sort of care is advisable for probably less than 10 per cent of 
 the dependent children of New York state. The other 90 per cent 
 must be provided for by other means: boarding homes, fnothers' al- 
 lowances, or institutions for temporary care or special training. It is 
 clear that this plan cannot or should not be used for children who are 
 only temporarily separated from their relatives, nor for children who 
 might, by subsidies, be kept in their own homes, as is true of the great 
 majority of the state's dependent children. It can never be a solution 
 of the general problem of dependent children. 
 
 It might be added that this study is based on twenty-two years of 
 experience in free home placing. As yet, we have not taken stock of 
 our failures and successes by means of any complete survey, but there 
 is in the records ample material on which to base conclusions. Over 
 
 [6] 
 
and above that is the fund of experience which every agency stores up 
 and which can never be encompassed within the written record. 
 
 Emphasis should be laid on the fact that this monograph does not 
 attempt to set standards; it merely reports work as it was actually 
 done. It is not a discussion of ideal foster home care, neither is it the 
 report of an agency which has done an intensive piece of work under 
 special conditions. The work of the Association has been with every 
 type of child, and has been done under adverse as well as favorable 
 circumstances, and in contact with many private organizations and 
 public officials. We have not tried to define standards but to describe 
 our own experience, setting down certain conclusions to which we 
 have come as a result of practical case work. In consequence, records 
 quoted and cases cited have been allowed to stand with whatever mis- 
 takes or omissions they showed, since they are liter&<l reports of actual 
 experience. 
 
 In this study it is proposed to discuss : first, what children should be 
 placed in free foster homes and what we need to know about them; 
 second, the selection of foster homes; third, the process by which the 
 child and the home are brought together ; fourth, supervision following 
 the placement; and fifth, replacements. 
 
 Sophie van Senden Theis 
 
 Constance Goodrich 
 NewYork, N. Y. 
 r October, 1921. 
 
 [7] 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 Preface 5 
 
 I. Selection op Children and Investigation op Family History 11 
 
 II. The Selection op Homes 31 
 
 III. Placing the Child 65 
 
 IV. Supervision 79 
 
 V. Replacements 116 
 
 [9] 
 
CHAPTER I 
 
 SELECTION OF CHILDREN AND INVESTIGA- 
 TION OF FAMILY HISTORY 
 
 What Children Are Eligible y/^ 
 
 The children accepted for placement in free foster homes may be 
 classified in three groups: those whose parents have deliberately re- 
 fused to provide for them — ^in other words, children who have been 
 abandoned; those whose parents have been permanently deprived 
 by court action of their custody; and children whose parents, for rea- 
 sons other than poverty, are incapable of providing for them. 
 
 Abandonment.— In the group of abandoned children are the found- 
 lings — children who have been deserted, and of whose parentage noth- 
 ing can be known; and the deserted children, whose parents may be 
 known but cannot be found and who have clearly intended a desertion. 
 
 It is practically impossible to invent a system by which abandon- 
 ment is made impossible. The best that can be done is to perfect a 
 method of investigation and supervision by means of which it is easy 
 to keep track of the parents and possible to force them to provide 
 something for the care of their children. By this means the number of 
 deserted children can be reduced to a minimum. In New York state 
 no such method has as yet been enforced, although the efforts made 
 have succeeded in bringing down the number each year. Children are 
 still placed by private arrangement in boarding homes by their parents 
 and abandoned there, or committed to institutions by poor law offi- 
 cials and abandoned there by their parents. 
 
 Abandonment is difficult to define. It is not entirely a question of 
 the length of time which elapsed since the last visit or the last pay- 
 ment. The apparent intention of the parent is extremely important. 
 The attitude of the mother, her indifference to or her affection for her 
 
 [11] 
 
child, and her ability to pay are all indicative of her probable intention 
 in disappearing. For instance, an unmarried mother who has shown 
 some affection for her baby, who has been working hard and is at odds 
 with her family, is much more likely to reappear and claim her child 
 than a woman who has visited her baby infrequently, bought him few 
 clothes, and has not attempted to support herself regularly. Each 
 case of abandonment must be decided on its own evidence, and it 
 is essential to know your situation thoroughly by means of an ex- 
 haustive examination of all possible clues. 
 
 Every effort is made to help unmarried parents to provide for their 
 children, and a special department is maintained by the Association 
 for this purpose. An unmarried mother, if she has the character to do 
 it, is given every chance to keep her baby with her; work is found for 
 her, and medical and convalescent care are supplied. There are, of 
 course, parents of such character that it is plain that the child will 
 only suffer from remaining with them. There are always some moth- 
 ers so determined to get rid of their children that they will resort to 
 anything: advertisement, which almost always means a doubtful 
 home for the child, leaving the child in a hallway, or even the sale of 
 the child. In such cases the agency must choose between accepting 
 the child or leaving the mother to dispose of him in her own way, since 
 New York has no law compelling a woman to keep her child. 
 
 Children Removed by Court Action from Their Parents' Custody. — 
 In deaUng with this group, the agency will satisfy itself not only as 
 to the legality of the court procedure, but as to the validity of the 
 evidence upon which the procedure was based. It must assure itself 
 by an exhaustive investigation of these points: Were constructive 
 measures used to improve conditions in the home before removal of 
 the children was decided upon? Is this removal necessary to safe- 
 guard the children? Is the situation upon which court action is 
 based temporary or permanent? Is there a likelihood that the parents 
 will some day estabUsh a decent home and that the agency will feel it 
 advisable to return the children to them? It should be understood 
 that no child should be taken from his parents unless it is clear, as far 
 as such things can be clear, that there is no hope of their reformation. 
 
 [12] 
 
It should be remembered, however, that the child's rights are quite as 
 valid as the parents', and that he should not be deprived of a happy 
 foster home because there is a remote possibility that his abusive father 
 may reform and make a home for him. ^ 
 
 Of necessity, some time nearly always elapses between the time that 
 the child is abandoned or committed and his placement in a foster 
 home. In other words, a child is almost never taken from his own par- 
 ents and immediately placed with foster parents. During this inter- 
 val he is cared for either in an institution or boarding home, according 
 to the type of care provided in his locality. Such a child is seldom 
 ready, in point of health, mental attitude, or training, for a foster 
 home. He needs usually to learn the rudiments of cleanly living, he 
 is often in bad physical condition, and he must have time to accom- 
 modate himself to his altered circumstances. 
 
 Parents Who are Incapacitated. — ^The third group includes children 
 of parents permanently incapacitated mentally or physically; for in- 
 stance, children of incurably insane parents, or children whose mother 
 is dead and whose father is serving a long term in prison. 
 
 In addition to these three groups there are the orphans, always few 
 in number, whose relatives are imable to provide for them. 
 
 The children are received from two sources — public ofl&cials and 
 private agencies, in which group we include institutions. 
 
 Pre-placement Inquiry 
 Purpose of Inquiry. — There are several reasons why the investiga- 
 tion of the child's history must be thorough. We need complete 
 knowledge of the child's circumstances and personality to place him 
 successfully. Moreover, we need it to inform foster parents, who 
 more and more frequently are demanding full and detailed histories 
 
 1 There are in New York state over 3500 justices of the peace who have the right 
 to deprive parents of the custody of their children. There is great variation in 
 the use of this authority, due partly to the fact that many of these justices have 
 had no training and have no legal knowledge. For these reasons many cases must 
 be reviewed by the agency for possible irregularity of procedure or of evidence. 
 
 [13 1 
 
for the children whom they think of adopting. For the child himself, 
 when he is grown, we must have the facts about his own family. If 
 he knows that he is an adopted child, as most adopted children do 
 nowadays, he will have a natural curiosity, which he has a right to 
 satisfy, about his parentage. Last of all, but of increasing impor- 
 tance, is the interest of science, both social and psychological, in these 
 records, so rich in human significance and in facts which need only 
 to be assembled to have genuine scientific value. Scientific research 
 may seem a remote affair to the harassed case worker, but her records 
 may some day contribute invaluable material to the scientific student, 
 and it is to research that we owe many of the methods which we daily 
 use — the intelligence test, the Wassermann test, and the complete 
 physical examination. 
 
 First Inquiry. — ^The work of this agency differs from that of many 
 other agencies in one respect, that it cannot in every case control what 
 is technically known as ** the reception inquiry." In other words, the 
 case of a child offered to this agency for placement has usually already 
 been at least partly investigated, and the child has some time since 
 been removed from his own family. For the agency this system has 
 one drawback : that this investigation may originally have been made 
 with the idea of separating the child only temporarily from his family, 
 or made at a crisis in the family affairs which might have been tided 
 over. Consequently it may be weak on facts relating to family history, 
 as distinct from facts relating to the child's dependency and the imme- 
 diate emergency. The agency must review each case with its atten- 
 tion focused on this question; should this child be permanently sepa- 
 rated from his relatives? If no other solution is possible, the agency 
 will then collect the additional information needed, either by asking 
 the agency which referred the child to make a further investigation or 
 by sending its own agent. Obviously, fewer facts are needed for the 
 record of the child who is to be temporarily a public charge than for 
 the record of a child who is to be placed for adoption. Moreover, the 
 first investigation may have been superficial and a second inquiry may 
 reveal a different situation. This agency has often had referred to it as 
 
 [14 
 
suitable for adoption children who, upon more thorough inquiry, were 
 found to have relatives willing and able to provide for them. 
 
 The essential facts to be secured and recorded for the investigation 
 of a child^s history are as follows: 
 
 Legal Status. — How did the agency secure the custody of the child? 
 By poor law commitment, by court commitment, by abandonment by 
 the parents? 
 O Family History. — ^This involves gathering every scrap of significant 
 information about his family, including his grandparents, aunts, and 
 uncles; their health, intelligence, schooling, occupations, habits, char- 
 acter, religion. Where and how have they lived? Why did they 
 move? What did the neighbors think of them? Were they "queer"? 
 What was their reputation in the community? What did they look 
 like? Could they hold jobs? What kind? Did they keep a clean 
 house? Were they quarrelsome? How did they treat the children? 
 Have they records in a police office or in a social service office? 
 
 ^ Personal History. — ^How old was the child when conditions in his 
 home became bad? How old when he was removed? Where has he 
 lived since — ^in boarding homes or institutions or in visiting homes? 
 How long in each? How long has he been in school? His grade? His 
 school record? His personal appearance, coloring, etc.? 
 
 Health. — ^Was he breast fed? When did he begin to walk and talk? 
 What illnesses has he had? What kind of feeding, cleanliness, hygiene 
 has he had? A thorough examination of his present condition will 
 usually include a Wassermann test, and in the case of girls smears are 
 made, whenever possible, for determination of possible venereal in- 
 fection. 
 
 Intelligence. — ^The child's intelligence is usually tested by a psy- 
 chologist, using one of the standard tests. Children whose parents or 
 relatives show a marked degree of mental inferiority should always be 
 tested, and also children who show serious retardation. The results of 
 the test, taken with the observation of people who see the child con- 
 stantly, give some indication of the child's mental capacity and help to 
 determine whether he should be placed with a family who will be ambi- 
 
 1151 
 
tious for his progress in an educational way, or with a family whose 
 work and interests are of a simpler sort. 
 
 Personality. — Information about the child^s personaUty is as im- 
 portant as any of the more tangible facts which we need. It is possible 
 to have on record a full statement of the child's background, his 
 physique, and the circumstances of his removal from his own home,, 
 and yet to know nothing of the child himself. When it comes to the 
 test, that of setting a frightened, neglected child in the midst of stran- 
 gers, such knowledge may prove futile. What we really need to know is. 
 what the child feels about his own father and mother, about his 
 separation from them, what memories he has brought with him, 
 and what he hopes and fears from a new home. If a little girl has been 
 brutally treated by her drunken father, will she be terrified by her new 
 father? Often such memories He buried in the child's mind, unknown 
 to the foster parents or to the visitor, causing him worry and fear and 
 making it nearly impossible for him to trust the strangers with whom 
 he is living. Such a child can be hardly anything but unresponsive, 
 disobedient, or dishonest. 
 
 In addition to knowing the child's feeling about his situation we 
 need to know his tastes, the things that he enjoys doing, his temper, 
 his demonstrativeness, his honesty, his ability to get on with other 
 children. If he is a robust, boisterous child, strong willed and aggres- 
 sive, he will never get on with the Browns, who want a sensitive, re- 
 sponsive child, but he may just suit the Greens, who don't on any 
 account want a " sissy." It is vital to know these things in advance so 
 that one may choose the right home for him. 
 
 Pre-placement Care. — Before the child can be placed in a free 
 home, once he is accepted for placement, an interval of care in a 
 boarding home is usually necessary. A child coming from a home 
 where he has been neglected or from an institution where he has had 
 no experience of ordinary household Hfe is seldom ready for the ordeal 
 of adjustment to a strange family. Training in the rudimentary de- 
 cencies, as well as in ordinary good manners, is often necessary. 
 
 The boarding mother with whom the child stays in this interval is 
 expected to give him the training which will fit him to go to a free or 
 
 [161 
 
adoption home. She may have to correct habits such as lying, steal- 
 ing, playing truant or setting fires. If the child is placed while he is 
 still, as the theologians used to say, "dead-ripe in sin," he is likely to 
 prove so difficult that his foster parents will despair of making him a 
 respectable member of the family. The worst of this transition be- 
 tween his own wretched home and his free home should, if possible, 
 be got over in a boarding home. 
 
 It is, moreover, usually necessary to get the child into condition 
 physically. Dental work and care of the tonsils and adenoids are 
 almost always indicated. "Fattening" the child will often make him 
 more placeable; certainly a general "grooming" will help. 
 
 No less important than the medical and general preparation is the 
 observation of the child's personality made possible by boarding him 
 for a time before placing him. The boarding mother, the nurse and 
 a special visitor can pool observations of the child, with the result 
 that he ceases to be a case record and becomes an individual, demand- 
 ing this or that type of home. 
 
 Family History Records 
 
 The following record shows the amount of history obtainable in cer- 
 tain cases which at first sight may appear so confidential that there 
 seems little chance of getting more than the barest outlines. 
 
 A Child of Unmarried Parents.* — Child. — Catherine Gordon, bom November 
 30, 1919. 
 
 Father. — Graham Little was interviewed by a visitor to whom, after some 
 hesitation, he admitted that he was the father. He was the head of a large de- 
 partment in the factory in which Mrs. Gordon worked. He was an American of 
 Irish and English ancestry, thirty years of age, tall, well built and well dressed. 
 He had dark-brown hair with a Uttle red in it, dark eyes, large, generous featm*es, 
 and a well-defined chin with a cleft in it. He had a strong, determined face, with 
 a good deal of sensitiveness, eyes that twinkled, and a hearty smile. One would 
 judge him to be quite intellectual and rather emotional — ^a man of strong affec- 
 tions. He was a college graduate, had one advanced degree, and had held several 
 important business positions. His health was excellent. He was extremely 
 courteous throughout the interview, very controlled, but plainly much moved. 
 He was frank and straightforward in his account of the whole affair. 
 
 * Practically all case reports quoted have been condensed. All names and ad- 
 dresses and identifying facts have been changed. 
 
 2 [17] 
 
Mother. — Margaret Gordon, thirty-eight years of age, tall, slender, gray hair, 
 blue eyes, high color, refined features, well dressed, makes a good impression; 
 very emotional. She seemed to have hved the life of an average country woman, 
 respected in the community, with some social standing and domestic tastes. 
 She had, however, native abiUty and could probably have amoimted to something 
 in a business way. She had ambition and discussed the possibiUty of taking a 
 business course. She had held a small poUtical job in her district, and had had 
 considerable responsibility at elections. She held an important position in one of 
 the town welfare organizations. At the time that the case was referred she had a 
 small executive and clerical position in a local factory. Previously she had man- 
 aged with a partner a small but successful store, in the course of which venture 
 she had paid off a large debt. She had had only a grammar school education. 
 Her mental examination, made by the agency's psychologist, gave an intelligence 
 quotient of 103. The Wassermann and gonococcal infection tests were negative. 
 
 Grandparents, Paternal. — Grandfather born in Ireland, a sea captain. Grand- 
 mother, member of a respected EngUsh family, born in England. 
 
 Relatives, Paternal. — Several of the paternal aunts and uncles were college 
 graduates. One of them was a high school principal. Two uncles were in the 
 army, one in business and one a farmer in the West. An aunt, married, was a 
 stenographer. 
 
 Grandparents, Maternal. — Grandfather had kept a store in the city, had fought 
 in the Civil War, and died at forty of heart trouble. Grandmother, interviewed 
 by agent, was about sixty. She was a tall, well-built woman, with gray eyes and 
 pretty gray hair arranged neatly. She had a bright, pleasant face, and was of the 
 old-fashioned, motherly type. She was well dressed in black, with white niching 
 in her collar, and an old-fashioned breast-pin. Her EngUsh was good, and her 
 manner very courteous. She was apparently from good old country stock and 
 proud of her ancestry. She had a small income, which she supplemented by 
 taking boarders, on which she and her daughter Uved. She showed a good 
 deal of feehng in talking about the baby, and had evidently taken the affair very 
 hard. She seemed a finer type than her daughter. Great grandfather, an EngUsh 
 Quaker preacher. He left an estate of about $15,000. Great grandmother, an 
 English Quaker who had Uved in . 
 
 Relatives, Maternal. — Great uncles: One in the trucking business, one an 
 inspector for a city department, one in the hardware business, and one an auto- 
 mobile salesman. All the maternal relatives were respectable, home-loving 
 people in fair circumstances. 
 
 Half-Brother. — Seven years old, seen by agent. A sturdy, well-developed boy, 
 natural, and weU behaved. He had heavy brown hair, large gray eyes, and a de- 
 termined chin. He was doing good work in school and seemed thoroughly in- 
 telUgent. 
 
 History of Parents. — Mrs. Gordon had been married to the son of a country 
 lawyer who had been dissipated, and from whom she was finaUy separated, with- 
 out a divorce. Her son was the child of this marriage. The sympathy of the com- 
 munity was entirely with her in the separation. 
 
 Both the father and mother admitted that they had been reckless. Little 
 had been a boarder in the Gordon home, and had been nursed through grippe by 
 Mrs. Gordon. This was the beginning of their relationship. Mrs. Gordon had 
 become infatuated with Little. There had, however, been no question of mar- 
 
 [18] 
 
riage. At the time of this interview Little was definitely opposed to such a plan, 
 even if a divorce were obtained, and was interested in a girl whom he hoped to 
 marry. 
 
 With regard to keeping the child, Mrs. Gordon's mother was unalterably 
 opposed, because of the damage to their reputation, the expense, and because she 
 felt it unfair to Mrs. Gordon's boy to have the child brought up with him. Little 
 had paid $30 a week for the mother's expenses during confinement, but both he 
 and the mother were firm in their determination that the only solution was to 
 have the child adopted. The mother felt that for the sake of her son and because 
 she was somewhat dependent upon her mother for support shQ could not keep the 
 baby. No amount of persuasion had any effect upon her. She had made her de- 
 cision deUberately, and was determined that the baby should be placed. There 
 is no law in such a case which forces a mother to keep her child, and it was finally 
 decided to accept the baby for placement. 
 
 Home Conditions. — ^The mother's home was an old-fashioned house, built by 
 her family many years before, plain outside but attractive inside. The house was 
 in good order, the windows filled with plants; the furnishings were plain, but there 
 was one handsome piece of old mahogany. 
 
 Child's Personal History. — Born in a small private hospital; never nursed. 
 An examination made when the baby was about four weeks old gave her weight 
 as 7^ pounds; negative smears; Wassermann test negative; good nutrition. 
 She was a pretty, healthy baby, with large blue eyes, unusually bright and 
 attractive. 
 
 An Abandonment Case. — The following case is an abandonment 
 case, and shows the steps taken by the agency in an effort to prove 
 abandonment, and the amount of information collected, not only for 
 the family record, but to make clear the circumstances of abandon- 
 ment. 
 
 Child.— Robert Campbell, bom February 2, 1914. 
 
 Father. — ^William Campbell, bom in , Febmary 2, 1882. American 
 
 ancestry; Protestant. Described as tall, broad-shouldered, of medium complexion, 
 with rather coarse features and an appearance of dissipation. He was probably 
 a man of some personal charm in his way, talkative, genial, generous, and easy- 
 going. Graduated from grammar school; did not go to high school; wrote very 
 poor letters. Attended Sunday school till he was fifteen. As a young boy he 
 went to live with an aunt and grew up in an environment of racing, gambling, 
 and drinking. He has been a mechanic, a chauBfeur for an ambulance, a munitions 
 worker, a pharmacist in the army, in which he served three terms of enlistment, a 
 sailor in the merchant marine, a drug clerk, checker for a freight company, and 
 manager of a small restaurant. He has always been inefficient and lazy. In his 
 machine work he stole tools, short-changed people, and did not work steadily. 
 He ran over a child when he was driving an ambulance. He incurred debts which 
 his second wife had to pay, and lost money gambHng. He drank somewhat, but 
 not to excess, and was not known to be immoral. He owed money to every one in his 
 native town. He was weak and easily taken in. He showed an occasional affection 
 
 [19] 
 
for his son, but never a real interest. He seldom responded to Robert's affection for 
 him — ^never bought him clothes or toys and left his support largely to his second 
 wife. 
 
 Mother. — Ruth Green. Bom in Tennessee, date unknown; Protestant. 
 Lost her mother at two, and was brofught up by three maiden cousins. Her father 
 visited her here only once. She was tall, broad-shouldered, and big-boned, with 
 light hair and eyes and very high color. As a child she was strong and healthy; 
 she had a hard case of measles at fifteen. Attended public school; did not like 
 to study; was kept in the seventh grade four terms; left school at sixteen, was 
 said to be too lazy to study, but wrote beautiful letters. Went to work in a store 
 at sixteen. After several months was discharged for taking things and lying. 
 
 Stole as much as $300 from the store where she worked. Worked in Hospital 
 
 for Children as a nursery maid for nine months, till her marriage, earning her living 
 and a small wage besides. Stayed out late nights, but nothing immoral was ever 
 known about her. Spoken of as a "nice," fresh-looking girl, who apparently had 
 been kept repressed by her cousins who reared her. She was thought at the 
 Hospital to have an average mind — by no means stupid. After her marriage to 
 Campbell she was very indolent, lying in bed late in the mornings and reading 
 novels. When she went out with her husband she was well dressed and attractive. 
 She was a very poor housekeeper, and though she employed two colored servants, 
 her house was always dirty and untidy. She had no abihty to manage them. 
 She was undoubtedly devoted to her husband and he to her. She died of influenza 
 in October, 1916. 
 
 Grandparents, Paternal. — Grandfather, Simon Campbell, about sixty-five 
 years old; came originally from Ohio. American. Had always been a steady 
 worker and a thoroughly respected man in Northtown; a member of the Board of 
 Education. Was a plumber until a severe operation for cancer made this im- 
 possible. Had worked since at munition inspection and in shipyards. A man who 
 always met his bills, well thought of by his neighbors and by his children. A 
 member of the Methodist Church, but not an attendant. Grandmother, Mrs. 
 Simon Campbell, fifty-nine years old; native of Pennsylvania; a slender woman of 
 medium height, with rather straggly gray hair and blue eyes. She looked a Uttle 
 hard and uncompromising at first, but one got a better impression after talking 
 with her. She had had a great deal of trouble in her life and it had saddened her 
 very much. A member of the Methodist Church, but the family were not regular 
 attendants. She suffered considerably from headaches. 
 
 Relatives, Paternal. — ^Aunt, Anna Campbell Andrews (Mrs. George Andrews), 
 twenty-six years old. Had been married four or five years and had a boy who was 
 a charming youngster. Mrs. Andrews was tall, broad-shouldered, had fair hair, 
 blue eyes, and very good features. She took vocal and piano lessons as a girl. 
 At the time of her marriage she had several pupils. She had a beautiful speaking 
 voice. She felt that it was not fair to her own family to take Robert. She expected 
 another baby in October. She said that she and her husband were struggling to 
 make a hving, and that all that they can get together would not be more than 
 enough to take care of their children and educate them. Aunt, Dorothy Campbell, 
 
 eighteen years old; a clerk for the Company in . A nice, quiet girl who 
 
 did not give her mother any cause for worry. Uncle, Henry Campbell, seventeen 
 years old; had a business training but preferred to work outside. A carpenter. 
 From his picture he looked Uke a good, self-respecting boy. 
 
 [20] 
 
The Campbell family was an average decent, American small-town fanuly. 
 They were people (with the exception of WilUam Campbell) who paid their bills, 
 owned their homes, and were apparently well thought of by neighbors. Their 
 home was an unpretentious frame house at the end of a short side street. There 
 were paved sidewalks and large trees in the yard. The lawn had not received much 
 care, and was badly worn down. Otherwise the house presented a very neat ap- 
 pearance. It was painted pale yellow, and had old-fashioned shutters. Inside it 
 was very spick and span. The furniture was old and not particularly good, but 
 the rooms were orderly and the wall-paper fresh and in good taste. There were 
 several old-fashioned pictures. On the piano popular music was piled high. It 
 is quite possible that with three people in the Campbell family working they 
 could, if they wanted to make the sacrifice, have cared for Robert. Henry earned 
 $21 a week, his father probably about the same, and his sister not very much less. 
 
 Grandparents, Maternal. — Grandfather, Egbert Green, lived in County, 
 
 . Was a farmer; married his first cousin, with whom he lived happily. Had 
 
 a large family, whom he appeared to love very much, but for whom he felt no 
 responsibility at his wife's death. After the children were taken by relatives he 
 disappeared. Was a fairly good worker, and provided for family until wife's 
 death. He owned a small farm, but sometimes went out to work by the day. 
 
 Grandmother, bom and brought up on a farm in County, . Had a 
 
 happy married life; very fond of her nine children. Had tuberculosis and died of 
 pneumonia. 
 
 Relatives, Maternal. — Eight uncles and aunts: two married uncles Uving 
 
 in County, ; one unmarried uncle, sixteen, in ; one aunt died of 
 
 kidney trouble; two died of tuberculosis; one of appendicitis. Cousins, Misses 
 Margaret, MilUe, and Janet O'Hara, three unmarried women Uving together at 
 
 Street, . They ranged in age from thirty to forty. They were pleasant, 
 
 cordial people of the middle class, and hard working; impressed one as highly 
 respectable. Their home was a well-kept, well-furnished, six-room apartment. 
 The two older women went out to work — one a stenographer in the Com- 
 pany, one a milUner. These three cousins took Ruth Green, Robert's mother, 
 after her mother's death, and brought her up as their own. 
 
 History of Parents. — Robert's mother died in October, 1916, and in January, 
 1917, his father remarried. In May, 1917, his father went west, leaving the boy 
 with the second Mrs. Campbell, and has never reappeared. The case came to the 
 attention of the agency in August, 1917, through the stepmother, who had herself 
 and her mother to support, debts to pay off, and could not keep Robert. 
 
 A thorough canvass of the relatives disclosed no one who was willing to take 
 the boy. His paternal grandmother and grandfather had paid debt after debt 
 for Robert's father, had opposed his second marriage, and took the stand that 
 since the second Mrs. Campbell had married a widower with a child, it was up to 
 her to support the child. They wrote her: "As for Robert, it is not up to us to 
 say what shall be done with him — that is for you and his father to settle." Al- 
 though they were interviewed by an agent, they absolutely refused to do anjrthing 
 for their grandson, even though the result of their refusal was to be the severing 
 of all connections between Robert and his own family. They were able financially 
 to care for him, but unwilling to do anything more for his father, and preferred to 
 see the child turned over to a charitable organization. The only maternal rela- 
 tives living whose address was known offered to put the child into a local orphan 
 
 [21] 
 
asylum, pay something toward his care, visit him there, and take him out for 
 occasional vacations. The agency refused this offer, feeling that so promising a 
 boy should have the advantages of a foster home. 
 
 Obviously the question confronting the agency was whether William Camp- 
 bell, the father, had intentionally abandoned his son and did not intend to reappear. 
 There had been one note from him to his wife in the four months since he had left. 
 Her letters to him had been returned unclaimed, and he had sent no money to her. 
 His address was unknown at that time and has remained imknown. The local 
 child-placing organization in the far western state to which he had gone was asked 
 to trace him. It was discovered that he had been involved in some petty thieving 
 and had been chased out of town. The police, who were communicated with, 
 were unable to trace him. An advertisement asking for information as to the 
 whereabouts of William Campbell wa^ published twice weekly for six weeks in 
 two papers. The two responses received threw no light on the movements of 
 Campbell. None of his relatives knew where he was or what his intentions were 
 with regard to Robert. When by March, 1918, no further information was forth- 
 coming about the whereabouts of Campbell, it was decided to place Robert in a 
 free home, which was done. By that time ten months had elapsed since the father's 
 disappearance. One reason why the agency felt safe in taking this risk was that 
 Campbell's character, as it was described by the numerous persons interviewed, 
 showed a deliberate dodging of responsibility and an instabiUty which made it 
 unlikely that he would reappear to assume an obligation. An affidavit of pubUca- 
 tion was secured from the two papers and a statement from Mrs. Campbell 
 showing Campbell's failure to support her or to communicate with her. 
 
 Child's Personal History. — A full-time baby; his mother was in splendid 
 physical condition before his birth. The birth was normal. Child weighed 12 
 
 pounds. Baptized in the Episcopal Church November 15, 1914, by the Rev. . 
 
 Received very poor care as a baby. Left to colored maids, who did as they pleased. 
 He was never trained. Taken, after his mother's death, by his paternal aunt, 
 Mrs. Andrews, who boarded him for his father. Taken by his stepmother after 
 his father's remarriage in January, 1917. Boarded by the S. C. A. A. after Sep- 
 tember 16, 1917. 
 
 Physical Examination, September 16, 1917: Diagnosis: Present health good; 
 scalp clean and healthy; eyes, ears, nose, pharynx, heart, lungs, skin, back, 
 arches, O. K.; five decayed teeth; tongue clean; large tonsils; large anterior 
 cervical glands on both sides; abdomen, genitals, negative; height, 3 feet 3^ inch; 
 weight, S0}4: pounds; nutrition good. Recommendations: To dental cUnic; 
 watch for sore throat; if throat is irritated often, tonsils should be removed. 
 Tests for Wassermann and gonococcal infection negative. 
 
 Mental Examination, September 16, 1917: Age, three years seven months; 
 mental age, three years four months: Intelligence quotient, 94. The tests show 
 this boy to be of average normal intelligence. He is endowed with a very steady 
 attention and remarkable powers of perseverance and endurance. Memory and 
 comprehension are normally developed. His cooperation was very good. This 
 child is very pleasant, well-mannered, and lovable. He is placeable in a good 
 home, where he will have a chance to develop his native abilities. 
 
 Personal Description: Blue eyes, golden hair, features rather large, but good, 
 skin fair and clear, expression friendly and alert; average height. 
 
 His stepmother reported him as very intelligent, mechanically inclined, very 
 
 [221 
 
observant, and persistent, good-humored, easily trained, and affectionate. He 
 showed quite unusual powers of concentration for so young a child. Although he 
 was shy with strangers, his affection for people whom he knew was strong and per- 
 sistent. He was a rather serious, self-contained little boy, used to playing alone 
 and amusing himself. It was clear that he had a decided character and needed 
 firm handling, in spite of his amiabihty. His boarding mother grew devoted to 
 him, and found him very teachable but strong willed. His stepmother reported 
 that he sat down one day in front of her sewing machine, and after remaining 
 perfectly quiet for about twenty minutes, explained to her accurately how it 
 worked. He was about four at the time. It was felt that he was a child with 
 possibilities decidedly above the average. 
 
 Sources of Information. — Information was obtained from: the stepmother 
 and her mother; the grandmother; the aunt; the three cousins; the superin- 
 tendent of the hospital where Mrs. Campbell worked; the head of the department 
 
 store where she worked; Sergeant of the hospital where Campbell worked; 
 
 the children's agency in the western state; the police in the same town, and from 
 several townspeople of Campbell's. 
 
 Time and money spent in the exhaustive investigation of an aban- 
 donment case are seldom wasted. Such inquiry is imperative to pro- 
 tect both the child and his foster parents, and to assure the agency that 
 it is socially and ethically j ustified in placing the child. Many agencies 
 have doubtless known cases of premature placing of children, supposed 
 to have been deserted, who should never have been placed. 
 
 For instance, one spring, about twenty years ago, this agency had 
 referred to it for placement two sisters of three and five. The institu- 
 tion which referred them stated that they were orphans, had been 
 deserted in the institution, and had been public charges for six months. 
 Without any investigation of the authenticity of these statements this 
 agency accepted and placed the children. It was several years before 
 the actual facts, which were as follows, were discovered : the children 
 had been placed there in an emergency; both parents were critically ill 
 with typhoid; the paternal grandmother was niu-sing them, and the 
 maternal grandmother was caring for the baby brother and an older 
 sister. The mother died ; the paternal grandmother had a breakdown, 
 due to worry and overwork, and the father was forced to go to work as 
 soon as he recovered, to pay his debts. In the mean time the family 
 assumed that the children were all right. It was about a year before 
 the family was reestablished sufficiently to apply to the institution for 
 the return of the children. When they arrived, they found that the 
 
 [23 1 
 
children had been * * given away ' ' to some agency for adoption. It took 
 the family several years to find what agency had taken the children, 
 who meantime were established in their foster homes. One was legally 
 adopted before the family's letter of inquiry was received. This letter 
 was the first information that the agency had about the circumstances 
 of the children's separation from their own family. 
 
 The errors made in this case are obvious. In the first place, the rec- 
 ord of the institution was incorrect in stating that the children's father 
 as well as their mother was dead; that the institution was unable — 
 or possibly unwilling — to give the address of the agency to the family 
 is an instance of a disastrous failure in the keeping of adequate rec- 
 ords. But the real blame rests on this agency for accepting without 
 verification the statements made in the institution's record. There 
 was not even the excuse that there were no clues to work on, for the 
 children's home address was given in the record. A visitor should, of 
 course, have been sent there to see whether there were surviving rela- 
 tives who could care for the children. The result of such negligence 
 was the permanent separation of two children from a family which 
 soon became entirely able to care for them, and which is in every way 
 a good family — a separation involving real suffering to that family. 
 
 An "Improper Guardianship" Case. — Child. — Catherine Tuttle, born April 26, 
 1912. 
 
 Father. — ^John Tuttle (if he is the father of this child; see personal history for 
 
 detailed information) was born in , Massachusetts, in 1878. Little is known 
 
 of his early history, but he is said to have come from American stock. When he 
 
 first came into the vicinity of he worked for Mrs. Tuttle's father as a farm 
 
 hand. He is said to have been very intemperate, and did not support his family 
 properly, so that he and his wife separated several times. The aunt, Mrs. Strong, 
 claims that she has heard that he used to bring men to the house in order that 
 they might have improper relations with Mrs. Tuttle. He deserted about seven 
 years ago, and has not been heard from since. He is a Protestant. 
 
 Mother. — CJora Strong Tuttle; Protestant; bom 1880, in the vicinity of . 
 
 Her mother left her when she was foiu* years old, and she was then taken by her 
 father's sister, Mrs. Graham, to Brooklyn, and brought up by her. According to 
 her aunt, Mrs. Strong, the girl had a fair education and never worked outside the 
 
 home except to help out relatives. Later she came back to , where she kept 
 
 house for her father until her marriage. About seven years ago she began going 
 with questionable characters and having them at the house. Various complaints 
 were brought against her character, and investigations were made by the Society 
 for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children covering a period of two years, with 
 
 [24] 
 
the result that in 1915 Mrs. Tuttle served six months on Blackwell's Island, on a 
 charge of having impaired the morals of her children. Mrs. Connell, Mrs. Tuttle's 
 aunt, feels that Mrs. Tuttle was early influenced by her father, and thinks that 
 he had improper relations with her when she was a child. Mrs. Tuttle is now 
 
 living near , keeping house for a farm hand, and living illegally with him. 
 
 She is a sUght, thin, nervous woman who is very talkative. At various times she 
 has gone out to do day's work. 
 
 Grandparents, Paternal. — George Tuttle and Mary Smith Tuttle. No infor- 
 mation could be obtained concerning them. 
 
 Grandparents, Maternal. — Robert Strong died in 1903. He was a Protestant 
 and of old American stock. He worked as a florist and farmer in the vicinity of 
 . He was always a heavy drinker, and in later years consumed large quanti- 
 ties of some medical preparation which was largely alcohol. He had deliriimi 
 tremens, and died of blood poisoning which was complicated by his alcoholic 
 condition. He is said to have had improper relations with his daughter, Mrs. 
 Tuttle, when she was a child. According to his sister-in-law, Mrs. Connell, he 
 was a very mean man, and would not give his family enough to eat. Before Mrs. 
 Tuttle's birth, Mrs. Strong was obliged to send one of the children to a neighbor's 
 for a crust of bread because she was too weak to go herself. 
 
 Relatives, Maternal. — ^Aunt, Mrs. George Harrison (Lena Strong). According 
 to the Strong family she was not much good, and left her two little children to go 
 and live with a man in Connecticut. According to her sister, Mrs. Connell, she 
 left her husband because he would not support her and took the children to his 
 mother's, getting a place at housework in the village. Uncle, Philip Strong, 
 
 Protestant, American, born in the town of . He was married and lived at 
 
 Street, . He was in the awning business, and at one time was a fireman. 
 
 Died in the almshouse at January 13, 1915, at the age of thirty-nine. Great 
 
 uncle, John Strong, is a farmer at . He has one son who is trying for an 
 
 army conmiission, and another son who is employed in a clerical position at . 
 
 The family are hard working and respectable, and much tried with Mrs. Tuttle. 
 They have helped the Tuttles at various times, and once took the family into their 
 
 home. Great aunt, Mrs. Clara Howard, Avenue, . She has lately 
 
 married a second time and has a comfortable little home. 
 
 Brothers and Sister. — ^Brothers: James, bom at September 23, 1901. 
 
 Was conmiitted April, 1913, by Judge , to the Asyliun as a disorderly 
 
 child (truant), where he is at present. William, bom in town of , , was 
 
 committed February, 1915, by Judge , to St. Institution because of 
 
 improper guardianship. He is at present in St. , where he is supported by the 
 
 town of . He is in 3 B grade, and is said to be good natured and affectionate. 
 
 Sister: Margaret, bom June 22, 1898. In 1914 complaint was made to the 
 S. P. C. C. of Margaret. It was investigated, but there was not suflficient evidence 
 to bring the case into court. In February, 1915, when the mother was sent to 
 
 Blackwell's Island, Margaret was sent to the Institution. She later ran 
 
 away from the institution and went to her mother in . She was later returned 
 
 to the institution. When seen in July, 1917, she had been discharged from the 
 institution and was at home with her mother. She was working in the gardens of 
 neighbors earning a dollar a day. She is an attractive looking girl, rather tall 
 with dark hair and eyes. 
 
 History of Parents.— Married in , May 9, 1898, by the Rev. , of the 
 
 [25 1 
 
Baptist Church. Verified from records of town of . In 1911 the man de- 
 serted and no trace has ever been found of him. Had occasionally deserted before. 
 
 Home Conditions. — When the family Uved in , the location of the home 
 
 was in a rather undesirable part of town. It was frequented by undesirable 
 characters. 
 
 Occupations. — ^The man was employed as a farm-hand or day laborer. After 
 the husband deserted, the woman went out for day's work and occasionally acted 
 as housekeeper. 
 
 Child's Personal History. — About eleven months before the child's birth Mr. 
 Tuttle deserted, but his wife claims that he came back once and is the father of 
 Catherine. Mrs. Strong states that at this time Mrs. Tuttle was going with ques- 
 tionable characters, and in her opinion the father of Catherine is Walter Engel, 
 about whom nothing could be learned. The child was in her own home from the 
 time of her birth until her commitment to an institution in February, 1915. She 
 is a chubby little girl with a happy expression. She talks very crooked, but is 
 quite friendly and affectionate. 
 
 Children Whose Parents are Physically or Mentally Abnormal. — 
 There will always be a certain number of children whose heredity is 
 such that the agency will question whether they will prove sufficiently 
 normal for family and community life. However, although the agency 
 may consider the risk of placing almost prohibitive, they often find 
 that lack of funds for the child's support makes placing him the only 
 course possible. The local poor law official, in New York state at 
 least, will not support a child indefinitely at public expense if a home 
 can be found for him. It often happens that these children of un- 
 promising history are among the most attractive children available, 
 and can almost always find a home, especially if they be young chil- 
 dren. The local poor official may not regard his history as a reason 
 why the child should not be placed in a free home, and if the agency 
 refuses the child, he is quite likely to place the child himself. He will 
 probably have no facilities either for investigating the home before- 
 hand or for supervising the child there later, and the chances are sHght 
 that the child will get the special environment which his handicap 
 necessitates. For this reason the agency may decide itself to place the 
 child, so that he can be kept under supervision, and if he later proves 
 a dangerous member of the community, be sent to a suitable institu- 
 tion. 
 
 The problem is particularly difficult when the child in question is so 
 young that it is possible only to guess at his probable development. 
 
 [26] 
 

 As so often happens, the appHcants may be much more attracted to 
 this child than to any of the others available. Whether or not the 
 agency places the child with them will be determined largely by the 
 intelligence of the family and their ability to comprehend what mental 
 ^b^pnnaMty means. One woman to whom the possible dangers in her 
 child's heredity were carefully explained remarked, "Oh, well, 
 I'll have him baptized and then I guess he'll be all right." Another 
 foster parent considering the same child might insist on reading the 
 mother's mental examination, and on knowing all the facts that could 
 be hunted out about the education, intelUgence, and practical ability 
 of the grandparents, uncles, and aunts. 
 
 In either case the safe and fair thing is undoubtedly to explain to 
 the prospective foster parents, in language adapted to their under- 
 standing, both the risks that they may be taking and the chances that 
 the child may develop normally, so far as these can be foreseen. 
 
 Following are three illustrative records: 
 
 First Case. — Child. — Ruth Gibson, born December 25, 1911. 
 
 Father. — A man of extremely bad character; degenerate and unreliable; 
 alcoholic. He killed his first wife by his brutal habits. He was nearly seventy 
 when Ruth was born. 
 
 Mother. — Nellie Jones, illegitimate, bom at a road-house and brought up by 
 her father and the woman with whom he was living. She was beaten and mal- 
 treated, taught to smoke and drink. Her foster mother was a dissolute, high- 
 tempered, erratic woman. Nellie went to school but was incapable of going 
 further than the eighth grade. Her foster mother committed suicide, and before 
 she drank the poison tried to make the girl drink it. Nellie was married at four- 
 teen, but deserted by her husband, who could not live in the same house with 
 NelUe's foster mother. Nellie worked as housekeeper for various men, one of 
 whom was the father of Ruth. She was finally committed to a reformatory in 
 1918, but later transferred to a State Custodial Asylum. Her mental examina- 
 tion showed a physical age of 24-10-12 years, and a mental age of 9-2-12 years. 
 She was pronounced feeble-minded; moron. Her Wassermann and gonococcal 
 infection tests were both negative. 
 
 Grandparents, Maternal. — Grandmother, Jennie Green; a prostitute of the 
 worst type. She lived most of the time at a low road-house. A driver told the 
 agent that he had never seen such disgusting sights as at this road-house. Jennie 
 was "a big, cow-like creature, silly, idiotic, who did not know enough to go in 
 when it rained." Grandfather, Albert Burns; came from good clean farmer's 
 stock, but was infatuated with Jennie. He led a wretched life with her, and died 
 of drink and tuberculosis. 
 
 Relatives, Maternal. — There were a number of decent and intelligent maternal 
 relatives, but they were unable to take the child. 
 
 [271 
 
Home Conditions. — When the agent began work on this case Ruth's mother 
 had been Hving with a negro for three years and was pregnant. During the 
 influenza epidemic conditions in the home were so frightful that the agent inter- 
 fered. Ruth was committed for improper guardianship December 20, 1916, by a 
 Justice of the Peace, and placed in an institution. 
 
 Child's Personal History. — The report of the child from the institution waa 
 entirely satisfactory. She was considered one of their most attractive children, 
 teachable, and with no bad habits. The agent who brought her to New York 
 found her affectionate and appeaUng, rather repressed, but with possibiUties of 
 initiative. She was shy, but friendly when she got used to people, amused herself 
 easily, showed good concentration, and seemed altogether normal. The boarding 
 mother, with whom she stayed about two weeks, confirmed these satisfactory 
 reports. 
 
 Her physical examination, made December 13, 1917, two days after her arrival 
 in New York showed good nutrition and no unfavorable symptoms. Her Was- 
 sermann and gonococcal infection tests were negative. 
 
 Personal Description: Ruth was tested mentally July 25, 1917. The report 
 was: Physical age, 5-7-12 years; mental age, 4-6-12 years. IntelUgence 
 quotient, 80; basic age, 3. The examiner said: It is impossible at this time to 
 determine the future mental status of this child. At present she is one year re- 
 tarded and does not seem very promising material; still, she should be given a 
 chance to develop. Her mental growth and school progress should be carefully 
 noted, and a mental examination given each year over a period of several years or 
 imtil her mental status is established. 
 
 A second mental examination, December 18, 1917, by a different psychologist, 
 showed heractualageassix years, and her mental age as five years and six months. 
 Her inteUigence quotient was 92. The examiner said: This child is considered of 
 average normal mentality. Her reasoning, observation, attention, and memory are 
 normal. She is a Uvely, talkative child, and is considered placeable in a good home . 
 
 The foster mother with whom Ruth was placed free, with the possibihty of 
 legal adoption some years later, did not care to know about the child's history, 
 as she did not beUeve in heredity. She said that she might some time wish to 
 know Ruth's history, but her main interest was in the personaUtyof the child 
 herself. The agency felt, however, that it was not fair to let her take Ruth with- 
 out knowing the main facts of her history, which were told her. It is, of course, 
 uncommon to find a family willing to take a child piu^ly on her own merits. In 
 this case the agency felt justified in placing Ruth there because the child's de- 
 velopment during the year that she had been under observation in institution 
 and boarding home had been normal and promising. If she had shown marked 
 retardation the agency would probably have hesitated to place her, even with a 
 family who did not worry about family history. 
 
 Second Case. — Child. — Richard Emmons, bom July 7, 1910. 
 
 Father. — Richard's father was a Swedish chauffeur of whom nothing was 
 known. 
 
 Mother. — Anna was immoral, and since the birth of Richard had had another 
 child by a different man. She was given a mental test in New York April, 1911, 
 Her mental age was under ten, and she would probably be classed as a moron. 
 The examiner said: "A mind of a primitive order and of moderate energy orig- 
 
 [281 
 
inally, operating with a low degree of self-restraint. The original low degree of 
 self-restraint has been affected by anti-social performances, so that it has suffered 
 an injury that is probably permanent and possibly progressive. There is nothing 
 to warrant the behef that she will avoid a repetition of her previous performances 
 unless put under some kind of restraint." The mother's Wassermann report soon 
 after Richard's birth was positive. 
 
 Relatives, Maternal. — The mother's parents lived in a comfortable looking 
 house with a good garden. They had a piano and very good furniture, and a horse 
 and some chickens. The man earned $1.75 a day. A brother of Anna was con- 
 sidered deUcate and not very bright. 
 
 Richard himself was a child of unusual charm and promise. His mental ex- 
 amination, made January 1, 1916, showed him to be of normal inteUigence. The 
 physical examination showed some heart irregularity. His Wassermann and 
 gonococcal infection tests were both negative. He was given an examination by a 
 specialist, who reported a slight functional heart irregularity but no valvular 
 disease. The second Wassermann test, made by this doctor, was negative. 
 
 Placement. — Richard was sent on a visit, on trial, to the family of an architect, 
 living in a charming remodeled farm-house. It was understood that he would 
 remain until they could decide whether they wished to keep him permanently. 
 They were given all the facts about his history. They wrote soon after he went 
 to them : " He is a marvel of poise and charm of personality. He is so well and we 
 feel sure he began to gain at once. I think he will show very marked development 
 right along. He seemed unusually bright mentally." Later on they reported that 
 he seemed unusually inteUigent and rational. "He has an exceptionally fine 
 personality, and seems quite unspoilable. A physician who had seen him recently 
 said the child was as perfect physically as a child could be. Mentally and tem- 
 peramentally he is thought quite unusual by every one who has come in contact 
 with him, and he is developing satisfactorily. He is instinctively refined, has good 
 perceptions, and is sensitive." Richard has continued to progress satisfactorily 
 and the family are now discussing adopting him legally. 
 
 In this case the personality of Richard was the factor which decided 
 the family to take the risk of trying him. If he had been a less attrac- 
 tive boy, it is probable that his heredity would have stood in his way. 
 In cases like this the visiting arrangement is often successful, as the 
 family do not feel bound and are able to make their decision in a 
 leisurely way, and after close and natural observation. Such an ar- 
 rangement should not, of course, be tried unless the presimaption is 
 strong that it will prove permanent, as the break later is extremely 
 hard on both the child and the parents. 
 
 Needless to say, not all children with family histories of this type 
 develop so normally and satisfactorily. There is necessarily a certain 
 proportion of failures. The following case illustrates such a history 
 and such a failure — a child removed by court order from her own 
 
 [29] 
 
wretched home, given expert care and medical attention before place- 
 ment, placed for ten months in an excellent country home, and finally 
 removed from the list of childrwi suitable for adoption. 
 
 Third Case. — Clara Michaels, bom February 3, 1915. 
 
 Father. — Anton Michaels, a fisherman. Extremely alcohohc; sentenced 
 fifteen times in the poUce court. Spent the winter following Clara's birth in the 
 penitentiary for disorderly conduct and non-support. Served six months, a year 
 later, for attacking his wife with a knife when she was in bed with influenza. Beat 
 his wife and children. Never supported his family, but spent his earnings for 
 himself. 
 
 Mother. — Emma Field Michaels, married at eighteen, after seeing Michaels 
 only three times. He had just finished serving a term for beating his mother. 
 She was an easy-going, slovenly housekeeper. She would buy candy instead of 
 food. Never washed the children's clothes. Neglected her children frightfully, 
 but was forced to go out to work to support them. Immoral; had an illegitimate 
 child while Anton was serving one of his jail sentences, and continued her 
 immoral relations after the children were removed from her care. 
 
 Child's Personal History. — ^A twin, born at home, in a filthy room with no fire 
 in it; no blankets or towels in the house. Irregularly fed on condensed milk; 
 had no clothes, but lay all day wrapped in a dirty quilt. Left alone for hours. 
 When she was fourteen months old she weighed only 10 pounds, was unable to lift her 
 head, cried with pain whenever she was moved, and had a white, expressionless 
 face. Boarded for a year under supervision of a nurse. 
 
 Placement. — At the age of three Clara was placed in an unusually fine farm 
 home, with a family who had brought up another baby placed by the agency. 
 At that time she was active, in good condition physically, and seemed normal, 
 except for her unusually large head and protuberant forehead. She had had a 
 negative Wassermann test. The family were informed of her history and previous 
 physical condition before they took her. 
 
 She remained here ten months, and was returned by the family because they 
 "had no affection for her" and found it impossible to train her. It was difficult 
 to teach her the simplest things. She had not learned to talk at all plainly, and 
 made "queer" faces continually. 
 
 For four months after this Clara was kept under observation in a boarding 
 home and visited also by a nurse. Her mental examination showed a year's re- 
 tardation. " Her reactions in general are odd. In the midst of a spell of weeping 
 a few words of reproach will set her laughing immoderately. Her speech is very 
 indistinct. She does not seem able to form sentences." Her boarding mother 
 said Clara was "silly." She drooled continually, and kept two fingers in her 
 mouth. She was very imitative, stubborn, and nearly impossible to train in habits 
 of cleanliness. Her speech remained defective, and the few remarks she made were 
 usually meaningless. 
 
 Although her mental retardation was not extreme, and might be due partly 
 to neglect, nevertheless her abnormally large head, pecuUar appearance, and her 
 "silly" behavior indicated that she was too unpromising to be placed. She was 
 returned to the care of the local poor law official, with the recommendation that 
 she be placed in a boarding home for further observation. 
 
 [30] 
 
CHAPTER II 
 THE SELECTION OF HOMES 
 
 The choice of foster homes has already been thoroughly discussed in 
 Monograph No. 1 of this series.* As that study is concerned largely 
 with boarding homes, and as the work of this agency is almost entirely 
 that of free home placing, it has been thought worth while to discuss 
 here some special aspects of the choice of free foster homes, based on 
 the experience of this agency. 
 
 When we place a child in a free foster home we feel that if every- 
 thing goes well he will be a member of that family for life. We have, 
 therefore, a sense of permanence about the arrangement. Consequently 
 we tend to transfer responsibility for the child from the agency to the 
 family. It is true that until he is of age or legally adopted the foster 
 child is actually a ward of the agency. Nevertheless, the agency pre- 
 fers not to stress that fact, except in certain crises of supervision. It 
 tries to give both child and family the sense that the child belongs, 
 first and last, to the family. It will not remove the child from his 
 foster home unless the foster parents insist upon it or imless the child's 
 interests will suffer if he stays there. The agency leaves to the initia- 
 tive and discretion of the family practically all plans for the child. 
 For example, suggestions for medical care, education, or for changes 
 in the household arrangements are rarely made by agents visiting chil- 
 dren in free homes. 
 
 Bearing in mind, then, that the free home presents a long vista in 
 the child's life, we should make our preliminary examination of it with 
 minuteness and foresight. The probabiUty that the family will ulti- 
 
 *"The Selection of Foster Homes for Children," by Mary S. Doran and 
 Bertha C. Reynolds, of the Boston Children's Aid Society. Published by the 
 New York School of Social Work, 105 East 22d Street, New York. Price, 35 
 cents. 
 
 31] 
 
mately adopt the child, thereby cutting loose from the society, is a 
 crucial factor. Because of it, we need to know not only the family's 
 past and present life: we must as far as possible foresee their future^ 
 the results of their influence on the child twenty years hence, and 
 their household life ten years from now, when the child has become 
 an estabUshed member of it. 
 NJ Investigations of Free Homes. — ^There is a minimum of fact in- 
 formation which must be secured concerning all homes. This includes 
 the nimiber and sex of the members of the family; their health, occu- 
 pations, reUgion, age, and their habits and reputations; their experi- 
 ence with children; the family income, insurance, investments, and 
 financial condition in general; the location and condition of the 
 house; and the family's standing in the neighborhood, as it is reported 
 by reliable members of the community. No investigation can be ade- 
 quate which fails to get these basic facts. No amount of personal 
 opinion on the part of the agent, no estimate of what the home offers 
 to a child, can be sound and trustworthy unless it is firmly grounded on 
 this essential knowledge. These facts do not represent the sum total 
 of the information that we need, but they form the indispensable 
 foundation for it. The references, as well as the family, are always 
 visited by the investigator. 
 
 Facts of Personality. — ^When all these facts about the family have 
 been secured, it is well to say to oneself, **How much do we really 
 know about this family?" It is possible to have page after page of 
 information about a home which, though close packed with facts, will 
 give no impression of the family life. We want to know not only what 
 the family income is and how many beds there are in the house, and 
 whether the family are regular church-goers: we must know in addi- 
 tion their ideals, their ambitions for the child, their ability to see his 
 point of view, the understanding between husband and wife, and, so 
 far as it can be gauged, what difference a child will make in their rela- 
 tions to each other. Knowledge of the kind of childhood which they 
 have had will often throw light on the kind of childhood which they 
 will create for their adopted child. How often a foster father will say, 
 **I never had a chance to go to school, but I mean to give my boy the 
 
 [321 
 
best education going,'* or, "My father used to lick me and I made up 
 my mind then that if I ever had a boy he wouldn't be licked." 
 
 It is fully as important to know of a man whether he is patient and 
 even tempered as to know whether he works steadily or whether he 
 owns his house. It is more important to know of a woman that she is 
 easy going and indecisive than that she is a careless housekeeper. A 
 child may grow up to be a satisfactory citizen in an untidy household, 
 but he has a poor chance of it if his foster mother changes her mind 
 about what he must or must not do every day or so. It will make a 
 vast difference in the later supervision whether the foster mother is 
 resourceful and self-reliant, or whether she is the kind of woman who 
 must run into the ojfice every week or two to ask what she can do with 
 little Ruth, who will tell fibs. If a foster father is going to be diffi- 
 cult to deal with in the event of trouble, it is well to know that be- 
 forehand. If either foster parent is intensely jealous, there will 
 probably be trouble in the household when a child is placed there. 
 
 One home failed entirely, although beforehand it had every ap- 
 pearance of being thoroughly satisfactory, because the foster mother, 
 an intensely affectionate and demonstrative woman, demanded of the 
 child, quite unconsciously, more affection than he could possibly give. 
 The child, a self-contained little boy who remembered his own mother, 
 could not so quickly transfer his affection to his new mother, and grew 
 strained and unhappy and in consequence disobedient. The woman 
 was not able to meet the situation any better than the child, and it 
 was finally necessary to remove him. If it had been realized before- 
 hand that she wanted a high degree of affection from a child, it would 
 no doubt have been possible to find the right child for her. Facts 
 about these intimate traits of personality are quite as important as — 
 one might say even more important than — ^the other information 
 which is always secured. It is, moreover, very naturally the hardest ^ 
 kind of information to get, involving as it does keen, close, and unpre- 
 judiced observation on the part of the investigator, and the asking of 
 questions which to the applicant and the references may easily seem 
 irrelevant and prying. 
 
 Unsuccessful Placements. — Many children's agencies would find, 
 3 [33 1 
 
if they examined the record of their unsuccessful placements, that the 
 failure was due, in cases where the family was at fault, not so much to 
 ignorance of the material circumstances as to ignorance of the tem- 
 peraments of the foster parents. It seems to us much more common to 
 have a home turn out badly because the wife is jealous of her hus- 
 band's affection for the adopted daughter or because a strong-willed 
 child refuses to be dominated by a bullying foster father than because 
 it is later discovered that the foster father has tuberculosis or the 
 family fail to pay their bills. The placement of a child in a family in- 
 volves changes quite as serious for the family as for the child, and the 
 mere fact that people are grown up does not mean that they have con- 
 trol over their likes or disUkes. Therefore it is essential to have some 
 idea as to how the entrance of a child into the household is going to 
 affect the family Hfe. One must remember that people who adopt 
 children have wanted them intensely, and have often perhaps idealized 
 them, and in most cases are expecting great things of them. With 
 people who are tolerant and open minded there is little danger in their 
 having thought out every detail of the child's future : where he is to 
 go to school and college, what prof ession he will follow, what friends 
 he will make, what he will read, what his tastes will be. Such people 
 will adapt themselves to the child's developing personality, and if he 
 prefers being a plumber to being a poet, they will accept it cheerfully 
 and send him to a technical school. But with people of set tastes and 
 imyielding will this kind of plan and foresight is full of pitfalls. They 
 will try to force the child into their pattern of hfe, instead of watching 
 him and discovering and encouraging his natural aptitudes. Such a 
 process is bound to prove disastrous, as the records of any child-plac- 
 ing agency will show. Either the child is unhappy and repressed or he 
 is actively disobedient. The strain is bound to show in him in some 
 way that produces friction and often leads to a break. It is too much 
 to hope that in any but the rarest cases such a family can be given a 
 child who will not disappoint them in most of their cherished projects. 
 Family's Reason for Desiring a Child. — In this connection it is im- 
 portant to know why the foster family want to take a child. The an- 
 swer to this question may be a simple one — the lack of children of 
 
 f 34 1 
 
their own, love for children, loneliness — but it is often made up of 
 complicated motives. One woman, calling at the office to ask about 
 getting a child, admitted on being questioned that her husband had 
 told her that he was tired of supporting a home just for her, and that if 
 she could not secure a child within a week he would leave her. Though 
 this is an extreme instance, there are in the experience of any child 
 placing agency a number of similar cases; women who feel that their 
 hold on their husband's afifections will be strengthened by the presence 
 of a child in the family, men whose wives are restless and discontented 
 and who, they think, will "settle down" if they have a child to care 
 for. Such motives for adoption, though they may enlist sympathy, 
 are open to the profoundest distrust. The axiom, "Do not place a 
 child in a home to reform the home, " has sound common sense behind 
 it. Two people whose relations are so precarious that they must have 
 a third person in the household to make life together possible are not 
 the people to deal wisely with the dehcate problems of a child's up- 
 bringing. They are themselves too insecure and puzzled to be able to 
 guide any one else. It should be remembered, in addition, that if re- 
 lations between husband and wife are strained, the presence of a new 
 and often disturbing third person in the family is quite as Ukely to 
 precipitate trouble as to mitigate it. 
 
 Friction in the Household. — Very often a woman will say that her 
 husband "doesn't care" if she takes a child; that he says that "it is 
 up to her." In such cases a thoroughgoing discussion with the hus- 
 band is imperative. Very often his apparent indifference means merely 
 that he prefers to leave the choice of the child to his wife; but, on the 
 other hand, it frequently develops that he is at bottom opposed to the 
 plan, thinking that it is too costly or that his wife is too unstable or 
 that his family will object, and that he lacks the courage to tell his 
 wife so openly. A placement made under such conditions obviously 
 has small chance of success. 
 
 The essential condition of a successful placement is undoubtedly a 
 good understanding between the foster parents. Agreement on the 
 fundamentals of child training, a conmion impulse, the mutual tol- 
 
 35 
 
erance which can weather domestic storms, are all basic necessities. 
 No investigation can be adequate which fails to get at these facts. 
 
 It is always valuable to know of any family what member has the 
 strongest personality. It is that person with whom you will have to 
 deal in supervision and that person whose influence on the family Ufe 
 and on the child's development will be most decisive. 
 
 Agreement Between Family and Agency. — The foster family, after 
 they have taken the child into their home, are required by this agency 
 to sign, in duplicate, a statement of their obligations fb the agency 
 and the child. This statement, a printed form, drawn up by the 
 agency, includes among other things, their promise to send the child 
 regularly to school, for at least as long a period as the state law re- 
 quires, to give him rehgious training, to make him in every way a 
 member of the family and to furnish medical care and suitable cloth- 
 ing. They promise also not to transfer the child to the custody of 
 any other person without the consent of the agency. On its side, 
 the agency promises not to remove the child from the family unless 
 conditions in the home are later found to be injurious to the welfare 
 of the child. Until legal adoption takes place or until the child is of 
 age, the Association remains in the position of legal guardian to the 
 child. The agent is expected to explain this to the family during the 
 investigation. 
 
 Explaining Future Supervision. — In making the first call upon the 
 foster family the agent should prepare the way for the subsequent 
 visits of supervision. She should explain the agency's method of keep- 
 ing in touch with its foster children, and enlist the family's friendly in- 
 terest in the arrangement. She may approach the question from the 
 point of the possible help which the agency can give the family — for 
 instance, in advising them about doctors and schools. Some famiUes 
 who submit to the original investigation may balk at supervision; 
 they don't want any one ''poking into " their family affairs. Of course 
 they know how to bring up a child — they wouldn't be asking for one if 
 they didn't. Such an attitude bodes ill for friendliness between 
 agency and family, and should certainly be set straight before the 
 child is placed. Most families, however, are glad to know that the 
 
 136] 
 
visitor will keep track of the child and that they may call upon the 
 society for advice. 
 
 Explaining Adoption. — ^At the same time the visitor should discuss 
 adoption with the foster parents, explaining the length of time which 
 must elapse between placement and adoption and what the procedure 
 is. She should make it clear that the family are not obHged to adopt, 
 and that the agency is not compelled to give its consent for adoption. 
 
 Explaining Possible Difficulties with the Child. — Many famihes 
 applying for children have no idea of the wretchedness of the child's 
 own home, of the appalling sights which may be burned in on his 
 memory, of the long patient training that may be needed to offset 
 years of neglect and misery. Telling the foster parents too much of 
 this may shock them or alarm them so that they will drop their idea 
 of taking a child. But they should certainly understand something of 
 it, otherwise the child's faults will seem to them superhumanly bad 
 and they will have no understanding of what suffering may lie back 
 of them in his mind. The visitor should certainly explain to them / 
 that the great majority of these children have lacked training not only 
 in table manners, but in the rudiments of decent Hving; that they have 
 been hungry, cold, and half-naked most of their lives. The family 
 should understand that they cannot expect to get a child who will 
 be suitable in every way for introduction to their friends and family 
 the first Sunday after his arrival, nor a child who will show only the 
 usual naughtiness of childhood. They should be prepared to deal with 
 real difficulties. This should usually be explained to them con- 
 cretely. ** How do you feel about deahng with a child who may steal?' ' 
 
 There is another side to this preliminary warning. Not only is the 
 family thus prepared, but the agency knows what it may expect from 
 the family. If a foster mother is startled and shocked at the idea of a 
 child who steals, — "Oh, I wouldn't want a had child,"— the agency 
 has some idea about the kind of child who would get on in that home. 
 
 That foster families have sometimes astonishingly Uttle imagination 
 about the past hves of these dependent children was shown recently, 
 when a foster mother was talking with a girl of nine whom she was 
 considering taking. The foster mother had been told something of the 
 
 [371 
 
child's story: a decent mother had died in childbirth, a father who 
 spent most of his wages in drink, a poor home and a big family. As she 
 shook hands with the child, the foster mother remarked disapprov- 
 ingly, '* Haven't you been taught to curtsy when you are intro- 
 duced to people?" This child had been with the younger children 
 alone in the house while her mother died and her drunken father was 
 on a spree; she had mothered the two terrified little brothers until the 
 neighbors could get there. But she hadn't learned to curtsy! It is 
 interesting to note that this woman made a complete failure with a 
 very promising girl when she later took her into her home. 
 
 Choice of Neighborhood. — The agent making her first examina- 
 tion of a possible foster home should explore somewhat the character 
 and possibilities — ^bad or good — of its neighborhood. Generally 
 speaking, a home which is good enough is in a neighborhood which is 
 good enough, but some decent families may live in so unsuitable a 
 place that their application must be refused; overcrowded slums, for 
 instance, or remote country places where the people have degenerated, 
 or districts where the school faciUties are hopelessly inadequate. 
 
 A danger of frequent occurrence in choosing foster homes is that of 
 being taken in by the foster home thatf offers undoubted material ad- 
 vantages, but material advantag;^s oniy. Every placing-out agency 
 must be familiar with this kind^/bf family: well to do, able to give a 
 child every worldly advantage, but lacking in judgment, ideals and 
 soundness. The friends of such a family and the family themselves are 
 always loud in their admiration of the advantages that will surround 
 any child placed there. It is often hard to resist such an offer, al- 
 though one's better judgment tells one that for most children there is 
 greater safety in the long run in a simpler home where there is com- 
 mon sense and a conservative standard of morals. 
 
 "Risky" Placements. — ^All these considerations bring us to the 
 question, "Should one make placements which may prove failures?" 
 This is one of the challenging problems of child care, and the answer 
 to it cannot be a straightforward "yes" or "no." 
 
 It would doubtless be granted by all child-placing agencies that 
 every placement is a risk, both for family and child. No combination 
 
 [38] 
 
of human beings in an intimate relationship can be made without risk. 
 Never can one say absolutely that such and such a child is sxire to be a 
 success in such and such a home. What those risks are has already 
 been discussed; the family may demand an impossible response from 
 the child, either emotionally or intellectually, and be incapable of 
 adapting their demands to the child's capacity; there may be jealousy 
 or a conflict of wills between husband and wife over the training of the 
 child; incompatibility of temperament may develop between the child 
 and his parents as he grows older; the discipHne may be so lax that the 
 child becomes entirely self-willed and self-indulgent, or it may be so 
 strict that the child is repressed and unhappy. Or the child may prove 
 so difficult that his training is a constant strain on his parents. All 
 these risks are latent in nearly every placement, and the best that one 
 can do is to know the family and the child as thoroughly as possible 
 beforehand and to try to choose the safest home for each child. 
 
 Since any placement — even in the best of homes — ^has in it the seeds 
 of failure, it seems tempting fate to choose deliberately a doubtful 
 home. One's principle should certainly be to use only the homes pre- 
 senting the minimum of risk. There are two sides to this hesitation; 
 the family's and the child's. However mixed may have been the 
 motives which induced a family to take a child in the first place, they 
 usually end by developing a sincere affection for him. It is a truism 
 that a genuine and intense love of children is compatible with dis- 
 honesty, hardness, and vice. The family may, after one has decided 
 to take the risk and placed a child with them, develop any number of 
 flagrant faults and still be sincerely devoted to the child. If the child 
 has to be removed later, they will undoubtedly suffer. Especially in 
 homes where the husband and wife may have disagreed beforehand is 
 the wrench severe. Moreover, there is the sense of possession that 
 normally develops. The foster parents feel that the child belongs to 
 them, and it is unthinkable to them that he should be taken away. It 
 is unfair to subject any family to this strain if it can be foreseen and 
 avoided. Better to refuse their application in the first place, although 
 they may say, "Give us a trial and if you are not satisfied at the end 
 of six months you can take the child back." It is obvious that they 
 
 [39] 
 
would protest vehemently if the society took them at their word and 
 removed the child at the end of six months. 
 
 On the other hand, there is the child's side of the matter to be con- 
 sidered. It is natural for a child, particularly a little child, to take 
 root quickly, even in a home where he may be unhappy or unkindly 
 treated. His instinct is to stay where he is rather than to risk other 
 dangers in a strange environment. To uproot him is to unsettle him 
 profoundly, to make him distrust you and people in general, and to 
 throw him back into his former feeling of regret at leaving his own 
 home. 
 
 There are certain generalizations which one can make about when 
 to risk and when not to risk a placement about which one is uncertain. 
 There are so many more homes available for all young children of fair 
 history than there are children available that there is no reason for 
 using a home which may turn out badly. In fact, for almost all the 
 normal and fairly attractive children there are enough reasonably safe 
 and good homes. There is one exception to this, and that is the 
 scarcity of homes for boys between seven and twelve. In their case 
 one may feel forced to use a home which presents some undesirable 
 features, for the simple reason that no other home is open. But for 
 some tjTDes of children, for example, those of umpromising history, of 
 imattractive personality, of limited possibilities, the doubtful home 
 may be the only alternative to an institution. In such a case it usually 
 seems fairer to the child to give him a chance in a home which, doubt- 
 ful as it may be, is yet closer to actual life than the artificial environ- 
 ment of the institution, for he may have in such a home a better 
 chance of preparation for living. 
 
 Records of Foster Home Investigations 
 An Approved Home. — The home which is described as follows is a 
 good example of the best tj^pe of foster home — not wealthy, but sub- 
 stantial and sound: 
 
 Application of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hasbrouck. 
 
 Home. — ^The apartment is on one of the main streets, nearly opposite the pub- 
 lic library. It is over a block of stores. The entrance has been kept clean, and 
 
 [40] 
 
the brick is still comparatively fresh, though the white plastered walls are some- 
 what soiled. The apartment is on the third floor, and well planned and convenient 
 in every way. There are six rooms and bath; it is heated by steam and lighted 
 by electricity. It is Ught and well ventilated. It has hardwood floors, but is 
 furnished in an inexpensive way, in simple good taste. They have a piano and a 
 victrola. It is well kept up in every particular. 
 
 For the last few years they have rented a cottage at Beach, where they 
 
 have one of a group of cottages on a farm and spend the entire summer. Mr. 
 Hasbrouck goes back and forth to business in his Dodge car. The cottage has 
 modern conveniences, but is furnished in a very simple way. 
 
 Occupations. — Mr. Hasbrouck has always been in the hardware business. 
 He worked his way up from the time he was a boy and for the last five years has 
 
 been a member of the firm of and , Main Street, . This is a first 
 
 class firm and has a good trade. Mr. Hasbrouck expects the firm to dissolve in 
 the fall, and he is going to have the entire business. He estimates his net income 
 at about $5000 a year, and says the stock in the business is worth about $2500. 
 He has no other investments. He carries about $11,000 life insurance. They 
 do not own any real estate. Mrs. Hasbrouck has never been in business. 
 
 History and Family. — Mrs. Hasbrouck is an American, thirty-four years of 
 age. She would be good looking only she is too stout. She has regular features, 
 brown hair which is waved, and gray eyes. She wore a simple embroidered blouse 
 and plaid skirt. She is not well educated, but has refinement and uses good Eng- 
 lish. She has a good deal of poise, and is naturally reserved and quiet so that one 
 does not feel acquainted with her in one visit. She seems inteUigent and impresses 
 one as a capable, practical person. She is positive and has depth of feefing. It 
 was hard for her to mention her baby who died. She is not at all temperamental 
 or emotional, and has a pleasing personality. She seems sincere and natural. 
 
 Mr. Hasbrouck is an American, thirty-eight years of age. He is well built and 
 has a youthful, boyish, pleasant face, rather prominent rounded features, brown 
 hair and gray eyes. He is slightly bald. He is particular about his personal ap- 
 pearance. He has a genial manner, it is evident that he is fond of children, and 
 agent got the impression that he understands them and would be a sort of big 
 brother. He said he knows it is quite an undertaking, but he feels it is worth 
 while. He seems simple and sincere; a good alert business man and devoted in 
 his family circle. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hasbrouck had one son, bom two years ago, who only lived 
 twenty-four hours. Mrs. Hasbrouck had a hard time when the baby was bom, 
 and the child was not strong enough to live. She says she has recently had an 
 examination, and her physician knows of no reason why she should not have more 
 children. 
 
 Mrs. Hasbrouck's mother, Mrs. William Davis, makes her home with them. 
 She is a woman between sixty and seventy years of age. She has a bright, in- 
 telligent face, white hair, and gray eyes. She is much more lively than her 
 daughter, and is quite a remarkable woman for her age. She is bright and in- 
 teresting to talk to, and evidently comes from a good old-fashioned family, of 
 which she is very proud. She feels it will be a splendid thing for Mr. and Mrs. 
 Hasbrouck to take a child. 
 
 Mrs. Hasbrouck was born in . Her father is dead. He owned a mill in 
 
 and was prominent in civic affairs. He was treasurer in one of the municipal 
 
 [411 
 
departments, a member of the Board of Education, and a member of the Board of 
 
 Aldermen. Mrs. Davis was brought up in the Convent, . There were 
 
 three children in the family, one of whom died in early childhood. Mrs. 
 Hasbrouck had two years in High School and then specialized in music. She 
 was a student at the Conservatory of Music in , and had fine violin instruc- 
 tion. Her brother is a graduate of the Technical Institute and an engineer. 
 
 Mr. Hasbrouck was bom in but has lived in since childhood. He 
 
 and Mrs. Hasbrouck grew up together. His father is a cabinet worker. Mr. 
 Hasbrouck had a grammar school education and studied music. Two of his 
 sisters are graduates of the Normal School. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hasbrouck were married February 1, 1907, at , by the Rev. 
 
 . Mrs. Hasbrouck's maiden name was Margaret Davis, and it is the only 
 
 marriage for both. After marriage they lived at , where Mr. Hasbrouck had 
 
 a hardware business. They have lived in their present town for the last eight 
 years. 
 
 Mrs. Hasbrouck's brother, Mr. Walter Davis, is an engineer in the South. 
 
 Mr. Hasbrouck's brother, George Hasbrouck, lives at . His brother Albert 
 
 lives in and has a large dry-goods store. His sister is the wife of the Rev. 
 
 ,of . 
 
 The atmosphere of their home seems most harmonious. Mrs. Davis spoke of 
 her son-in-law's consideration for her and she evidently thinks as much of him as 
 if he were her son. Mr. and Mrs. Hasbrouck have musical tastes, and it seems to 
 be rather a complete family circle, except for the absence of children. 
 
 They are all members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Hasbrouck is a tenor 
 soloist in St. John's Church, and Mrs. Hasbrouck is organist. Mr. Hasbrouck is 
 
 a member of the Lodge and the Club. They are both athletic and enjoy 
 
 outdoor sports. They are both good swimmers and Mr. Hasbrouck plays golf. 
 Mrs. Hasbrouck says the boys are so fond of him that they wait until he gets 
 there at night to go swimming; they say it is no fim without him. He plays 
 ball with all the children. 
 
 Family's Plan for Child. — Mr. and Mrs. Hasbrouck want to take a boy be- 
 tween the ages of three and eight for adoption. They do not object to the child 
 being a foundhng or illegitimate. They would like to know as much as they can 
 of the history, but feel that with a child as old as this they can tell pretty well how 
 he is going to develop, and except for hereditary diseases or mental deficiency or 
 insanity, would probably consider one of average history. They do not care 
 particularly for the student type, but want a happy-natured, responsive, intelli- 
 gent boy who would be refined enough to take into their home. Mr. Hasbrouck 
 would Hke to take him into his business, but would want the boy to develop along 
 his own lines. He would not force him to do anything that was not interesting 
 to him. They would want to give him a High School education. They would 
 like him to join the church choir. 
 
 References. — Mrs. WilUam Downs, Avenue, , is probably Mrs. 
 
 Hasbrouck's most intimate friend. She lives in an unpretentious part of the 
 town, but has an attractive home. She and her husband have adopted a baby 
 who is now about a year old. Mrs. Downs has known the family for five or six 
 years, and sees them every little while. She spoke very highly of them, and thinks 
 that in every way it would be a very good home for a child. She says they both 
 love children, and that waiting so many years for them and then losing their baby 
 
 [42] 
 
has been most hard for them. Mrs. Downs considers Mrs. Hasbrouck an ex- 
 ceedingly capable person. She says she is very domestic. She is quiet and re- 
 served, and it took Mrs. Downs some time to know her. She says she is very 
 sincere and warm hearted and well balanced. She seems very well and enjoys 
 making baby clothes for her friends' babies. Mrs. Hasbrouck comes from a good 
 family, and her mother, Mrs. Davis, is an interesting, rather remarkable woman. 
 Mr. Hasbrouck has a good business, is Uvely and happy-natured, and has a much 
 more temperamental disposition than his wife, who has a very even disposition. 
 All the children are fond of Mr. Hasbrouck, and Mrs. Downs thinks that he would 
 make a very good father. 
 
 Mr. Henry Robbins is with the Title and Insurance Company. He is a 
 
 real estate man. His office is at the corner of Main Street. He is a middle-aged, 
 intelligent man. He says Mr. Hasbrouck has rented his store from him for five 
 years and that he has every confidence in him. Mr. Hasbrouck and Mr. Dean 
 have the business together, Mr. Dean had the capital to start it, and Mr. Has- 
 brouck has been his sole business manager. Mr. Dean is a very "cranky" man, 
 and it takes a good deal of tact to get along with him. Mr. Robbins understands 
 that the firm is to dissolve and that Mr. Hasbrouck will either continue it or start 
 another business. Mr. Hasbrouck is a bright, successful man, and his impressions 
 of him have been favorable in every way. He has met his wife a few times and 
 she seems a motherly person. Further than this he knows nothing about them. 
 
 Independent Reference. — Wife of Dr. Peters, Street, . Mrs. 
 
 Peters has a pleasant apartment on the second floor of the house in which the 
 Hasbroucks Hve. She says that she and Dr. Peters have known the Hasbroucks 
 ever since they have hved in town. She has Uved in the house with them about 
 a year, and feels well acquainted with them. Dr. Peters took care of Mr. Has- 
 brouck when he had influenza. She and Dr. Peters have been favorably impressed 
 with the family. They seem to be nice people. Mr. Hasbrouck is very happy- 
 natured; they usually hear him whistling when he comes home. Mrs. Hasbrouck 
 is much more quiet and reserved. She has felt the loss of her baby so much that 
 she can hardly touch Mrs. Peters' child. Mrs. Peters feels that their standards 
 of hving are high, and that Mrs. Hasbrouck would make a capable mother. She 
 spoke well of Mrs. Davis also, 
 
 Mr. Lines, of the Lines and Lines Co. , has known Mr. and Mrs. Has- 
 brouck for the last five or six years, both in a business way and socially. His 
 parents have been more intimate with them. His mother used to be an 4»ganist 
 
 in the church and Mr. Hasbrouck was a soloist. He sings in a number of 
 
 churches. Mr. Lines says that this is a splendid family; every one likes Mr. 
 Hasbrouck and he does not know of his having an enemy. He and Mr. Dean 
 have had the business together, but Mr. Hasbrouck is now buying out Mr. Dean 
 and will have the whole business. Mr. Dean has been very difficult to get along 
 with, and Mr. Lines does not see how Mr. Hasbrouck has managed so well. Mr. 
 Hasbrouck is a man of high principles and a devoted husband — absolutely 
 temperate. His chief diversion is his music. He is very happy natured and fond 
 of children. Mr. Lines beUeves he would be a good father and that Mrs. Has- 
 brouck would make a good mother. She seems to be inteUigent and domestic 
 and sensible. He does not know Mrs. Hasbrouck's mother. Mr. Lines feels 
 that we could not possibly make any mistake in placing a child with them, that 
 it would be well brought up and would have all the necessary advantages. 
 
 [43] 
 
Agent's Opinion. — ^Agent recommends the home very highly. It seems to be 
 a rather unusual chance for a little boy where he will be brought up well and have 
 a most happy childhood. Agent thinks Mr. and Mrs. Hasbrouck are just the 
 right type of people to make good parents. 
 
 Probably the first feature of this investigation to strike one is the 
 discriminating estimate of Mr. and Mrs. Hasbrouck. One feels that 
 one really knows what sort of people they are, how they would behave 
 in a crisis and in every-day affairs. One could count on them. Their 
 tastes, their similarities and differences of temperament, the way the 
 neighbors feel about them, are all clearly pictured. Their home Ufe, 
 the tone of the environment in which the child will grow up, is sharply 
 felt by the agent, and in consequence plainly stated. The necessary 
 facts are given regarding income, history, etc., and if the family should 
 unaccountably disappear some day, one would have an ample number 
 of clues by which to trace them. If it should become necessary some 
 day to look up further the antecedents of Mr. and Mrs. Hasbrouck — 
 and this may happen with any family, however good — ^there are 
 enough connections given by means of which one could get the nec- 
 essary facts. Every agency has doubtless had the experience of need- 
 ing suddenly a whole new set of facts about some family. In such a 
 case the names of former acquaintances, of previous firms with which 
 the applicant may have been associated, the addresses at which they 
 formerly lived, the standing and occupations of other members of 
 their famiUes, have proved invaluable guides. In this case it would 
 probably be possible to trace the movements of both Mr. and Mrs. 
 Hasbrouck from childhood to the present time. It is well to remember 
 in investigating the best of homes that the business of placing children 
 is full of surprises — often of an unpleasant sort — and that no amount 
 of experience can prepare one for what may happen next. The only 
 safeguard is as much information as can reasonably be assembled. 
 Then, if something goes wrong, one has the facts to work on. 
 
 The references in this investigation were, of course, all personally 
 interviewed. The fact that two were men, familiar with Hasbrouck's 
 business standing, and two women, familiar with the home life, is a 
 strong point. Men often will be found less discriminating than women 
 
 [44] 
 
on the important points of the personality of the appUcants and on 
 their home Hfe. Women naturally are not usually up on matters of 
 business and finance. Both are necessary as complementary refer- 
 ences. These references are not only well informed, but reliable, a fact 
 the importance of which cannot be overestimated. Every experienced 
 investigator will spend some careful thought on the character of her 
 references: are they reliable, well informed, prejudiced by some per- 
 sonal interest, or the kind of people who ** never speak ill of any one "? 
 Are they interested in seeing the family get a child to the exclusion of 
 their interest in what may happen to the child in that home, as so 
 frequently is the case? Ask them in that case how they would feel 
 about having their own child in the home and see the difference in 
 their attitude. It might be good enough for a ''charity child," but 
 their own child — that is another matter. These references are specific 
 as well. Too general a reference may be dangerous — ^it may cover a 
 multitude of sins. It should always be challenged in the mind of the 
 investigator. Often the only way to deal with this tendency on the 
 part of references — and it is the natural way for many people to re- 
 spond — is to ask specific and pointed questions, even at the risk of 
 antagonizing slightly. But it can usually be done without antagoniz- 
 ing. It is not a sufficient recommendation when the reference says, 
 "Oh! they are lovely people. You won't make any mistake giving 
 them a child. They are awfully fond of children. It would be a fine 
 home." One needs to know in addition how much experience they 
 have had with children, how they get on together, whether the neigh- 
 bors like them, whether they pay their bills, what their relatives are 
 like, whether they are even tempered — ^in short, the agent will wish to 
 confirm almost all the facts and impressions which she has received 
 from the family themselves. 
 
 In the work of the State Charities Aid Association it has been found 
 preferable to see the applicants themselves first and the references 
 later.* The value of this order lies in the fact that it then is possible 
 for the agent to approach the family with an unbiased mind and to 
 
 * In this respect the work of this agency differs from that of some other agencies. 
 See Monograph No. 1 of this series. 
 
 [45] 
 
check her findings later by the evidence of the references. It is true 
 that by this method it is sometimes necessary for the agent to go back 
 to the family and question them further on some point not brought 
 out in her first visit, but indicated by a reference. But for once that 
 she has to do this there will probably be twenty cases where the other 
 method elicits more information. 
 
 A noteworthy factor in this investigation is the focus of it. It will 
 be noticed that practically everything quoted from the references 
 bears directly on how they think a child will get on in this home. In 
 other words, general considerations have very Uttle place in the agent's 
 opinion; she keeps steadily in mind the fact of the child's welfare. 
 She keeps the talk strictly on the point; that is, how will the char- 
 acters and circumstances of these people affect the life of the child? 
 
 The report which follows is of an approved home and is quoted in 
 full. The written references were satisfactory, but not very full. 
 
 Application of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gregory, Street, N. Y. C. 
 
 Family. — Mrs. Gregory is a Russian, thirty years of age. She is a slight, 
 pretty woman, with rather small, regular features. She has a low forehead, soft 
 brown hau*, and hazel eyes. She has a very gentle, eager expression, and a low, 
 musical voice. She is of the refined type, and seems very quiet and is motherly 
 in the highest sense. She is a woman of a great deal of inteUigence and was well 
 educated in Russia. Her EngUsh is very imperfect, but she does not use slang. 
 
 Mr. Gregory is a Russian, thirty-four years of age. He is a man of rather 
 small stature, regular features, curly hair which is shaved close except for one lock 
 in front, and a mustache which curls on the ends. He has an interesting, ani- 
 mated face and poUshed manners, and he uses very good English, though his 
 vocabulary is Umited. He seems to be an energetic, ambitious man, who is par- 
 ticular and strict, but very good natured and fond of his family. 
 
 Their daughter, Marie, is ten years of age. She is a large child, with blond 
 hair which is docked, and gray eyes. Marie has a large nose and is not of as re- 
 fined a type as her parents. She looks strong and healthy, though she is pale. 
 She is very bright and studious, and one can tell she is well brought up. She 
 was nicely dressed and was clean. Marie is in the sixth grade in school, and is 
 one of four children who has recently been promoted to another school where 
 they will take the last two grades in one year. 
 
 History. — Mrs. Gregory was bom in the southern part of Russia. She is a 
 high school graduate and taught in grammar school for two and a half years. 
 Her father and brothers and sisters are in Russia. Her mother is dead. Her 
 father had a large farm; one brother is a high school graduate and is a post office 
 clerk, and the other brother is in high school. Mr. Gregory was born in southern 
 Russia. He had a high school education, and was a post office clerk between 
 seven and eight years. His grandfather and father were both priests in the 
 
 146] 
 
Protestant Church. His father had a farm. His parents and brother and sister 
 are hving in Russia. Mr. and Mrs. Gregory were married May 22, 1905, in 
 Russia, by a priest in the Protestant Church. Before leaving Russia Mr. Gregory 
 was superintendent of the postal clerks in the city where they Uved. Their 
 house was given to them, and they had the use of the garage and kept two ser- 
 vants. They evidently Uved very comfortably. Mr. Gregory came to America 
 in 1911, and his wife and daughter joined him in March, 1913, and they have lived 
 at their present address since coming here. Mr. Gregory has taken out his first 
 citizenship papers. He has found it hard to make a Hving in New York because 
 of his inability to speak English. He has worked in different laundries on collars 
 and cuffs. A little more than a year ago he secured work in Boston, through 
 friends, as an inspector earning $50 a week. Owing to his being a Russian he lost 
 the work, as the Russians were no longer employed in this capacity. Mr. Gregory 
 is attending night school at a college four nights a week. Agent saw a certificate 
 on the wall showing that he had completed a course in mechanical construction 
 of airplanes. He has nearly finished the course in physics. His ambition is to 
 become an electrical engineer. 
 
 Home. — The neighborhood in which the Gregorys Hve is not particularly de- 
 sirable, but they are within walking distance of Park. They live on the top 
 
 floor of a large old tenement house. The stairs of white stone look as though they 
 had never seen water, and the house is very unprepossessing in every way. They 
 have a flat of four rooms, two of which are very small, and bath. The house has 
 steam heat, but was very cold the day agent was there, and the people Uving 
 several floors below spoke as though the house was always hard to heat. The 
 Gregorys' flat was clean, but not very orderly. The floors are painted and with- 
 out rugs, and there is scarcely any furniture or decorations of any kind. Just 
 one room is used for sleeping, and this has two beds which have good mattresses 
 and were clean. The family take their meals in the small kitchen. 
 
 Finances. — Mr. Gregory earns between $30 and $35 a week. He haS saved 
 about $300 since coming to America, and they have money in Russia. They be- 
 lieve in depriving themselves of all that they can in order to get a good education, 
 and Mr. Gregory wants his daughter to go to college. He said with pride that 
 his wife has even offered to get work if necessary. He is beginning to set aside 
 some money for the child whom they hope to take for adoption. They are evi- 
 dently able to live very carefully and Mrs. Gregory is probably a good manager. 
 
 Social Connections. — ^The Gregorys are Protestants, and attend a nearby 
 church. Their school is also within a few blocks of the house. They are looking 
 forward to living in a better neighborhood, where they will meet nicer people, 
 and said that possibly they would move next summer if they took a child. Mrs. 
 Gregory has made friends with two Russian families in the house, but she says 
 she does not hear very good Enghsh spoken by her associates. 
 
 Child Desired. — The Gregorys want to take a Uttle boy between the ages of 
 two and five years for adoption. They would not be particular about heredity, 
 if the child is bright and attractive. The type of child does not make much 
 difference to them. They have always been disappointed because they have not 
 had a son to bear their name, and feel that they do not want to wait longer before 
 taking one, as they would rather have the two children grow up together. 
 
 References. — Mrs. Menchen, Street, N. Y. C. Mrs. Menchen lives on 
 
 the second floor in the house with the Gregorys. She is a large, ordinary looking 
 
 [471 
 
Russian, and has two bright, attractive children. Her apartment is furnished 
 very comfortably and was clean. She has Uved in the house with Mrs. Gregory 
 for five years and has seen a great deal of the family and she was very enthusiastic 
 in reconmiending them. She spoke of their being educated, intelUgent people, 
 and she says it is a very happy family group. There is never any quarreling and 
 the Gregorys are quiet, pleasant people. Mrs. Gregory makes an inteUigent 
 mother and Marie is well brought up and bright. She feels sure Mr. Gregory is 
 temperate. They are evidently people whom Mrs. Menchen looks up to and 
 admires. 
 
 Mrs. Frankel, Avenue, N. Y. C. Mrs. Frankel is also making application 
 
 for a baby for adoption. Mrs. Frankel is a rather bright Russian woman of the 
 
 Jewish type, with dark hair and eyes. They have just recently moved to 
 
 Avenue, and previous to this Uved in the house with the Gregorys and knew them 
 very well for four or five years. She spoke of them very much as Mrs. Menchen 
 had done, and thinks there is no question about the Gregorys giving the child a 
 good home. Mrs. Gregory is very anxious to have the baby. She has made a 
 most careful mother and they are people who are well respected by every one. 
 
 Mrs. Heinsohn, Street, N. Y. C. Mrs. Heinsohn is a dressmaker and 
 
 was not at home, but agent talked with her married sister who has an apartment 
 in the same house. She says that she has known Mrs. Gregory for nearly five 
 years but does not know her as well as Mrs. Heinsohn does. They met her 
 through Mrs. Menchen. Mrs. Heinsohn's sister has never been in the Gregorys' 
 home, but has seen a good deal of Mrs. Gregory when calUng upon Mrs. Menchen. 
 She has been very favorably impressed with her and knows that her sister thinks 
 highly of the family. She could not tell agent where her sister is employed as she 
 has just recently got work. 
 
 Additional Reference. — Mrs. Beckman, Avenue, N. Y. C. Mrs. Beck- 
 man lives within a block of Road, near Street, in a fairly good neighbor- 
 hood. Her apartment is well furnished for a house of this kind and is clean. 
 Mrs. Beckman is a nice-looking woman, a Uttle Jewish in appearance. Her hus- 
 band met Mr. Gregory at night school, where he is also taking courses, and he 
 supports his family in the same way by working in different laundries. Mrs. 
 Beckman seems to be a thrifty woman, and she talks quite intelligently. She 
 has only one child. She says that she and her husband have known the Gregorys 
 very well for five years; that they have often spent evenings together at one of 
 their houses, and that they are very nice people. She thinks it would be an ex- 
 cellent home for a child, as she knows Mrs. Gregory has been a good mother and is 
 anxious to have the baby. She spoke of them as though there could be no ques- 
 tion about the home, and answered all agent's questions satisfactorily. She is 
 sure Mr. Gregory does not drink, and that their home life is congenial and she 
 considers them inteUigent people who would be perfectly reUable. 
 
 Agent's Opinion. — ^Agent feels that we would be safe in placing a child with the 
 Gregorys and would suggest giving them an attractive foreign child or a child of 
 foreign parentage. It is a most interesting family, and agent feels that they will 
 some day be in better circumstances. The house in which they Uve is a decided 
 drawback, and the heating arrangements seem unsatisfactory, so for this reason 
 it might be better to postpone placing a child with them until the severe weather 
 is over. They are people who seem very superior to their surroundings. 
 
 [481 
 
The agency placed in this home an attractive boy of three and a half, undoubt- 
 edly of foreign parentage from his appearance, who had been deserted. The 
 placement has worked out very satisfactorily for both foster parents and child. 
 
 Perhaps the first point which would occur to one on reading this in- 
 vestigation is the difference between the standards of this family in 
 moral and intellectual matters and the very simple, not to say meager, 
 way in which they have chosen to live. An investigator might easily 
 have been so dissatisfied with their limited sleeping quarters, their 
 scanty furniture, and the poor neighborhood in which they lived, that 
 she would not have felt the matter worth investigating. But in this 
 instance the agent was impressed by the personality of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Gregory and felt convinced that they were sufficiently substantial to 
 insure an adequate home to any child that might be placed with them. 
 Further investigation fully confirmed this impression. The necessary 
 facts regarding the finances, history, and circumstances of the family 
 are all adequately presented, but the quality which makes this a good 
 investigation is the agent's perception of the essential traits of char- 
 acter of this family; the ambition and energy which make the man 
 study engineering at night after a hard day in a laundry, the woman's 
 poise and motherliness, and their maintenance of high standards of 
 thinking and working in the midst of poverty and unfamiliar and often 
 difficult conditions of life. 
 
 Three of the four references interviewed had known the family in- 
 timately for four or five years, all belonged to approximately the same 
 social level, although it is worth noting that all look up somewhat to 
 the Gregorys, and all seem rehable people. Mrs. Frankel was known 
 to the Association through her own application, which was later ap- 
 proved, and her opinion was especially interesting for that reason. 
 
 Two Disapproved Homes. — The following investigation, at a first 
 reading, describes a plain but possibly satisfactory home. A more 
 careful examination of the report, however, shows it to be decidedly 
 inadequate. Subsequent experience proved that the investigation had 
 failed to penetrate far enough to get at the real situation. After the 
 child was placed there, it developed that the woman had so high a 
 4 [49] 
 
temper that she was at times cruel to the child. The neighbors con- 
 sidered her abusive and quarrelsome. She was essentially coarse, had 
 been very cruel to two children of relatives whom she had cared for, 
 and quarreled with her husband. The child had finally to be removed. 
 The investigation is copied verbatim, except for the names and 
 addresses. The written references were entirely satisfactory. 
 
 Application of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Peters. 
 
 Family. — Mr. Peters is an American, thirty-nine years old. He is a little 
 below the average height, and is rather slender and dark. He seems to be a 
 fairly sensible and intelhgent person, but is not well educated. He went to 
 grammar school, but never attended high school. He seems to be quite an in- 
 dustrious man, and is evidently thrifty and temperate. He told the agent he had 
 been wanting to take a child for some time, but had been hoping that he could find 
 one whose history he would know. He has decided that he is willing to take a 
 foundhng if he can get an attractive one. He is evidently in good health. 
 
 Mrs. Peters is also thirty-nine, an American. She is stout and rather motherly 
 looking. She is not at all well educated, but seems quite intelligent and sensible. 
 She has good ideas about child training. They are plain people, of the rather 
 ordinary village type. They belong to the Methodist Church and are quite re- 
 ligious. They would expect a child to attend Sunday school regularly, and would 
 send one through high school. 
 
 They have never had any children of their own. At one time they took two 
 of Mr. Peters' sister's children. Her husband was alcohoHc, and she left him and 
 finally obtained a divorce ; recently she married again and then took the children 
 back without a word of thanks to the Peters, who had kept them for five or six 
 years and had grown very much attached to them. They are very lonely since 
 the children left, and for this reason are doubly stnxious to obtain a child. 
 
 History. — Mrs. Peters' father died when she was a baby, and since her mother 
 was unable to care for her she was adopted by a family friend. She has always 
 gone by the name of Jones, which was the name of her foster parents. They had 
 no other children. When she was six years old her foster mother died and her 
 father boarded her for a few years. When she was eleven she kept house for her 
 
 father and continued this until she was twenty-three. She lived in , N. Y., 
 
 before she was married. She recently found her own mother living near there. 
 She is a respectable woman. Mrs. Peters has helped her and done what she could 
 for her, but she does not feel that she could take her into her own home. She 
 says that she always felt that the Joneses were her own parents. She did not 
 
 give the agent the name of her own mother. Mr. Peters has lived in all his 
 
 life. He went to public school and afterward worked at various kinds of employ- 
 ment. They were married sixteen years ago in . Agent noticed their mar- 
 riage certificate in a broad gold frame hanging on the parlor wall. After their 
 
 marriage they lived in one year, but afterward went to a number of different 
 
 places in succession where they worked in hotels in the laundry business. At 
 
 , Pa., they were at the Hotel, and afterward lived at a great many 
 
 places in New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey. They have lived in 
 
 now about seven years. Mrs. Peters' foster father is living with the family. He 
 
 [501 
 
is quite an old, feeble man. She said that he was not able to do very much, but 
 liked to do odd jobs around the house and work in the garden. 
 
 Home. — The town is a very ordinary village of possibly 2000 inhabitants. 
 In the summer there are a good many boarders. The house is in a good neigh- 
 borhood in the central part of the town, two blocks from the Methodist Church, 
 and very near the public school. They have a frame cottage of six rooms, which 
 was exquisitely neat and clean and furnished in very plain country style, and por- 
 traits, gorgeously framed, on the walls; carpets on the floors, and very shiny, 
 varnished furniture. The place was in very spick and span condition throughout. 
 The house had been freshly painted, and the yard and garden were well kept 
 and the house inside was perfectly clean. 
 
 Finances. — Mr. Peters earns an average of $18.00 a week the year round. In 
 the summer he works in the laundry and earns a good deal more than this, but 
 in the winter he earns less, as the laundry work is very light, and he clerks in a 
 store in town. They own their home here. Mrs, Peters has a paid-up life in- 
 surance policy. Mr. Peters is insured and he belongs to Lodge, with which 
 
 he has life insurance. The house and furniture are also insured. The people are 
 evidently very thrifty and industrious. 
 
 Child Desired. — They want a girl twenty months to two years old. They 
 are willing to take a foundling, but would rather know the parents of the child. 
 Agent thinks a rather ordinary child would fit into this family very well, but she 
 would not be likely to get many advantages. 
 
 References. — Mrs. North, , N. Y. Not at home. 
 
 Mrs. Frank Boyd, , N. Y. As Mrs. Boyd was not at home, agent asked 
 
 her mother if she knew Mrs. Peters and she said she only knew her slightly, but 
 she thought she was a good friend of her daughter's. As Mr. and Mrs. Peters 
 were rather anxious not to have every one in town know where they obtained the 
 child, agent did not explain the matter any further. 
 
 Mrs. Albert Harvey, , N. Y. Mrs. Harvey is a neighbor of Mrs. Peters. 
 
 She seemed to be quite an intelligent woman. She has a number of children of 
 her own, and she said she could think of no one better than Mrs. Peters to take 
 care of a child. The children always liked to visit Mrs. Peters and she was 
 very nice to them. Mrs. Harvey has known them for about three years. They 
 are steady, thrifty people and seem to know how to care for children and to be 
 willing to do everything they can for them. Mrs. Harvey seems quite enthusi- 
 astic about the family. She understood that they did not wish the matter 
 generally known, and she agrees with them that this is best. 
 
 Independent Reference. — Mr. Waring, , N. Y. Mr. Waring, the Metho- 
 dist minister, has known the family two years, which is the time he has lived in 
 town. He says they are very devout, religious people and good church members. 
 They are steady, industrious, frugal, and very sensible people, who would do what 
 they could for a child. He said it would be a plain home, but he considered it a 
 good one, although he did not think an unusually brilliant child should be placed 
 with them. 
 
 Agent's Opinion. — Agent thinks that this home will probably prove a satis- 
 factory place for a rather ordinary child. 
 
 This report seems to show, on the surface, a safe plain home of the 
 
 lower middle class type. There is nothing in the written statements or 
 
 [51] 
 
the verbal reports of the references to indicate anything out of the 
 way. The minister did say that he did not consider it a home for an 
 unusually promising child, but, on the other hand, he thought it a 
 good plain home. We seem to have a picture of one of those simple 
 homes of a familiar type, in which hundreds of adopted children are 
 growing up happily and prosperously. It is probably just here that 
 the danger Hes; in accepting the superficial instead of getting down 
 further into the facts to see what underlies the promising surface. A 
 home like so many other homes which have proved satisfactory is 
 likely to be passed by the agent with less consideration than a home 
 exhibiting unusual characteristics. There was apparently nothing out 
 of the way in this home; everything about it seemed satisfactory in 
 its limited way, and the agent "took a chance" on its being all right 
 because it looked all right, and was so like dozens of other simple 
 homes which she had investigated which were all right. 
 
 But when one looks more closely at this report one finds below the 
 surface a void where there should be facts. Probably the most obvious 
 lack in this report is that of adequate information from references. In 
 the first place, two of the original references were not seen. Because of 
 the agent's wish to respect the family's desire for privacy, only one 
 independent reference was seen. It is well to remember in this con- 
 nection that it is sometimes necessary to choose between respecting 
 this desire and securing adequate information. In such a case as this, 
 where the family planned to take a child openly and were apparently 
 in good standing and on good terms with their neighbors, there seems 
 no valid reason why independent references should not be seen. An 
 agent should feel herself justified in using any legitimate channels of 
 information. The situation is different when a child has already been 
 placed, and most of the neighbors think it the family's own child. 
 
 There is no characterization whatever of the references themselves. 
 It will be noted that the first reference seen could give no information 
 whatever, and that the second spoke in the most general terms, which 
 might apply to a hundred homes. The clergyman, who had known 
 the family only two years, was hardly qualified to act as a reference. 
 Although the investigator does not mention it, he was, moreover, very 
 
 [52 1 
 
old and somewhat childish, and not a competent judge. Therefore, 
 when one comes to sum up the opinion of the neighbors as to the home, 
 one finds that it amounts to very nearly nothing. Certainly there is 
 nothing to distinguish this family from scores of others. Yet it must 
 be axiomatic that no two families are alike, as no two individuals are 
 alike. 
 
 One obvious clue which was overlooked was that of the two children 
 for whom the Peters had previously cared. Here was the best possible 
 tip on the kind of care that these foster parents would give. They had 
 already tried the experiment of taking children into their home — how 
 had it worked out? Not a suggestion is given us, except that "chil- 
 dren always liked to visit Mrs. Peters and that she was very nice to 
 them," and that "they seem to be willing to do everything they can 
 for them." 
 
 Another defect which becomes clear upon examination is that we 
 know next to nothing about the background and personaUty of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Peters. Mr. Peters is described — the essential characteris- 
 tics of him — ^in two sentences. "He seems to be a fairly sensible and 
 intelhgent person. ... He seems to be quite an industrious man 
 and is evidently thrifty and temperate." Mrs. Peters is described 
 thus; " She seems quite intelligent and sensible. She has good ideas 
 about child training." Mr. Peters' background is no more detailed. 
 "He lived in all his life. He went to public school and after- 
 ward worked at different kinds of employment." Mrs. Peters' family, 
 on the other hand, is discussed in some detail. But as her circum- 
 stances were unusual and open to some question, the whole matter 
 should have been minutely investigated. Nothing emerges from the 
 agent's report to guide us to the effect of this irregular Ufe on Mrs. 
 Peters. It needs no pointing out that we have here wholly inadequate 
 information about the crux of the whole matter: what kind of people 
 are Mr. and Mrs. Peters? What kind of impression are they going to 
 make on the plastic nature of a child? What kind of childhood have 
 they themselves had? How do they get on together? Why have they 
 no children of their own? Which of them rules the roost? Are they 
 even tempered or touchy? Is Mrs. Peters a stable woman? Will they 
 
 [53 1 
 
be friendly toward the Association? Why tias Mr. Peters "worked at 
 different kinds of employment *'? What were they? Why did he leave 
 them? What kind of disciplinarian will Mrs. Peters be? What are 
 their standards and ideals, their views on neighborhood activities, on 
 current events? What kind of friends will they be able to make for 
 their child? These are only a few of the questions for which we have 
 no answer. Had they been answered the home would certainly not 
 have been used, as it was, with disastrous results. 
 
 Second Disapproved Home. — The investigation which follows is an 
 interesting example of a home which could only be disapproved, so 
 obvious are its drawbacks, but which from the written references, sent 
 by people whose names were given by the applicants, would seem a 
 satisfactory home. The only real objection to it mentioned in the 
 written references are ;the facts that Mrs. Walker is in poor health, 
 and that the couple are perhaps too old to take a child. It should be 
 explained that it is the custom of this agency to send out blanks to the 
 references as soon as the formal appUcation is received and before the 
 investigation is made. 
 
 The references are as follows : 
 
 1. Is Dr. Walker of temperate habits? Extremely temperate. 
 
 2. Is he kind and just? As far as I have been able to ob- 
 
 serve he is. 
 
 3. Is Mrs. Walker a good sensible woman? .... She surely is. 
 
 4. Is the moral standard of the family high? .... Yes. 
 
 5. Is the family in good health? Mrs. Walker is not real strong, 
 
 but able to do a great deal at 
 the same time. 
 
 6. What is their financial condition? He is a dentist and apparently 
 
 doing well. 
 
 7. Have they a comfortable home? Yes. 
 
 8. Would you consider it a desirable home for a 
 
 child? I think it would be. There is 
 
 only one son (grown) who is 
 home, and he is unusually an- 
 xious to help in this way. 
 
 9. What church do they attend? Methodist. 
 
 10. How long have you known the family? About fifteen years. 
 
 11. Are you related to them by marriage or other- 
 
 wise? No. 
 
 12. Please state any further particulars regarding their character and standing. 
 Mrs. Walker is a very earnest church worker. They are one of the fine fami- 
 
 [54] 
 
lies of the community, and I think no mistake will be made if you do your best / 
 by them. 
 
 The second reference wrote: 
 
 1. Yes. 
 
 2. No answer. 
 
 3. Yes. Unusually fine woman. 
 4} Yes. 
 
 5. Average good health. 
 
 6. Reasonably prosperous. 
 
 7. Yes. 
 
 8. Yes. 
 
 9. Father, Congregational. Mother, Methodist. 
 
 10. Fifteen to twenty years. 
 
 11. None. 
 
 12. They have raised two children and they are fine, Christian young people of 
 the highest standing. We consider them a better recommendation for this 
 home than anything we could say. 
 
 The third reference, who was a former Commissioner of Charities, 
 wrote: 
 
 1. Yes. 
 
 2. Yes. 
 
 3. Yes. 
 
 4. As far as I know very good. 
 
 5. Mrs. Walker has not the best of health, but nothing to interfere with a chUd. 
 
 6. He is a dentist, and I would say in comfortable circumstances. 
 
 7. Yes. ' , 
 
 8. Yes, unless the parents were a trifle old. They have one daughter married 
 and one son grown up. 
 
 9. Methodist. 
 
 10. I am not well acquainted with them. 
 
 11. No. 
 
 12. They attend the same church that I attend, and are considered very nice 
 people. The daughter, who is married, married a man from one of our best 
 families, and the son is manager of a store here and a very nice young man. 
 
 Following is the agent's report. 
 
 Family. — Agent saw Mrs. Walker at her husband's office downtown, where 
 she works as office assistant. She is an American, Protestant, fifty-two years old, 
 small and rather frail in appearance. She has white hair and dark eyes. Her char- 
 acter, from all reports, is excellent, but temperamentally she is somewhat erratic. 
 She is a great church worker, and lately, when some sort of a campaign was held 
 
 in , she seemed to think it was up to her to conduct the whole thing. She 
 
 did not take her responsibilities well. She did some things twice and left others 
 quite as important undone. Her manner was very nervous and hesitating. She 
 
 [55] 
 
seemed very indefinite about facts. She is gentle and mild and without force. 
 She is apparently dominated by her husband, who evidently forces her to work in 
 his office. Agent feels quite certain that she is afraid of him. She is at the office 
 all day and intends to keep on with her work if she takes a child. She does her 
 own housework, with the assistance of a son who is at home. She is fond of reading 
 and music. She said that she leads a quiet life, but it is pleasant. Agent asked 
 her about her health, and she said that she is well. Agent felt, however, that she 
 is not at all strong, and that she seemed very nervous, as if she were continually 
 under a strain. Her attitude toward taking a child is peculiar. She has two 
 grown children, and the thought of taking another child did not occur to her until 
 the son mentioned it to her. It is for his sake that she is taking this child. 
 
 Dr. Walker Ls an American, Protestant, fifty-five years old. He is tall and 
 thin and only slightly gray. He is rather cross looking, and has the reputation 
 of being hard to get on with. Agent should imagine him to be without much 
 feeling. He is evidently a "driver." His manner is very abrupt and not too 
 gracious. He seemed to be intelligent enough, and has had some education. 
 He thinks the whole business of taking another child into his home nothing but 
 nonsense, and frankly admits that he is not the least bit interested. 
 
 Their son Robert, who is twenty-five years old, has always had poor health. 
 
 He sent to Academy for a year and wanted to go to college, but could not 
 
 stand this physically. He volunteered for service when war was declared, but 
 was discharged from the navy because of physical incapacity. Since then he 
 has been at home. He is employed irregularly by his uncle, and earns ten dollars 
 a week. He left the navy in bad condition, and when he was sick at home he 
 told his mother he wished they had a little girl there, because things would seem 
 so much brighter. He realizes that he cannot marry for some years, and is fond of 
 children. He said he would assist his mother with the care of the child or take all 
 the care of it if necessary. He has been reading with Mrs. Walker such books as 
 "Motherhood," "The Care of Children," etc., to prepare for this. His attitude 
 seems hardly normal. Agent did not see him, as he was out, but he is said to be 
 peculiar and very effeminate. He does not go out with young people at all, but 
 is always with his mother in the evenings. 
 
 History. — Mrs. Walker, whose maiden name was Mabel Parks, was born in 
 
 , Connecticut, in December, 1868. Her father died several years ago of 
 
 pneumonia. He was a farmer. Mrs. Walker attended the Seminary. 
 
 She taught music for a number of years and was fond of it. She said she hated 
 to give it up. 
 
 Dr. Walker was born in , N. Y., in 1861. His mother died of typhoid 
 
 some years ago. His father is dead. Dr. Walker went to school in , N. Y., 
 
 and attended the Normal. 
 
 The Walkers were married January 2, 1889, in , N. Y., by Rev. . 
 
 Home. — Agent went up to the house to see Mrs. Walker, but as she did not 
 find her there, did not go in. The house is on a quiet street, and is set in a plea- 
 sant yard. There are a great many flowers and bushes. The house is rather 
 large, and is a yellow frame building. There is a porch at the front. The out- 
 ward appearance of things was comfortable and tasteful. 
 
 Occupation and Finances. — Dr. Walker is a dentist. Their present income 
 is about $40 a week. They own their home. Dr. Walker is insured with the 
 for $2000. Mrs. Walker is insured in the for $2000. Mrs. Walker 
 
 [56 1 
 
says that she really makes a salary, but never takes it out — ^it goes in with the 
 family income. 
 
 References. — Mrs. Gray has known Mrs. Walker for some years, and she 
 could say only the highest things of her character and respectability. She said 
 she understood that Mrs. Walker would give up her work at the office if she took 
 a little girl; in fact, she said she did not see how she could manage otherwise 
 with the care of her home. Mrs. Gray said that the fact that the children had 
 been so well brought up spoke in itself for the Walkers. Their home life is very 
 pleasant, as far as Mrs. Gray knows, but she said Dr. Walker had the reputation 
 of being a man who is very difficult to get along with. The girl who worked for 
 him has been known to complain and to say that he is somewhat a driver. Mrs. 
 Gray feels that this home would do if Mrs. Walker could give her time to the care 
 of a child. 
 
 Mrs. McCall recommends this home with certain quaUfications. She says 
 that Mrs. Walker is apparently taking the child for her son's sake, and she her- 
 self thinks that this is a very queer idea. Robert is very effeminate and imusual. 
 She thinks it ridiculous that he would even think of taking care of this child. 
 Mrs. Walker's health is not any too robust, and Mrs. McCall does not think she 
 should have any more cares and responsibilities than she has now. Mrs. McCall 
 feels Dr. Walker is not interested in this step, and that he would have very Uttle 
 sympathy with a child. Mrs. McCall could not say anything against the char- 
 acter of any of the family. 
 
 Mr. Adkins, Commissioner of Charities, is a very sensible man, who knows 
 most of the people in the community. He said that he would not consider this 
 by any means an ideal home for a child; if another place could be found for the 
 little girl, not to send her to the Walkers. He spoke of Mrs. Walker's erratic 
 temperament, and told how she loses her head when she has any extra responsi- 
 biUties or care. He said Mrs. Walker is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, 
 but he is certain Dr. Walker makes her work in the office to avoid paying an 
 assistant a regular salary. Dr. Walker is rather a hard man, who is not interested 
 in taking a child into the home, consequently if Mrs. Walker's health should give 
 out and Robert should marry, the child would be left with an unsympathetic 
 person. Mr. Adkins thought the idea of Robert taking care of the child was 
 ridiculous, and said it could not under any circumstances be practical. He is a 
 very effeminate young man, who never goes out at all, and his ideas about taking 
 a Uttle girl are rather curious. Mr. Adkins does not feel that this home should be 
 used. 
 
 Agent's Opinion. — Agent does not consider this an available home on the 
 grounds of Mrs. Walker's health and the fact that she is busy at the office all 
 day. Agent also thinks it would be most unwise to place a child there for the sake 
 of the fancy of a young man. She does not think, furthermore, that a child 
 placed there would get the slightest sympathy from Dr. Walker. 
 
 This home should so clearly be disapproved that there is no dis- 
 cussion needed as to that aspect. But there are several points which 
 are worth making. 
 
 It is noteworthy that the references in their written statements gave 
 
 [57] 
 
a very different impression from that of their verbal interviews, and 
 this is particularly marked in the case of the Commissioner of Char- 
 ities, who in his written statement said that he would consider it a 
 good home except for the age of the applicants, and in his interview 
 said that the home should not be used. Mrs. McCall was also much 
 stronger in her objections in talking to the agent than she was in 
 writing. This is an excellent example of the hesitation which refer- 
 ences almost uniformly feel about putting on paper their real criticism 
 of a family, even though they may be willing to discuss the matter 
 frankly with the agent who calls on them. It furnishes additional 
 proof of what is fast becoming a maxim with child^placing agencies — 
 always interview your references personally. From the written refer- 
 ences in this case not a suggestion could be found as to the abnormal 
 character of the son, nor as to the fact of Mrs. Walker's being away all 
 day at the office, an obvious fact which one might expect a reference 
 to mention, if it were not that the mention of it would naturally raise 
 an objection to the home. One reference, it is true, omitted to answer, 
 certainly intentionally, the question, ''Is Dr. Walker kind and just?" 
 But aside from that and the allusion to their age, there is nothing in 
 these written references to prepare one for the really startling impos- 
 sibihty of using this home. The moral is so plain as to need no point- 
 ing out. 
 
 The agent could, no doubt, without seeing any references at all, have 
 made up her mind that the home was not a suitable one, although she 
 would naturally wish to confirm her own observation by hearing their 
 opinions. It is interesting to note that the most serious objection to 
 this home was based not on questions of finance, morals, nor standards 
 of Uving, but on the personaUty of the various members of the family 
 and their relation to one another. In this instance the objections hap- 
 pen to be obvious, but a similar situation, though a less extreme one, 
 might easily escape an inexperienced or unobservant investigator. The 
 undoubtedly abnormal character of the son, the bullying character of 
 the father, the weak character of the mother, make up a household 
 situation with possibilities of unUmited trouble. But these char- 
 acteristics might exist to so slight a degree as to be perceptible only to 
 
 158 1 
 
the trained worker, and yet be strong enough to make a failure of the 
 placement. Such under-the-surface traits are best worth the attention 
 of the investigator, and are naturally the hardest to penetrate. 
 
 The attitude of the various members of the family toward the pro- 
 ject is also worth noting. Here again the facts are obvious; such ex- 
 treme divergencies of view as are represented by the pecuUar interest 
 of the son, the hostility of the father, and the passivity of the mother 
 would not often be found. But to a less degree they may exist in many 
 apparently good homes, and it will pay the agent to keep a sharp eye 
 out for them. 
 
 Full Investigations of Doubtful Homes. — It may be worth noting 
 that the visitor in this instance made what might be considered an 
 unnecessarily thorough examination of an obviously unsatisfactory 
 home. The chief reason in this case was that the family lived at a con- 
 siderable distance from New York, so that it would have involved ex- 
 pense and waste of time to get further facts if they had been needed. 
 This is a poHcy which will probably be found economical. Doubtful 
 homes within easy distance of the office can be investigated and dis- 
 missed more readily than those at a distance, which should be investi- 
 gated carefully enough to prove beyond a doubt whether they should 
 be disapproved or given a trial. It is an expensive matter to send a 
 visitor a hundred miles to get some necessary bit of additional evi- 
 dence. 
 
 There are other reasons why in some cases one needs what might 
 seem a superfluous amount of information about a disapproved appli- 
 cation. An association such as the State Charities Aid Association, 
 doing various kinds of work throughout the state, may find one of its 
 other departments involved in a local quarrel because its child-placing 
 department has refused the application of a leading citizen of that 
 commmiity. A broad basis of facts for one's action is essential in such 
 a tangle. Moreover, it happens occasionally that a family whose 
 application has been disapproved refuse to accept their rejection, and 
 leave no stone imturned to find why they were refused. They may 
 send in delegations of references; they may even appeal to their rep- 
 resentative in the legislature. In general, of course, this does not 
 
 [69] 
 
happen, but with certain types of families one must accumulate what 
 may seem unnecessary evidence. It may prove an economy in the 
 long run. 
 
 Reasons for Disapproving an Application. — The grounds on which 
 homes are disapproved are various; some of them have been noted 
 above. It is nearly impossible to make set rules and to say that every 
 home which has a certain defect must be rejected. It is, however, 
 possible to indicate some of the chief reasons for disapproval. A bad 
 reputation on the part of any one in the family or friction between 
 members of the household, notably between the husband and wife, 
 should usually rule out the home. Bad living conditions, crowded 
 sleeping quarters, insanitary conditions or an inadequate income make 
 the home undesirable. It has been the custom of the Association in 
 some cases, when the home was in other respects satisfactory, to 
 withhold judgment, calUng the application suspended rather than 
 rejected, and telling the family that they may reapply when their 
 living conditions have improved. 
 
 Such factors as these make up the more simple and obvious reasons 
 for refusing an application. Of equal significance and far greater com- 
 plexity are the more intangible reasons, such as temperamental diffi- 
 culties, a generally low standard of hfe, and shiftlessness, even though 
 it may not be extreme enough to interfere with the earning of an ade- 
 quate income or the maintenance of a decent home. It is undoubtedly 
 true that among its applicants for children every agency finds a fair 
 number of subnormal people. These famihes may live in a fairly com- 
 fortable way and be respectable people, and yet have such low ideals 
 and such inferior intelhgence that no child could be safely intrusted 
 to them. It is usually very hard to put your finger on the basic defect 
 of such a family, but as a shrewd and homely reference may remark, 
 "They haven't got horse sense." Nor have they anything in the 
 nature of an ideal of decent conduct and citizenship to give the child. 
 In brief, there is nothing that they have to offer beyond limited mate- 
 rial advantages, and for most children something better than this is 
 available. Moreover, such a family is usually helpless in the face of 
 any crisis, and is difficult to advise. This type of border-line home is 
 
 [60 1 
 
very common and forms one of the chief problems of the placing-out 
 agent. 
 
 The home which is described as follows was investigated for the 
 purpose of deciding whether a child whom the family had cared for in 
 board should be left there for adoption. When Mrs. Gutmann took 
 her, the baby was in a critical condition and the institution (not the 
 Association) who had placed the child there said that Mrs. Gutmann 
 had unquestionably saved the child's hfe by her nursing. The agent 
 making the investigation had therefore to weigh against the defects 
 of the family, their devotion to the child, who was still there with 
 them, and their genuine suffering if the child were to be removed. In 
 quoting this report, for greater clearness, only facts relating to the 
 home itself, not to the child, were cited. 
 
 Home Disapproved after Complete Inyestigation. — Mr. and Mrs. Gutmann 
 live in a small village and have an apartment of four rooms on the second floor of a 
 cheaply built brown-stone house, the lower floor of which is occupied by a shoe- 
 maker's establishment. The rooms are well lighted and ventilated. The walls 
 are kalsomined, and most of the floors covered with oilcloth. They have very 
 little furniture, but what they have is of a substantial kind. There are practically 
 no ornaments. There is no bath-room on this floor, and the one on the first floor 
 is evidently used by both families in the house. The kitchen has only a cold-water 
 faucet and an oil stove. The family have not lived in the house in winter, and do 
 not know just how they will heat it, but they have a coal stove for the dining-room 
 and an oil stove for the front room. The house was pretty clean and orderly, and 
 the beds seemed comfortable. 
 
 Mr. Gutmann has been employed for the last month by the Company, 
 
 loading milk on wagons through the night. He receives $30 a week in wages. 
 In addition to this he is working a few hours each day for an ice company and has 
 been averaging $12 a week from it. He has not held any position for more than 
 
 six months, according to his statement. He is insured in the Company for 
 
 $634, and Mrs. Gutmann is insured in the same company for $760. There are 
 no savings to amount to anything. They are paying $15 a month rent. They 
 seem somewhat extravagant. 
 
 Family. — Mrs. Gutmann is twenty-two years of age. She is of average height 
 and build, has a high forehead, and rather blonde hair. Her front teeth are filled 
 with gold. She has a fresh, healthy complexion, is Uvely and full of fun, and has 
 a rather low voice. She seems to be fairly intelligent, and has evidently been 
 instructed in the care and feeding of children. She is quite independent, and 
 seems a little high strung and possibly a little quick tempered. She is wide 
 awake and seems naturally very fond of children, but is not a particularly good 
 housekeeper. She is not very neat about her own appearance, but keeps herself 
 fairly clean. Her intentions seem good, but her standards not particularly high, 
 
 [611 
 
and she does not seem ambitious, though, of course, she is handicapped by a small 
 income. 
 
 Mr, Gutmann is also twenty-two years of age. He is quite a contrast to his 
 wife. He is heavily built, has a shock of dark-brown hair, large rounded features, 
 and rather expressionless brown eyes. He is a little foreign looking, and is of the 
 dull, phlegmatic type. He has none of the alertness that his wife has, and acts 
 very dull and stupid. He did little talking, and often asked his wife for informa- 
 tion which he would be much more likely to have and which she could not give. 
 He did not appear mentally deficient, but has had almost no education or training 
 and has a mental laziness which keeps him from getting far. He seems to be 
 pretty good natured. 
 
 The Gutmanns have never had any children. Mrs. Gutmann says that she 
 has had some internal trouble since marriage. 
 
 History. — Mrs. Gutmann left school in the middle of the term, when she was 
 in the seventh grade, at the age of fourteen, without the consent of her mother 
 
 and worked first as a bundle girl in the Department Store. Later she worked 
 
 in the Waist Co., where she was a machine operator for seven years, earning 
 
 $23 a week. Mr. Gutmann's father was a conductor and starter. Mr. Gutmann 
 says he can never remember being happy at home. His father never liked him, 
 and he was jealous of his only sister, whom he did not get along well with. His 
 father, according to Mrs. Gutmann, was quite intemperate. Mr. Gutmann left 
 school at 11 without completing the last two grades. He was obliged to give his 
 father all of his earnings, and says he left home several times. He never sees his 
 father or sister and does not even know where they are. Mr. and Mrs. Gutmann 
 had been acquainted only nine months when they were married. It was a run- 
 away marriage, as Mrs. Gutmann's parents objected because she was young. 
 Her husband was nominally Catholic, but does not attend the church any more. 
 
 References. — It was difficult for the Gutmanns to furnish satisfactory refer- 
 ences. They have a number of acquaintances, but very few friends. Mrs. Gut- 
 mann seems to depend almost entirely upon her family for outside companion- 
 ship, and Mr. Gutmann is not at all sociable. 
 
 Mrs. Wagner is a woman about thirty years of age and is a wholesome, do- 
 mestic type. She seems intelligent, dresses well, and made a better impression 
 upon agent than Mrs. Gutmann. She has known Mrs. Gutmann for four years 
 and seems to be her only intimate friend. She and Mrs. Gutmann spend a good 
 deal of time together. She considers Mrs. Gutmann a capable, practical woman. 
 She has only known Mr. Gutmann since they were married. In answering ques- 
 tions she said that he worked steadily and was temperate, he was kind in his home, 
 and he and his wife got along well. She did not have much more to say about 
 him, but did not know of anything detrimental. 
 
 Miss Breitman is evidently a bookkeeper in the grocery store opp)osite the 
 Gutmanns'. She is a woman about thirty years old, and is apparently intelli- 
 gent. She could not give a great deal of information. She has known Mrs. 
 Gutmann for about five years, but Mr. Gutmann only about a year. She is not 
 a friend of theirs, and has never been in their home, but they trade at the store 
 and always pay very promptly. She could not answer any questions about Mr. 
 Gutmann. She understands that he works regularly and has never heard any- 
 thing against him. She says that undoubtedly Mrs. Gutmann is the stronger 
 influence in the home. She is much more alert and intelligent than her husband. 
 
 [ 62 ] 
 
Independent References. — Postmaster. He is a middle-aged man, rather 
 keen and intelligent. He has known Mrs. Gutmann and her family for about 
 four years. He says her family are nice people, of the plain middle class. He 
 could not speak particularly well of Mr. and Mrs. Gutmann. He has only known 
 Mr. Gutmann for about a year, and says he is not a very intelUgent man. He is 
 not physically lazy, but is mentally so, and the kind of man who will always be 
 changing his job, thinking he can do better somewhere else, without having much 
 foresight in the matter. He has not any of the snap of his wife, and probably 
 never will be comfortably off financially on account of his dull, heavy make-up. 
 He works steadily and is not a loafer in any sense, and the postmaster never knew 
 of his being intemperate. He thinks Mr. Gutmann and his wife quarrel a good 
 deal, but no more than people of their class usually do. He would hardly con- 
 sider it a desirable adoption home, as he does not see how they would ever be in a 
 position to take a child or give it many advantages. 
 
 Mr. Freund has the apartment below the Gutmanns'. He is a rather old man, 
 rough in his manner. He at first did not want to have anything to say and does 
 not wish to be quoted. He evidently does not get along well with the Gutmanns, 
 and does not like them. He wishes they were out of the house. Both Mr. and 
 Mrs. Gutmann "curse." He has heard that she used to be a "high flyer." He 
 certainly would not want to recommend the home for a child. He has employed 
 Mr. Gutmann to deliver the ice during the summer. He paid him $35 last month. 
 He will not employ him in the winter, and what he earns from the milk business is 
 his only regular income. 
 
 Agent telephoned the last company for which Mr. Gutmann worked. The 
 foreman recalled Mr. Gutmann, and said he was employed there for three or four 
 months last winter as a laborer. He was paid about $4 a day. He said that right 
 after Mr. Gutmann left he collected the wages for a man who he claimed had 
 authorized him to do so. This man made complaint to the company afterward, 
 saying that he had not received his money and had not authorized Mr. Gutmann 
 to collect it. 
 
 Agent's Opinion. — It does not seem possible to get much information about 
 this family. Their income is insufficient, and the chances are they never will be 
 much better off. We have almost no information about Mr. Gutmann, and what 
 we know is hardly to his credit. There is also a question about Mrs. Gutmann's 
 health. Agent cannot recommend the home as an adoption home. 
 
 This is a typical example of the home which, on first inquiry, seems 
 passably good — ^in other words, a "border-line home." The finances 
 might, at a pinch, be adequate. The family undoubtedly would be 
 devoted to a child, the living conditions — a house in an open neighbor- 
 hood — are moderately good, the woman is fairly intelligent, and until 
 one gets well under the surface, there is apparently "nothing against" 
 the family. With the exception of the man's dishonesty — ^not re- 
 vealed by the given references — there is nothing flagrantly objection- 
 able about them. Their own references, though they were vague and 
 
 [63] 
 
not well informed, spoke well of them. An inexperienced investigator, 
 influenced possibly by their obviously sincere feeling for the child, 
 might recommend them. The experienced investigator will keep on 
 till she gets conclusive evidence for or against. In this case the two 
 independent references were able to furnish information which shifted 
 the application from the "border-line" to the "disapproved** class. 
 
 64] 
 
CHAPTER III 
 PLACING THE CHILD 
 
 The choice of the most suitable home available for any child is in a 
 sense the climax of the two long processes of getting information about 
 the child and examining the home. All the elements, both of the 
 child^s situation and the foster family's, must be considered. 
 
 Experience has proved beyond a doubt that the success of your 
 placement depends to a great extent upon what you know of the two 
 elements of which it is composed. A searching inquiry into the cir- 
 cumstances and character of the foster family and an equally careful 
 observation of the child will go far to obviate failure. 
 
 The Selective Process. — It is undoubtedly true that every place- 
 ment is a special problem. Nearly every child has some physical or 
 temperamental need or some factors in his heredity which demand a 
 specially chosen and adapted home. Practically never does the agency 
 have a child — "the nice normal child" — who can fit in anywhere. 
 This naturally is truest of the older children, whose personal traits are 
 more developed and whose past lives have left a sharper impress on 
 them. Often four or five homes will have to be considered and dis- 
 carded as unsuitable f o r the child in question before the right one is 
 found. This selective process may range from the choice of a well- 
 to-do family who spend their winters in Florida for a child of tubercu- 
 lous parents, to the placement of a high-strung boy who steals, with a 
 woman especially interested in the training of nervous children. 
 
 Drawbacks of Delayed Placements. — It is, however, clearly impos- 
 sible to hold a child indefinitely in a temporary home ^ while one hxmts 
 the perfect family for him. This should not be construed as a contra- 
 
 This agency does only temporary boarding work. 
 5 [651 
 
diction to what was previously said about the supply of safe and good 
 homes; for a home may be that and yet fall short in some respects of 
 the best home for the child in question. This sort of waiting is hard on 
 the child as well as demoraUzing for him. Both the boarding mother 
 and the child recognize the temporary nature of the child's stay, and 
 the feeling of insecurity thus created is painful and harmful. "It 
 doesn't seem worth while to do that for the child — he's going to be 
 here such a short time." Rather than have the child become aware of 
 this feeling, it is better to accept the home which most nearly approxi- 
 mates the ideal home, realizing its Umitations, and as far as possible 
 matching the home to the child. 
 
 Choosing the Child for the Family. — Equally, of course, nearly 
 every family requires, consciously or unconsciously, a special type of 
 child. The question of disciphne, the living conditions, various family 
 situations may demand a child of a particular type. It is practically 
 impossible to meet all the demands of the foster -parents, whose re- 
 quirements may range all the way from, " I don't care what it is like so 
 long as it's a baby," to, "We must have a child who can go to Yale 
 later. My husband's heart would be broken if his son did not go to 
 Yale." Every attempt is made to give the family the kind of child 
 which they desire, from the point of view of heredity as well as of 
 personality. 
 
 The Association makes the preliminary choice among its available 
 children; it does not show a large group of children to the family, 
 leaving the first choice to them. This is sure to cause complications. 
 The family are often most strongly attracted to a child whose back- 
 ground and whose personality make it improbable that he will be able 
 to live up to their requirements. It is then hard to detach their inter- 
 est from this child and transfer it to a child more likely in the long run 
 to satisfy them. The society, with its knowledge of its children, is in a 
 better position than the family to make this first selection. 
 
 It must be remembered, however, that there is, after all, only a 
 limited number of children available for free home placements, be- 
 cause many dependent children have family connections which must 
 not be severed. The foster family must, therefore, expect to make 
 
 [66] 
 
concessions and to take a child who in some respects falls short of their 
 requirements, if they are to get a child at all. The family have no 
 more chance of getting the perfect child by waiting than has the soci- 
 ety of getting the perfect home. 
 
 Meeting Between Family and Child. — ^The circumstances under 
 which the appUcants first see the child have often a decisive influence 
 on their choice. The effect of good clothes on the child's appearance 
 and consequently on the impression that he makes is a disproportion- 
 ately important factor. One might expect that the more forlorn the 
 child looked, the more the foster mother's heart would go out to him — 
 but this rarely happens. It is well to remember that almost every 
 woman is thinking, while she looks the child over, "What will my 
 family and friends think about this child? Shall I be ashamed to take 
 him about with me?" It is usually hard for them to imagine the 
 change that a few weeks of good care will make in the child's looks. 
 They picture themselves always going about with a child who looks 
 fatally like a "charity child." Good clothes and well-cut or well- 
 arranged hair will make a vast difference in this first and usually de- 
 cisive impression. 
 
 It is equally important that the interview should take place under 
 conditions which will leave the child as unembarrassed as possible. 
 The office is usually a bad place for this, as the child is so often ill at 
 ease there, associating it with doctors and hospitals and with his re- 
 moval from his own home. Often he will hardly talk at all, so that the 
 appUcants get a disappointing and unfair impression of him. If the 
 meeting can be at the house of some friend or at the home of the 
 family it is more apt to make the child easy and natural. There are 
 toys and new surroundings to interest him and he will be less self- 
 conscious. Sometimes the family will take the child for a short visit 
 so that they can get acquainted at their leisure. This reUeves the 
 child of the strain of being looked over at the office, which eygn the 
 little child feels keenly, and it gives the foster parents time to make up 
 their minds. 
 
 Information Given Family About Child. — Every facility is given the 
 family to satisfy themselves about the heredity and the character of 
 
 [671 
 
the child whom they are considering. As a rule, they are content with 
 the information contained in the child's record, but if they wish more, 
 an effort is made to secure it. Such information may be relatively 
 unimportant, and therefore omitted in the original record, but still of 
 considerable interest to the foster family. They may ask for a copy of 
 the baptismal certificate or the exact hour of the child's birth, or wish 
 to know the height, appearance, and complexion of the grandparents. 
 The record of the child is not, except very rarely, given into their 
 hands, but the information contained in it is told them fully and 
 frankly. Some details which would merely repel them, without adding 
 anything essential to their knowledge, are withheld. If they wish, 
 they may talk with the office doctor who made the physical examina- 
 tion or they may bring in their own doctor to examine the child. They 
 may have a second Wassermann test made. They may examine the 
 report of the psychologist. 
 
 When the family live at such a distance from the office that it is 
 impossible for them to come to see the child, they are given all pos- 
 sible information; a photograph, a description of the child's appear- 
 ance, his disposition and intelligence, and in the first letter a few facts 
 about his heredity. These facts, Hke those given verbally to the 
 applicants who call at the office, are given in such a way as to make it 
 ^^fc" impossible for them to identify the child. If the family are favorably 
 impressed and desire more information, a summary of the history is 
 sent them. Here there is a vast difference between the amount of in- 
 formation demanded by one family or another. " Pick me out a nice 
 fat baby," a farmer's wife may write, while the minister's wife may in- 
 sist on knowing, in addition to everything else, whether the child's 
 great-grandparents showed any sign of alcoholism and whether the 
 child's blue eyes are *'a cold shallow blue or a deep blue." 
 
 Preparing the Family. — In the placement of all but the babies the 
 agency will usually find that it increases the chances of a successful 
 outcome by preparing the family beforehand. For example, a family 
 recently took a very difficult and active boy of seven. They saw him 
 at the office first, and when it was clear that they were interested, they 
 were told something of his difficulties : how he had nearly set fire to his 
 
 [68 1 
 
boarding home and had worn out a succession of boarding mothers ; 
 of his incessant activity and his impenetrability to discipline; of his 
 physical difficulties, which made a careful diet and regular periods of 
 rest essential. They were also, of course, told of his exceptional intel- 
 ligence and his more lovable traits. The agent talked over with them 
 the recommendations of the different people who had worked with the 
 boy. When they finallj'- took him home, they knew nearly as much 
 about him as the agency did. 
 
 This method would not work with every family; many families are 
 not interested in hearing much about the child beforehand, and some 
 would be so alarmed at the risks suggested that they would drop out 
 entirely. But a degree of preparation, suited to the family, will prob- 
 ably be found better than no preparation at all. This may be done 
 both by the investigator and by the office agent who makes the 
 placement. 
 
 Obviously there are certain kinds of preparation which should al- 
 ways be suggested ; information about diet, hours of sleep or any special 
 physical care which the child may need. If the child has any par- 
 ticular habit which needs watching and correcting, the family should, 
 of course, know it in advance. If the child has had a very unhappy or 
 frightening experience, the family will be better able to meet any 
 emergency if they know about it. If he has been badly neglected, it 
 is only fair to the child to make the family understand this, so that 
 they will be patient with his possible unresponsiveness or slowness in 
 learning. 
 
 But over and above these more obvious suggestions is the advice 
 which so many foster families need about the experiment in general. 
 Not to expect too much of the child all at once, not to insist on his 
 being this or that type of child instead of the child that he naturally 
 is, not to look for too great a demonstration of affection all at once, 
 and, above all, not to look for gratitude — these are all lessons which 
 most families have no idea that they need to learn. No one can have 
 watched the process of a child's adaptation to a home without realizing 
 how much more most foster parents instinctively expect from the child 
 than he can possibly give. This kind of thing is naturally extremely 
 
 [69] 
 
complicated to explain to most foster parents — sometimes most diffi- 
 cult to the most intelligent — ^but some idea of it should certainly be 
 conveyed before the child goes to their home. It may be as simple 
 as telling them that the child's table manners are bad because he has 
 never had any training, or it may be as complicated as explaining that 
 the child may for a while be sullen because he has had an unhappy 
 experience in one foster home and is suspicious of another. 
 
 Preparing the Child. — Not only should the family be prepared, but 
 the child, if he is old enough to understand it, should be given some 
 idea of the change that is to be made in his life. With little children 
 such preparation is naturally less necessary, but the older the child, 
 the more advisable it is to enlist his interest and his willingness to 
 make the experiment a success. More than that, one owes it to the 
 child. It is only fair to take him somewhat into one's confidence and 
 to reassure him. Talking the home over beforehand, explaining it a 
 little, giving the child an idea of what the family expect, will often 
 make the transition easier for both family and child. It gives the child 
 a chance to say something of his own feelings, which are often hard to 
 penetrate, and it will increase his confidence in the society to feel that 
 he has been in a way consulted. Very often the boy or girl will have a 
 preference, such as a desire to be in the country or to go to a trade 
 school, to be in a home where there are no young children, or to take 
 care of a baby, which can easily enter into the plans which the society 
 is making. Following these preferences as far as possible is an effective 
 way of keeping the child's confidence and good will. This preliminary 
 talk with the child may be also the opportunity of explaining in the 
 easiest way some of the reasons why he cannot go back to his own 
 home, a fact about which many of these children are confused. 
 
 In talking over plans with the child it is advisable not to be too final 
 about them. Many children oppose the idea of any change, remem- 
 bering their removal from their own homes. With such children it is 
 simpler to suggest that they "try it for a while" than to say impera- 
 tively that they must do it. It is true, however, that there are many 
 children eager for a home, who really plan for it and count on it, and 
 with such children the preparation is a comparatively simple affair. 
 
 [70] 
 
Separating ChUdren of One Family. — The question of separating 
 the children of one family in order to find homes for all of them is a 
 moot point. Often it is necessary to choose between placing the chil- 
 dren in different homes or not placing them at all. Is it wise to deprive 
 a sister of a good home because the family will not take her brother 
 also? There are not many famiUes who are willing to take more than 
 one child, at least at the start. One has to consider whether a foster 
 father and mother, or his own brother and sister, will mean more to the 
 child as he grows older. Experience would indicate that a normal 
 household life is more important to the average child than nearness to 
 a brother or sister, when that nearness is purchased at the cost of a 
 permanent foster home. 
 
 One must ask oneself, however, whether the separation of two 
 brothers is going to be so serious a shock to them that no homes, how- 
 ever satisfactory, will make it up to them? Or, a more practical ques- 
 tion, will it be impossible for them ever to take root in new homes? 
 Should the fact that two sisters quarrel constantly be taken as a sign 
 that they are better off apart? If two brothers are placed together and 
 one proves unsatisfactory and has to be returned, should the other 
 brother be removed too? All these questions must be met as they 
 arise, and it is impossible to make rules which will always apply. 
 However, it can be said that it is seldom necessary to separate two 
 young children as there are usually enough families who are willing to 
 take them. It is for the children between five and twelve that the 
 break is hardest. The Association has arranged in many instances for 
 correspondence between older brothers and sisters, when it has been 
 necessary to separate them, by having the letters pass through the 
 office. This plan is always made with the consent of the foster fami- 
 lies. Every such case must be individually considered. The visitor 
 who knows the children best must find out as far as she can how strong 
 is the feeling between the children and how heavily it would weigh 
 against the child's desire for a father and mother. In cases where the 
 feeling is strong, the agency will work for an indefinite time to keep 
 the children together. 
 
 Much may be done toward finding a home for two or more children 
 
 [711 
 
of the same family by advertising, by interesting committees and 
 every friend of the work, and by getting people to take children for a 
 visit, "to see how it works out." 
 
 There is one element in this situation which often forces the society 
 to separate children of one family, and that is the unwillingness of 
 most poor law ofl&cials in New York state to support the children 
 indefinitely in a temporary home until they can be permanently placed 
 together. 
 
 Only in exceptional cases is a boy or girl placed in a family where 
 there is a girl or boy of the same age. When the foster mother is un- 
 usually capable of handling the problem, it may be done, or when 
 there are advantages which outweigh the risks. Needless to say, the 
 character of the children in question must be thoroughly known and 
 the children carefully selected. 
 
 A Placement Record 
 
 A Carefully Selected Home. — The case which follows illustrates a 
 selective process which is frequent in child-placing. It shows the need 
 of choosing a special type of home for a child with certain handicaps; 
 a process which naturally is called for more frequently with the older 
 and more difl&cult children. 
 
 Julia Murray was ten when her case was referred to the agency. Her history 
 was meager. She was the child of a travehng man and a woman, unmarried, 
 who gave the baby soon after birth to a notorious woman. This woman and 
 three others Uved with a dissolute man by the name of Charles Murray, who 
 cohabited with all of them. It became known to the local children's agent that 
 Julia was sleeping with Charles Murray. She was removed on the charge of 
 improper guardianship. In addition to the immorality of the home, there was 
 constant poverty and brawUng. Julia was brought to New York and was given 
 a mental and physical examination. The physical examination showed an 
 abnormally large head, but no other marked pecuUarities. The mental examina- 
 tion report was: Physical age, ten years and one month; mental age, eight years 
 and one month. The examiner considered her not at all promising. Her Was- 
 sermann test and test for gonococcal infection were negative. It was thought 
 best to keep her under observation for a time and to test her again before de- 
 ciding what was to be done with her. At the end of that period, when she was 
 nearly thirteen, the following report was received concerning her progress : 
 
 "When Julia entered here she was tested and received a rating mentally of 
 over two years behind her physical age. She was very backward about making 
 
 [72] 
 
friends, did not like school, and appeared to regard every one as her natural 
 enemy. All these traits had to be handled very carefully, and there were times 
 when it seemed that Julia could never be made to feel thoroughly at ease among 
 the other children. But the last six months she has changed remarkably, she 
 now plays normally with all the girls, is well liked by them, and her school work 
 has improved, although it is still hard for her. However, she shows great de- 
 termination and is determined to get through the 5B grade this June. A recent 
 test I gave her rates her barely a year behind her normal age and in some ways 
 
 she is ahead of the average. Dr. , who tested her thoroughly yesterday, 
 
 found her well able to hold her own along most lines, and this fact, together with 
 her marked improvement in disposition, has led me to hope that a family home 
 may be found for her. JuUa is certainly an appealing girl, anxious for love and 
 affection, and very ready to return it. Careful inquiries among her teachers and 
 supervisors fail to reveal any 'bad' or unusual traits and all speak well of the 
 child." 
 
 With these facts in view the agency prepared to find a home for Julia. Among 
 the factors to be considered was the very obvious one of locaUty. It was im- 
 perative that she should not be placed anywhere in her old neighborhood as her 
 former foster father had sworn to get her back. She was the kind of child who 
 needed plenty of outdoor life and an environment where the details of refinement 
 that mean so much to many foster parents would not be demanded of her. An 
 active hfe in simple surroimdings was indicated by her natural tastes. She was 
 not the kind of girl who would appeal to a family who wanted a refined child 
 whom they could dress daintily and send to a finishing school. Nor was she inde- 
 pendent enough for the family who wanted a girl of vigorous inteUigence, who 
 could learn to make her own way later. Owing to her early circumstances, which 
 indicated quite clearly that she had been exposed to a premature sexual experience, 
 it did not seem safe to place her in a home with younger children, as is so often 
 done with a girl of this age, for fear of her communicating to them something of 
 her own experience. Again because of those experiences it was a question whether 
 it were safe to place her in a home where there was a man. It had been clear when 
 she was removed from her own home that she was overfond of men and boys. 
 It was felt that her behavior with men might be of two types: aversion and dis- 
 trust because of her previous hard experience or an excessive interest. Neither 
 of these gave much hope of a successful outcome. There was also her mental 
 backwardness to be considered. Although she had made excellent progress in the 
 past two or three years, there was no doubt that she was slow mentally and found 
 school work difficult. That eliminated for her a home where much would be 
 expected of her in an educational way. A home where she would be treated as 
 something of a servant was obviously inadvisable, as she was an unusually 
 affectionate girl, rather childlike in her desire for affection and interest. 
 
 The home which was finally chosen and in which she has been for 
 more than two years is described in the following report, which has 
 been condensed. 
 
 73] 
 
Investigation of Foster Home 
 
 Family. — Miss Martha Stone is an American of about fifty years of age, Protes- 
 tant. She is tall, with somewhat thin hair turning slightly gray above the temples. 
 She was quite reserved at first, but showed kindliness and friendliness. Miss 
 Stone has had a public school education and has gained quite a reputation both 
 in and her old home, , as a practical nurse. 
 
 History. — Miss Stone was born in Connecticut, but moved while very young 
 
 to . She lived there all her life until she came to five years ago. While 
 
 in she had some very practical care of children, looking after the children 
 
 of her brother. She also displayed in that town a keen sense of conamunity spirit. 
 She had charge of a small public library in her old home. 
 
 With her lives Miss Brace, a woman about sixty years old. Miss Stone and 
 
 Miss Brace are old friends, having lived together many years at . Miss 
 
 Brace is an American of Protestant religion. She has been in for three 
 
 years. She is tall and walks with a swinging, buoyant step. Her hair is quite 
 gray, but her face expresses a youthful humor and charm. Her manner is cordial 
 and easy. She is a farmer and takes entire care of 50 acres of ground. She 
 sometimes has a man to assist in the heaviest work 
 
 Home. — The environment is typically country. The school is half a mile 
 
 away in and also the church. The child would attend the Presbyterian 
 
 Sunday School. The home is an old stone farm-house, small, plain, extremely 
 neat looking. It is situated in a lonely, lovely ountry, with tiny fields and low 
 hills all about. The nearest neighbors are in the village, one-half mile away. 
 The first floor is a sort of basement arrangement. Here they have their kitchen, 
 a large, airy room, and off the kitchen a store-room. The hving room is a livable 
 looking room, with old New England charm. Everything is exquisitely neat. 
 Besides the Hving room there are three rooms rented to their paying summer 
 guests. A stairway leads to a half-story attic. There are two attic rooms on this 
 floor, and these are occup ed by Miss Stone and Miss Brace. The general condi- 
 tion of the place is good. There is no bath in the house, and there is an outside 
 toilet. It was in good condition. There is a small-sized barn several hundred 
 feet from the house, and it looked in fairly good condition. 
 
 Finances. — Miss Stone has not been employed in any capacity exceptinglby her 
 brother as a nurse for his children and has done nursing in cases of light iUness. 
 Even now she sometimes goes out to nurse friends or neighbors. She does very 
 little of this because her summer boarders keep her very busy. Miss Stone and 
 Miss Brace own their own home and 50 acres of land. From this farm they de- 
 rive a comfortable living. To help matters along they have their summer guests, 
 and they hope, when the new bungalow is finished, to have from eight to ten 
 boarders, each one paying ten dollars a week. (This was in 1918.) 
 
 Social Connections. — Miss Stone belongs to the Presb3i,erian Church. They 
 are in very close touch with all church social activities and they have many 
 friends in the village. 
 
 Child Desired. — Miss Stone said she would be unable to come to New York to 
 see a child; that she would trust to the judgment of the S. C. A. A. in selecting 
 the kind best suited to her needs. She would like a Uttle girl about twelve years 
 of age. She is taking her for companionship and to do small errands. She be- 
 Ueves a country child would be best, and they would like some one who would be 
 
 174] 
 
able to fit in nicely with their home life. If the child is satisfactory, she hopes to 
 adopt her and bring her up as her own girl. 
 
 References. — Mrs. A. H., , New York. Mrs. H. said she could always 
 
 say a good word for Miss Stone. She has known Miss Stone for five years — the 
 longer she knows her the better she likes her; in fact, Miss Stone is liked by every 
 one in the village, and she holds quite a place in the communit . As for a child 
 being placed there, she thought it would be splendid for both the child and Miss 
 Stone. She mentioned Miss Stone's excellent training in the care of children. 
 She recommended Miss Stone as well as Miss Brace very highly. Agent feels 
 that Mrs. H. is a sensible woman and would have good judgment about a home for 
 a child. 
 
 Mrs. D. A. and Mrs. E. B., , New York. Agent called to see Mrs. A. 
 
 and her daughter, Mrs. B. They have a farm just on the edge of the village. 
 Their place looked quite prosperous, and the references seemed of good standing 
 and respectable people. Mrs. A spoke of Miss Stone's knowledge of practical 
 nursing. She said she was unusually efficient, besides being a very kindly and 
 gentle woman. Mrs. B. said she felt that Miss Stone has a way with children 
 most unusual in a woman of her age. Mrs. B. has a little boy and she said she 
 has often seen Miss Stone's attitude toward this httle boy. They both have 
 known Miss Stone for three years. 
 
 Independent Reference. — Mr. and Mrs. C. B., the B Hotel, , New 
 
 York, good independent references. Mr. and Mrs. B. said that Miss Stone is a 
 very kind, intelligent woman. They seemed to feel Miss Brace is very unusual 
 because she is a farmer. They spoke of Miss Stone's good standing in the village, 
 and felt a child would have devoted and loving care with these two women. 
 
 Agent's Opinion. — ^Agent feels this home would be ideal for a child accustomed 
 to the quietness of the coimtry, for there prevails in the whole place a certain 
 quiet, natural, homey atmosphere. Any child responding to their care would be 
 greatly loved and could be very happy. 
 
 Miss Stone had written before Julia went to her, "I have always 
 had children with me until recently, and I miss their brightness. She 
 will, of course, have her duties and work to do, but no more than will 
 be good for her. We are two women making a home for ourselves and 
 we will share it with her." Just before Julia was to go there Miss 
 Stone wrote her a little note welcoming her, and the agent who called 
 to take her out to the country found JuUa delighted with it and read- 
 ing and rereading it. 
 
 There were, of course, many difficulties in adapting Julia even to 
 this kindly home, but there has been good feeling on the part of both 
 Miss Stone and Julia to help in the settling down. The last report re- 
 ceived, which came from Julia's teacher, said, "JuUa is doing very 
 well in school. She has a very nice home, and is apparently very 
 
 [75 1 
 
happy in it. She is showing a steady improvement in character, is 
 developing habits of industry and neatness, and a taste for the better 
 things of Ufe. She particularly pleases me by showing a marked de- 
 gree of improvement in truthfulness and in confidence in her friends. 
 I have grown fond of the child and am very much interested in her 
 training." 
 
 It should perhaps be added that, although there seemed a possi- 
 biUty of overwork here, later supervision showed no such difficulty. 
 
 Choosing Homes for Older Children 
 
 The choice of a home for a child over twelve presents a different 
 problem from that of the placement of a young child. For one thing, 
 the older girls and boys have probably been recently taken away from 
 their own homes and are consequently resentful and distrustful. They 
 are not hkely to take kindly to new parents. Therefore it is not always 
 possible for the family to treat them as sons and daughters. Such an 
 attitude in the children will never yield to forcing. Much better to 
 leave it alone and to concentrate on trying to understand and to solve 
 the child's particular problems. 
 
 One obvious difficulty with these placements is the neglect and vice 
 in the midst of which these children have grown up, and which have 
 usually resulted in faults which will need patient correction. There 
 are also the children who have had Httle recent experience of family 
 life, coming from institutions, and who must be helped through the 
 period of adaptation to life in the ordinary household. This, together 
 with the suspicion and resentment which make up so large a part of 
 the consciousness of children forcibly taken from their own homes, 
 forms a problem which calls for imderstanding and patience on the 
 part of the foster parents. 
 
 Simple Homes Preferred. — One general rule has been found to hold 
 good in these placements, and that is that the children are much 
 happier — and therefore more successful — in simpler homes, nearer 
 their own level, than in homes which are too refined and too remote 
 socially from the children's original environment. A girl placed in a 
 
 [76] 
 
suburban home with a young couple, possibly college people, where 
 she is to help with the baby and be treated as a member of the family, 
 is not nearly so happy as a girl in a plain country home, where she may 
 have to work twice as hard and have half the advantages, but where 
 she feels at home and takes share and share alike with the family. 
 
 In the home of better social and intellectual standards she cannot 
 really become a member of the family unless both she and the family 
 are exceptional. The training may be far more intelligent in the more 
 cultured home, but the personal interest is usually lacking and it is 
 that that decides the girl's happiness and her progress. The position of 
 a girl in these "superior homes" is usually anomalous. She is neither 
 servant nor member of the family. She may be given a better educa- 
 tion, but at the end of that time she is no nearer a solution of her social 
 problem. In the simpler home she may have fewer educational 
 chances, but at least she has the satisfaction of knowing that she has 
 as much as the family's own daughter would have. And she has a 
 defined and acceptable position in the family and in the community 
 besides. 
 
 It is true that there are very few of these plainer homes available 
 and that there are plenty of the more refined kind, but when one can 
 choose one would usually take the simpler environment, where the de- 
 mands are less, the tolerance greater, and the sense of equality more 
 marked. 
 
 The character of the men of the foster family is an important factor 
 in the placement of an older child. The influence of the man on the 
 boy of twelve or fourteen may be a decisive element in the boy's 
 development. The moral character of the men of the family, when a 
 girl is to be placed there, is obviously of prime importance. It is never 
 safe to take these facts on trust or on one's observation. They should 
 be estabhshed by careful and explicit questioning of the references. 
 
 The attitude of the family toward the girl whom they propose to 
 take is perhaps the most important element in the placement. Will 
 they take her into the family without making her feel a sense of social 
 difference, will they be patient and imderstanding with her faults and 
 her difficulties, will they be really interested in seeing her make good? 
 
 [77 1 
 
Or will they think of her as a charity case, as some one who can be use- 
 ful and who will have to be kept in her place? Their point of view 
 more than anything else will determine the success or failure of the 
 venture. 
 
 The amount of work which is expected, the opportunities for making 
 friends and for recreation generally, and the amount of education for 
 which a girl or boy can hope should all be carefully examined. 
 
 \ 
 
 [78] 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 SUPERVISION 
 
 In the novels of a century ago the story ended with the marriage of 
 the hero and heroine. Modern novelists, believing that this is the 
 beginning and not the end of the drama, begin their tales where the 
 older novelists left off. So with supervision. To many people the 
 child's vicissitudes are over when he is placed in his foster home, and 
 he and his foster parents may be expected to live happily ever after. 
 But the experienced social worker knows that those vicissitudes are 
 often just beginning. We admit that all intimate human relationships 
 involve the most deUcate yet radical adjustments. Of few relation- 
 ships is this truer than that of foster parents and child. Some children 
 — and some parents — take to it like ducks to water. Others resist 
 stubbornly. It is with these that supervision must chiefly concern 
 itself. 
 
 We might describe supervision as a function demanding vigilance, 
 sympathy with both the family and child, the ability to interpret the 
 one to the other, and a capacity for practical assistance. Often an 
 understanding agent can avert difficulties — often she can explain away 
 existing difficulties. Her services may be only slightly needed for 
 years, but when she is wanted she is apt to be badly wanted. 
 
 In the matter of supervision, as in other branches of child placing, 
 few set rules can be made. The frequency of visits, the kind of school 
 reports obtained, interviewing of references — all these vary according 
 to the home and the child in question. A home about which there is 
 question or a child whose development is causing anxiety may be 
 visited every week. A family who have had a child for a number of 
 years and who have always been found satisfactory may be visited 
 only once a year. The visits are made almost invariably without 
 previous warning to the family. 
 
 [79 1 
 
Facts to be Obtained. — The average visit should include inquiry 
 into these matters : changes in the financial situation of the family or 
 in the personnel of the household, in its health or its standard of living; 
 and with regard to the child, into his health, his school work, his rec- 
 reation, his work outside school hours, his friends, and his oppor- 
 tunities for meeting people, his religious training, his position in the 
 household, where and with whom he sleeps, the condition of his cloth- 
 ing, his habits and training, and, most important of all, his own feehng 
 about his home and the family's feeling for him. 
 
 Health. — The child's health is one of the first points on which the 
 visitor should satisfy herself. In the case of a baby she will keep track 
 to some extent of the variations in formulae and weight. We say to 
 some extent, because the presumption is that the foster mother has 
 put the baby in the care of her doctor and is herself intelligent in such 
 matters. Moreover, these visits to children in free homes, unlike those 
 to babies in boarding homes, are relatively infrequent. The foster 
 mother must be trusted to do the right thing for the baby's health. It 
 is uncommon in the experience of the Association to find carelessness 
 or neglect or even ignorance. The baby's gain is a matter of pride to 
 the whole household. In the case of older children the diet should be 
 considered, the amount of outdoor play which the child gets, whether 
 he sleeps with his windows open, what kind of medicine is given him, 
 whether he is subject to colds, etc. If a child loses time at school from 
 illness, if he looks ill, if he has headaches, it will be wise for the agent to 
 talk with the family doctor, or, in some cases, to arrange to have the 
 child brought to the office for an examination by the office doctor. 
 Famines are usually wiUing to have their doctors consulted and are 
 glad of advice in medical matters. The agent may find it advisable 
 to suggest the name of a child specialist or to help the family with ar- 
 rangements for an operation, but in general the policy is to leave the 
 responsibility for medical care, as for everything else affecting the 
 child, to the family. Sometimes the Association may force some sort 
 of action upon the family, may insist that the child be taken to a 
 hospital or examined by a specialist, but even in so doing it will put 
 upon the family the responsibihty of seeing that this is done. This 
 
 [80] 
 
policy naturally involves more work and time for the agency than if 
 the agent took the matter entirely into her own hands, but it gives the 
 family experience and a habit of self-reliance which may prove of in- 
 calculable value. To educate the family into doing things itself rather 
 than relying upon the society is an important part of supervision. 
 ^- Child's Appearance. — Neatness and cleanliness are usually signifi- 
 cant of the child's general care. It is necessary to most children's 
 standing among other children that they be dressed as well as — 
 and as much as possible like — other children. Often an older girl will 
 herself offer to show the agent her clothes, or the foster mother will 
 take pride in displaying the clothes she has made. In fact the diffi- 
 culty is often to keep the talk about the child's clothes from swamping 
 the interview. A certain type of foster mother will think her whole 
 duty done by the child when she has fitted her out with hand-em- 
 broidered garments. In this kind of family the agent will have to 
 keep her eyes open for the more basic matters of training and ideals. 
 On the other hand, a mother who sends her child to school in shabby 
 or thin or uncouth clothing is neglecting not only the child's health, 
 but the social effect of his appearance. Such a mother is likely to be 
 careless of more significant matters. 
 \ Condition of House. — ^The neatness and cleanhness of the foster 
 home should, of course, be observed. For this purpose the visitor will 
 need to see more of the house than the parlor, into which she will 
 probably be ushered, or the kitchen, in which she will doubtless prefer 
 to sit. The foster mother will probably offer to show her the child's 
 bedroom, — ^in any case she should see it, — and she can see something 
 of the general condition of the house as she goes through. The clean- 
 liness of the child's bedroom, its furnishings, its heating and ventila- 
 tion, the comfort of the bed, must all be considered. If the room is 
 shared with some other member of the family, it is essential to know 
 who and what that person is. 
 
 \ Sleeping Arrangements. — The arrangement of the sleeping rooms 
 
 of older children is of vital importance — not so much from the point 
 
 of view of order, as of privacy. It is obvious that an older girl should 
 
 not have a room through which people must pass to get from one 
 
 6 [81] 
 
room to another, and yet such arrangements are common. The agent 
 should know exactly who shares a girl's or boy's room, who sleeps 
 nearby, on which side the door locks, whether it is kept locked. If a 
 boy and girl of about the same age are sleeping in adjacent rooms, the 
 arrangement needs the most careful supervision by the foster parents. 
 An arrangement of rooms which leaves the girl alone on the floor with 
 the hired man should not be permitted for an instant. Even little 
 girls should not be allowed to sleep in a room too near that of the son 
 of the house unless the foster parents are watchful. Placing a girl 
 over seven or eight in a home where there is a boy somewhat older, or 
 an adolescent boy in a home with a younger girl, may create a dan- 
 gerous situation. The boy and girl have not the safeguards of chil- 
 dren brought up together, the habit of familiarity, and the awakening 
 of normal sexual curiosity may be overstimulated by propinquity. 
 Moreover, a ** charity girl" may be considered fair prey sexually by a 
 man who would behave decently with a girl of his own class. A child 
 who has had premature sexual experience, as some of these children 
 have, is peculiarly Hable to the dangers of this sort of proximity. For 
 all these reasons it is imperative that the agency guard against possible 
 disaster by such practical methods as safeguarding the sleeping ar- 
 rangements, even though it may be necessary to take precautions 
 which to the lay person seem extreme. 
 
 Foster parents are often extraordinarily imsuspecting about such 
 matters, and may resent warnings as slurs on the character of their 
 son or daughter. For this reason the suggestion must be tactfully 
 presented. It is not enough to say that if you investigate carefully 
 enough beforehand you can eliminate the homes in which such things 
 can happen. Such possibilities are unforeseeable nine times out of 
 ten. But vigilance on the part of the agent and a warning to the 
 foster mother will often prevent disaster. 
 
 In order to get a complete picture of the child's Hfe in his foster 
 home the routine of his day must be known. For instance: when 
 does he get up in the morning? what work does he do before school? 
 how does he spend his evenings? when does he go to bed? Needless to 
 say, it is seldom necessary to ask all these questions directly; the 
 
 [82] 
 
information usually comes out naturally in the course of talk, and 
 should do so, because there is then a better chance of friendliness be- 
 tween the agent and the family. 
 
 Work. — It seems obvious that it is of first importance in super- 
 vision to know how much work the child does. In spite of this, some 
 children are overworked. It is not always an easy thing to define — 
 undoubtedly it varies with each child's physical and practical ca- 
 pacity—nor is it always easy to discover. Most foster children are 
 extremely reticent about complaining; they volunteer Httle informa- 
 tion about what work they do, and it is only when the visitor can see 
 the child alone and make him feel that he can trust her that she can 
 discover the facts. It is imperative, therefore, that the visitor make 
 a point of getting the child's confidence in this as in other respects. 
 She must make her questions detailed and concrete. It is not enough 
 to know that a boy of ten carries wood and water; one should know 
 how much wood he carries and how big and heavy the buckets are 
 and what distance he has to go with them. One must know how 
 much of the family ironing a fourteen-year-old girl does. Foster par- 
 ents may be negligent about making sure that the child is not lifting 
 weights that are too heavy, nor working too long. It is the agent's 
 business to see that this does not happen. 
 
 Overwork has another harmful influence on the child — and that is 
 its depressing and deadening effect. The time which he has for play 
 is an important factor in any child's fife, and one which some foster 
 parents, brought up in the school of hard work, easily forget. Chil- 
 dren must be protected quite as much from the dulling effect of con- 
 tinual work as from the harmful physical results. 
 
 Wages. — ^The amount of wages which should be paid the boy or 
 girl who has finished school and is working at home is a matter which 
 causes frequent friction with foster families. They may argue that 
 they would not expect to pay their own children for their help. Never- 
 theless, a family who take into their home a boy of twelve or more 
 usually do so for the help which he can give. After he leaves school 
 and begins to work he should be adequately paid for his labor and his 
 wages should be increased as he becomes more capable. It is generally 
 
 [83 1 
 
agreed that the old indenture system of giving a boy a colt or a calf, 
 a Bible, and a hundred dollars when he reaches the age of twenty- 
 one should be replaced by the payment of a regular wage from the 
 time that the boy leaves school and begins to work. Here again the 
 agent must be watchful in helping the boy or girl to secure fair terms 
 from the foster family. 
 
 The type of work which the child does and the amount which he is 
 paid vary necessarily with each individual, and also with the local 
 situation. Some children are capable of taking speciaUzed trade or 
 academic or mechanical training; others are capable only of simple 
 routine work under supervision. Wages must vary correspondingly. 
 Moreover, the community in which the child has grown up may offer 
 very limited occupational opportunities; nevertheless, the agency 
 may not wish to have the chUd leave his foster home for the sake of 
 getting him a better job in a town fifty miles away, even though his 
 capacities may be greater than his opportunities. Wages, again, 
 are affected by current market prices, and cannot be fixed with much 
 uniformity. 
 
 The fact that there is no fixed scale of work or wages should not be 
 taken to mean that the agency neglects this important phase of the 
 supervision of older children. It means simply that the agent who 
 is supervising must ascertain the child's abihty, his preferences and 
 the local opportunities for work; and that she must come to an agree- 
 ment with the family and the child as to what work the child shall 
 do and what he shall be paid. In other words, each case will be 
 settled individually. 
 
 Recreation. — ^This is a matter which the agent will sometimes have 
 to take in hand. She will not do so unless the foster parents can't 
 or won't — in any case she will put upon them as much responsibility 
 for it as she possibly can. But sometimes, with her wider knowl- 
 edge of recreational resources, — ^gymnasium, Y.W.C.A. or Y.M.C.A., 
 settlement clubs, — she can put the girl or boy in the way of amuse- 
 ments about which the family could not know. She may often be 
 able to enlist the interest of a Camp Fire leader or a Boy Scout master 
 in the child in question, to take him about a little and introduce him 
 
 [84] 
 
to people who may be helpful. But she will try to make the family 
 take the larger share in this, leaving it to them to make the connections 
 and to keep them, as far as possible. She will find out, in the course 
 of her visit, what the child does with his leisure, where he spends it, 
 who his playmates are, and whether the neighborhood children are 
 friendly to him or whether he is forced to play with the **bad chil- 
 dren." 
 
 \ Place in the Community. — ^The child's part in the life of the com- 
 munity is one of the tests of a successful placement, and the agent 
 will make it her business to find out what that part is. His church 
 attendance and his connection with church activities, which especially 
 in the country form so large a part of the neighborhood life, are im- 
 portant factors. The distance from church, the facilities for getting 
 there, the regularity of attendance should all be included in the 
 agent's inquiries. 
 
 /; Spending Money. — ^A minor point, but one worth consideration, is 
 the child's allowance. However small the amount may be, the pos- 
 session of it gives him useful experience and a certain standing among 
 other children. 
 , Education. — In this country of pubHc schools this should not per- 
 
 '' haps need the attention that it does. But the variation in standards 
 and in quality of teaching throughout the widely differing schools of 
 city and country makes careful observation necessary. Points to be 
 considered are the distance from school, how the child gets there, 
 whether on foot or by school 'bus, and the regularity of his attend- 
 ance. The quality of work done in the school should be watched. 
 Occasionally the Association has suggested to the family transferring 
 a child from a small country school to a better school in a nearby 
 town, where they have to pay a tuition fee. 
 
 One reason why the agency should follow so closely the school work 
 of its charges is that it may be able to assist promising children to 
 further schoohng, either by persuading the parents to provide it, 
 which is decidedly the better course, or by itself helping, either with 
 a money allowance or by putting the child in the way of scholarships 
 or special training schools, when the foster parents cannot assist. One 
 
 [85 1 
 
of the illustrative cases which follows is an instance of the help given 
 to an ambitious girl who wished to continue in school and whose foster 
 mother could not help her. The Association can always put its 
 knowledge of different types of schools — ^mechanical or trade schools, 
 for instance — at the disposal of the family, and often this kind of ad- 
 vice is as much needed as financial subsidies. 
 
 It is sometimes possible for the society to improve the educational 
 standard of the whole commimity by its insistence that its ward get 
 the right kind of schooling. For instance, this Association was super- 
 vising two boys whose foster family went into the wood to a lumber 
 camp every winter. There was no school within reach. The other 
 famihes were apparently indifferent to the lack of schools for their 
 children. The Association brought the matter to the notice of the 
 Department of Education, and a school was created for all the lumber 
 camp children. 
 
 School Reports. — ^The Association has used a method of school re- 
 ports for keeping track of the work of the supervised children which 
 has been found generally successful. A letter is written to the family 
 some time before school opens, explaining that the Association wishes 
 to keep in touch with the child's school work, and asking them, if 
 they have no objection, to send the name and address of the teacher. 
 A letter enclosing a report blank is then sent the teacher, saying that 
 the Association is interested in the child in question and would like 
 to be kept informed of his progress. The teacher then sends reports 
 directly to the Association. In many cases, however, the community 
 does not know that the child is a foster child or where he comes from; 
 the foster parents then send copies of the reports to the office. This 
 is usually true of famihes who took very young children. These re- 
 ports include, in addition to the formal statement of school work, 
 some information as to the child's looks, his conduct, and his attitude 
 toward his foster parents. This method is valuable not only for this 
 formal statement, but for the opinion which it furnishes, from the 
 point of view of a disinterested outsider, of the child's place in the 
 household and in the community. 
 
 Relation Between Parents and Child. — ^All these facts are the basis 
 
 [86] 
 
on which the visitor will build up her estimate of the home and of the 
 child's care. But, as in the case of the investigation, this material, 
 absolutely essential as it is, is only half of what a good report should 
 contain. One must have in addition information about the less tan- 
 gible but equally important factors in the foster child's life: his place 
 in the household; his happiness or unhappiness; his acceptance by 
 the community and his own emotional and mental development. 
 First among these considerations is his relationship to his foster par- 
 ents. 
 
 The question of how far a child has the capacity for satisfying his 
 parents' hopes of him is one that should be settled, if one may say so, 
 before it arises. In other words, the greatest care should be used to 
 choose the right home for him in the first place. This involves know- 
 ing both family and child thoroughly. One must think in t^rms of 
 years in placing children, trying to visualize what will happen when 
 the jolly baby of three or four becomes the strong or weak-willed child 
 of nine or ten. 
 
 The strain on both family and child, but especially on the child, of 
 his failure to fulfil expectations, is one of the most disastrous results 
 of a misplacement. The attempts at mutual adaptation between a 
 family with ambitions for educating their child and a child dull at 
 school, between a family with high standards of refinement and a 
 child who develops a coarse-grained temperament, between a quiet 
 and conservative family and a child with a taste for excitement, are 
 full of pitfalls. In such a situation the only thing to do is to watch 
 closely enough to judge whether the child has the capacity for satis- 
 fying his parents or whether they have the flexibility to alter their 
 ideals. If it seems improbable that they can meet on common ground, 
 the wisest and kindest thing is to separate them. But only rarely will 
 one do that before every other way has been tried. Often the first 
 six months or a year are the most diflScult period. If the family can 
 hold out that long, the child will often round his difiicult corner and 
 give little cause for anxiety afterward. 
 
 One should consider also how far the foster parents are capable of 
 meeting the child's needs. If there is pronounced incompatibility, 
 
 [87] 
 
the foster parents can probably not go far, because they will be unable 
 to understand the child. Here the agent can be of service in inter- 
 preting the child's difficulties, by explaining how he is still struggling 
 against the sinister influences of his earlier life and is distrustful and 
 worried and in consequence disobedient and imresponsive. This pre- 
 supposes a thorough knowledge on the agent's part of the child's his- 
 tory. She can sometimes illuminate the present situation by examples 
 of other children who have had the same faults and have come safely 
 through. 
 
 Difficult Adjustments. — ^We have previously discussed the diffi- 
 culties which may arise in families who have too set a standard of con- 
 duct and who expect a child to fit himself to the pattern of life which 
 they have made for themselves. Such difficulties constitute one of the 
 gravest problems of children's work. Many foster parents fail be- 
 cause their prejudices and settled ways of thinking are too inflexible 
 to admit of alteration. They are incapable of believing that a child 
 who steals at ten may prove a worthwhile person ten years later. 
 They never stole when they were young nor did any of their family — 
 or if they did, no one knew it — and therefore a child who steals must 
 be to them always an alien and beyond hope of reformation. Equally 
 difficult are the parents whose hopes have been set on seeing their son 
 head of his class in school. He may prove extremely efficient in prac- 
 tical ways, an attractive personality, but because he can't do arith- 
 metic and write compositions, he can never be a real part of the 
 family. The first investigation of the home should make this clear, 
 so that we will know what we must guard against. 
 
 For the first year or so the agent will need to watch closely to judge 
 whether the foster parents are giving the child the sort of training that 
 his character demands. It is true that a woman who is over-indulgent 
 will probably always be so, and that little can be done to brace her 
 up, but suggestion and warning by the agent may help somewhat. 
 Very often it is wise to advise a worried foster mother to let up a little 
 in her discipline; to let the child alone a little more, and to overlook 
 an occasional fault if it be not too flagrant. 
 
 Interviews with Foster Fathers. — At this point it may be worth say- 
 
 [88] 
 
ing that it is quite as important to keep in touch with the foster father 
 as with the foster mother. This is often hard to do, involving perhaps 
 a separate visit to his place of work or an evening visit at the house, 
 but it pays. For one thing, he may prove to have a different view of 
 the situation from that of his wife, and he may be more open to a new 
 conception of it. Or he may have more influence with the child, being 
 a less familiar part of the domestic machinery. Even if he is strictly 
 neutral and is leaving the child's training to his wife, it is worth while 
 to see him, if only to urge him to take a hand in the situation. Any 
 one who has read supervision reports has doubtless been struck by the 
 absence of any statement of interviews with the man of the family. 
 This is certainly not a normal state of affairs, for in most families the 
 father has a considerable part in the training of the children, although 
 the bulk of it is naturally done by the mother. The influence of the 
 foster father is probably quite as much of a determinant as that of the 
 mother, and it is the business of the agent to know of what kind it is. 
 Foster mothers will often start a discussion of the child while he 
 himself is in the room, and this the agent will certainly wish to 
 check. It is true that occasionally the agent and the mother will 
 wish to talk to the child together about his dijfficulties. But it 
 should be a general rule to discuss such matters out of the child's hear- 
 ing. It will dull his susceptibility to discipline to have his faults 
 dealt with in that way, and it will probably make him resentful and 
 suspicious of the agent, so that she will have trouble later in getting 
 him to talk naturally to her and to trust her. 
 
 \ Discipline. — The kind of punishment used by the family is often 
 highly indicative. Does the foster mother threaten punishments 
 which she is unable to carry out, or has she a rational system which 
 metes out an even-handed justice? The type of woman who is always 
 threatening to "take you back to the office if you aren't a good boy" 
 and who never does "take you back to the office" is obviously build- 
 ing up a confused standard of conduct for her child. On the other 
 hand, the type of woman who never overlooks any side-stepping from 
 the path of righteousness and who never forgets to carry out a threat 
 of punishment is creating probably a growth of resentment in her 
 
 [89 1 
 
child which will have its outlet sooner or later. Both mothers need 
 help, and if it is offered wisely and with not too plain a criticism, they 
 will probably accept it. 
 
 The policy of sending a child to the office to be discipUned is usually 
 unjustifiable, as it amounts really to an evasion by the foster parents 
 and certainly diminishes the child's respect for their authority. It 
 has the added bad effect of confusing the child as to who is in author- 
 ity, a confusion only too likely to exist anyivay. 
 
 Most parents would probably agree that generous praise for his 
 virtues helps a child more than punishment for his faults. 
 
 The attitude of other children, particularly in school, often has an 
 excellent effect on a difficult child, and here again the teacher can help, 
 by keeping a special watch on the child and on the behavior of the 
 others toward him. Criticism by his peers is usually more penetrating 
 than the parental criticism, which he, no doubt, often attributes to the 
 "crankiness" of grown-ups. Letting a troublesome child play a good 
 deal with other children, preferably older and bigger than he, is a 
 useful help to training. It is almost always best to discourage the 
 policy of isolation in which so many mothers indulge. 
 
 Child's Attitude. — There is another point which should be made in 
 connection with the difficulties that families and children have in ad- 
 justing to each other, and that is the state of mind in "adopted" chil- 
 dren, which is the result of their broken and disordered life — the feeling 
 of dependency. They feel that they have not been wanted, that they 
 were "given away" by their own parents, and that their remaining 
 in their foster homes is dependent on certain standards which they 
 only dimly understand. This feeling of uncertainty may result with 
 one tjrpe of child in an aggressiveness which acts as a cover to his 
 real fear of not making good; in another type, in an anxiety to do 
 the right thing and to please, which is no less difficult to meet. 
 That strained self-consciousness which one sees in so many of these 
 children is no doubt due largely to the latter cause. Undoubtedly 
 the essential cure for their uneasiness or aggressiveness is to reassure 
 them about the stability of their present home, and not to make too 
 many demands on them nor to pay too strict attention to their falls 
 
 [901 
 
from grace. To leave these children as free as possible from the con- 
 sciousness of a critical eye is to help them tremendously to a more 
 normal attitude toward society. 
 
 Informing Child That he is Adopted. — One problem of supervision 
 which is much discussed just now is the advisability of telling the 
 children that they are not the family^s own children. Obviously, this 
 is a problem which concerns only the children placed as infants. 
 Many foster parents object so seriously to telling their children that 
 it is impossible to insist on it. On the other hand, apparently an 
 increasing number suggest doing so when they make their first appli- 
 cation for a child. The pohcy of this Association is increasingly in 
 favor of informing the children. The age at which the child is told and 
 the manner of telling will have a great deal to do with the way in 
 which the information affects him. It seems hkely that many more 
 children than one knows about are already somewhat suspicious, 
 thanks often to the talk of other children, and that they are, there- 
 fore, somewhat prepared. The sting is often taken out of the dis- 
 closure if the child is young enough to take things for granted and not 
 to be surprised, and if he grows up with the knowledge so that it falls 
 into place in his mind with other facts which he is daily learning. This 
 will usually eliminate the shock with which older children sometimes 
 learn that they are adopted. If the child is kept in ignorance, there 
 are innumerable chances of his learning the truth, which is not likely 
 to be softened by the realization that his foster parents intended that 
 it should be kept from him. If the parents can choose the time and 
 the circumstances for informing the child, they can do it more gently 
 and with a far better control of the situation. The questions which 
 the child asks will have to be answered with as much truth as he can 
 comprehend and can stand. There seems no doubt that this poUcy, 
 far from alienating the child, as so many people fear, will enhance his 
 confidence in his parents. It will certainly make for that honesty and 
 mutual understanding which should be at the basis of this most per- 
 sonal and delicate relationship. 
 
 Adaptability of Family. — In all the difficulties which may arise in 
 the course of settling the child and the family into their conomon 
 
 [911 
 
life, it seems clear from experience that the agent should address 
 herself to the family rather than to the child. If an adjustment must 
 be made, the family should do more than half the work of adaptation. 
 They have the advantage of age — and presumably of understanding — 
 over the child, they have all the incentives to make the experiment a 
 success, and they are not hampered, as the child is, by an unhappy past 
 life. Presumably they are in better control of their emotions and im- 
 pulses than the child. The child is, moreover, in the disadvantageous 
 position of the newcomer on strange ground. He is usually aware of 
 being on probation; whereas if he is judging the family, no one knows 
 it, as a rule. He is uncertain of his position, afraid of what may hap- 
 pen if he leaves this shelter. All these factors make his conduct 
 problematic and uncontrolled. The family have all the advantages 
 which he lacks. It is surely fair to ask them to bear a double burden 
 of responsibility for the experiment. This point of view, simple as it 
 may seem, is strangely unfamiliar to some foster parents, who con- 
 sciously — or more often unconsciously — expect the child to make all 
 the adaptations. The agent in such cases should make clear to them 
 the child's side and enlist their patience and their sympathy. 
 
 Danger in Stressing "Problems." — There is one danger of which 
 the agent should be aware, and that is the danger of letting the special 
 problem overshadow the situation as a whole. One has read many 
 reports in which the child's particular difficulty — ^let us say, ill health 
 — ^has been so much to the fore in the agent's mind that she has seen 
 nothing else; the child's school work, his personaUty as a whole, his 
 status in the family, have all been overlooked. Not only does this 
 give a wrong picture of the child's life as a whole, but it is likely to 
 mean that the agent's own picture is out of drawing and that she really 
 has forgotten to consider the other ingredients that make up the com- 
 plex of the child's life. It is essential to see the special problem in its 
 place as a part of the child's past and present experience, and of his 
 personality as a whole; otherwise, the agent may find, after a year's 
 supervision, that she has overlooked any number of important mat- 
 ters in the life of the child and of the household because of her dis- 
 proportionate emphasis upon his special difficulty. 
 
 [92] 
 
Need for Flexibility in Supervision. — Most child-placing agencies 
 have no doubt discovered that it is necessary to make exceptions to 
 nearly every rule which they may make regarding the treatment of 
 the child in his foster home. It is obvious that certain regulations 
 which may work successfully with one type of family will be seriously 
 hampering or impossible to carry out with another. For instance, one 
 would insist, in the ordinary household, that a child under six be in 
 bed by seven or half past. But in an Italian family, where the family's 
 own children seldom get to bed before eleven, this cannot be insisted 
 upon. It would simply be ignored. One must adjust oneself to racial 
 customs or to local ways of living. It is undoubtedly bad for children 
 to be given tea and coffee, but every one knows that it is impossible 
 to prevent it in certain kinds of homes. It is a wholesome rule that 
 every child should have a bed to himself, but to people on farms this 
 seems ridiculous, because it is not the local custom, and the agent 
 must be content with finding out with whom the child does sleep and 
 insisting that a young boy should not share a room with a hired man 
 of unknown or doubtful character. Supervision must often seem to 
 resolve itself into a series of compromises. But a makeshift may be 
 better than nothing at all, and it is usually worth while to adjust one's 
 demands to the ability of the family to carry them out. This is not 
 to advocate compromise in every instance; where any moral danger 
 threatens the child, where his health is neglected or his happiness un- 
 certain, compromise is not to be considered. But in matters of less 
 vital significance it is necessary, if the work is to be carried on with any 
 degree of human understanding, to be flexible. 
 
 The Family*s Responsibility. — There is one principle of supervision 
 which the Association has made a point of maintaining, and that is one 
 which we have already mentioned — ^giving the chief responsibility to 
 the family. The basic reason for this, in the opinion of the Associa- 
 tion, is that it reinforces the tie between parents and child to have all 
 authority and all plans for the child emanate from the parents. It 
 parallels more closely than any other system the normal household 
 and family life. The child is thus not confused by a double authority, 
 which must have for him the added bad effect of singling him out 
 
 [93] 
 
from other children who have no *' Society" interested in them. As 
 an additional reason, there is the attitude of the family to be con- 
 sidered; their sense of possession — a perfectly normal feeling — ^is cer- 
 tainly increased by the realization that the real responsibility for 
 the child rests in their hands. They are much less likely to fall into 
 an attitude of passivity, looking to the Association to attend to any 
 but the routine matters of the child's life. Feeling that the planning 
 and the action must be theirs for anything affecting the child, they 
 will take the initiative. Undoubtedly, if the life of the placed child is 
 to be as nearly as possible the life of the child living with his own 
 parents, all these principles are essential. The agency will have to 
 lend a hand frequently; the family may need advice about doctors, 
 about schools, about various details of the child's upbringing. It will 
 always be a consulting office and much more. But when the agency 
 does arrange special school plans for the child or suggest a change in 
 the training, it does so through the parents, who are almost always the 
 intermediary between the child and the agency. Usually it will give 
 the family the names of the doctors or hospitals or schools which it 
 recommends, leaving them to make all the plans, rather than itself 
 making the inquiries and the final arrangements. This may be a more 
 difficult thing to do than taking over the arrangements bodily, and it 
 will often take far more time and energy, but it pays in the end if, as 
 a result, the family develop a stronger sense of responsibility and 
 greater resourcefulness. The next time that a crisis arises the family 
 will be better prepared to handle it. And the child will be spared the 
 reminder of his belonging to a "Society" instead of to a father and 
 mother as the other children do. 
 
 Unobtrusive Supervision. — Just as the agency will do its work for 
 the child as unobtrusively as possible, so the visitor will do hers. 
 First of all, she should learn not to talk about her work to the casual 
 interested person, except, of course, of its general policy. Any one 
 who has done field work in the coimtry districts is familiar with the 
 high light of curiosity in which the field worker moves. The agent 
 will have to learn how to combine civility with reticence. When she 
 is calling at the school to see the child, she must do it, if possible, in 
 
 [94] 
 
such a way as to escape the curiosity and comment of the other chil- 
 dren. In talking to the references she is, of course, freer, since they 
 were in the secret to begin with, but she will certainly avoid giving 
 them any but the most general and the least identifying facts about 
 the child's circumstances and history. In general she is guided by the 
 principle of saying and doing as little as possible to mark the child out 
 from other children. She must do her utmost to accelerate the process 
 by which the child is absorbed into the life of the household and of the 
 •community. She will certainly not emphasize the authority of the 
 Association over the child unless it is absolutely necessary — as may 
 happen. 
 
 Perhaps the first consideration of the visiting agent should be to 
 put the foster family at their ease with her. An agent who is already 
 known will naturally be received with less embarrassment than a 
 stranger. During the first visit made after the child is placed there is 
 particularly likely to be awkwardness. General talk, friendly inquiry 
 about family concerns, even discussion of the weather, make an easier 
 entry into the heart of the visit than too abrupt questioning. 
 
 Time of Visit. — In Monograph Number 1 the choice of the time of 
 the visit has been fully discussed; the same considerations would apply 
 to some extent to visits of supervision. In some cases the visitor 
 will wish to call when the child will be home from school; in other 
 cases she will prefer to have her talk alone with the foster mother and 
 to see the child alone at school later. But in general the visitor has 
 to make her calls how and when she can, especially on long trips into 
 the country, where the circumstances of her visit are conditioned by 
 infrequent trains and impatient drivers and bad roads. She will nat- 
 urally prefer not to call when the family wash is at its thickest, but 
 will sometimes wish to be there at meal-time to see what kind of food 
 the child is getting. It is usually bad policy for a visitor accustomed 
 to city hours to forget that country people go to bed early; visits are 
 not made under the happiest conditions when the household is starting 
 to go to bed. This is merely to say, in other words, that the visitor 
 must remember to adapt herself as far as possible to local customs, 
 not only in such details, but in her criticism of the family, remember- 
 
 [95] 
 
ing that the real test of the home is how it measures up not to her 
 standard, but to the standard of the community. 
 
 Attitude of Community Towards Child. — ^The relation of the child 
 to the community constitutes always a crucial point in supervision. 
 It seems altogether probable that the future of the child-placing sys- 
 tem may be determined by its abiUty to meet this test: does the 
 placed child become an imquestioned — or rather perhaps an accepted 
 — member of the family and of the community? If he does not, if a 
 real difference is made by the community between children in their 
 own homes and children in foster homes, one may say that the system 
 is inadequate. It is a paramount necessity of good child-placing that 
 the child be absorbed into the ordinary life of the community without 
 too much comment. Never should the child be known as **the boy 
 that comes from the charitable society." This is not to say that all 
 children can be accepted with equal ease. Older children whose 
 memories are more developed and who talk at school about their own 
 parents are bound to be the subject of comment. Any child, when he 
 first comes into a household, is sure to cause speculation. But under 
 ordinary circumstances this talk soon dies out and people cease to 
 think of the child as an alien. The tendency to blame any divergence 
 from accepted canons of conduct on the fact that the child is 
 ^' adopted '* is a human trait that one can hardly hope to check. But 
 education and familiarity with the idea of placing out will do much to 
 make the child the object of friendly rather than hostile comment, 
 and one may reasonably hope that friendly comment will in the 
 course of time become no conmient at all. Already there seems to be 
 a noticeable tendency to watch the foster child with an approving eye. 
 
 Teacher's Assistance. — The supervising agent can do certain things 
 to forward this acceptance of the child by the family and community. 
 She can, for instance, take the teacher somewhat into her confidence 
 and get her help. Most children's workers are doubtless familiar with 
 the fact that teachers sometimes make an invidious difference between 
 their treatment of foster children and other children. In the experi- 
 ence of the Association such a state of things rarely exists. The teach- 
 ers may be reluctant to increase their work by making up special re- 
 
 [96] 
 
ports, or they may suspect a too pressing inquiry into their methods, 
 but the antagonistic attitude is fortunately unconmion. In fact, the 
 teachers by and large are generally of real help when they understand 
 the situation, and often take a special interest in helping the foster 
 child. An agent may often, without violating the family's desire for 
 secrecy, explain to the teacher that the child has had a hard life, has 
 been to school irregularly, has had little training of any kind, and is in 
 the midst of adjusting himself to new conditions. The attitude of 
 other children in the school is also of importance. Every one knows 
 the cruelty of which children are capable toward one another; this is 
 particularly true of this situation. The foster child is usually behind 
 his grade, bigger and older than the other children in his class; he is 
 the newcomer, and because of neglect, uncertain of himself and often 
 imattractive. Here the teacher can throw the weight of her approval 
 into the scales and determine whether the balance means happiness 
 or unhappiness to the foster child. She can, without doing it so 
 obviously as to make matters worse, protect the child until his place 
 is established. She may often give him special attention to bring him 
 up to grade. 
 
 If the agent has a chance of meeting other members of the family, 
 she can take much the same line with them. She can show the foster 
 parents how the child's earlier Hfe is still haunting him. Only the 
 workers themselves can have any vivid idea of the misery and cruelty 
 in the midst of which so many of these children have lived. It is sel- 
 dom wise to stress too heavily the concrete facts of this life, as it is 
 sometimes hard for foster parents not to be repelled by them to the 
 extent of carrying over some of their feeling to their attitude toward 
 the child. But this experience can be interpreted in such a way as to 
 clarify their understanding of what the child has to struggle against. 
 
 Visiting References. — The original references, who have naturally 
 more interest than the other friends of the family in the success of the 
 experiment, will sometimes be of service. They can often give the 
 foster mother who has had little experience with children encourage- 
 ment and advice. Foster mothers often say, " I talked to Mrs. Smith 
 about Billy's lying. She says her boy used to He too, but she trained 
 7 [97 1 
 
him out of it." The agent can sometimes engage the sympathy of one 
 of these references, talking to her much as she did to the teacher, and 
 getting her to use her friendly relations with the foster parents to 
 offer an occasional word of advice. A by-product of this interest of 
 the references is the sympathy which it creates for the child in the 
 community. 
 
 The question of seeing references in connection with visiting the 
 child is, however, a moot point. It is sometimes difficult to do this 
 without arousing the resentment of the family, who are almost cer- 
 tain to know of it. When the family have moved into a new neighbor- 
 hood, where no one knows that the child is not their own, it is cer- 
 tainly unfair, as a rule, to risk an inquiry. There are, however, a few 
 references whom the family are willing to have the agent consult; the 
 teacher, perhaps the clergyman. If a home is at all questionable, an 
 agent will certainly need to confirm her own observation by consulting 
 a reference, either an original or an independent reference. 
 
 If the family or the child is dissatisfied, or if there is a doubt in the 
 visitor's mind as to what exactly is the state of things, she should by 
 all means clear up her doubts by consulting references. Often they 
 know facts not easily a^ccessible to the visitor which they are willing 
 to tell and which may be exceedingly valuable. 
 
 The teacher as an independent reference can often give valuable in- 
 formation; whether the child gets to school on time, how he is dressed, 
 whether he is tired or fresh in the morning, whether he seems happy, 
 and what the attitude of his parents is toward him. 
 
 The agent can often help the older child to find his place by talking 
 with him about things which may jeopardize his standing in the com- 
 munity. For instance, it is often wise to warn a young girl not to 
 talk broadcast about the wretchedness of her own home, but to dis- 
 cuss it only with her foster family or with the agent herself. It is, of 
 course, essential that she should feel free to talk it over with some one 
 who can interpret it for her and who can help her in her process of 
 emergence from it. But if she discusses it at school, it is sure to result 
 in a degree of social ostracism — and nothing could be worse for the 
 adolescent girl or boy in this situation. Of course, nothing helps to 
 
 [98] 
 
erase these early memories so much as the sense of being well settled 
 in a congenial foster home. 
 
 Relation Between Agent and Family. — Good miderstanding be- 
 tween the agent and the families whom she visits is obviously of first 
 importance. That they should like and respect each other is an im- 
 portant part of their relationship, and one for which the agent will 
 work constantly. A sense of mutual confidence and interest will have 
 its beneficial influence on the family situation. 
 
 There are, however, a few foster families with whom a friendly atti- 
 tude on the part of the visitor is hard to maintain ; f amihes who are 
 suspicious, resentful of the agent's authority over their child, who are 
 antagonized by what they consider the society's interference in their 
 domestic affairs, or famihes who are bent on carrying out a policy of 
 training which the agent cannot but consider harmful for the child. 
 
 There are various ways of dealing with this situation; one is to 
 find out in the course of your original investigation whether the family 
 are Hkely to take that tone. For instance, the agent should discuss at 
 that time the regular supervision maintained, the joint control exer- 
 cised by family and agency, and she should find out from references 
 whether the family have the reputation of being hard to deal with. 
 It should, however, be remembered that this antagonism may be the 
 reverse side of a quality of genuine value, their championship of the 
 child. While such an attitude carried to an extreme is dangerous, the 
 basis of it is sound. The protection insured by it for the child is not 
 to be Hghtly ignored or disapproved. By tact and patience, by good 
 humor and self-restraint, an agent can do much to win the family's 
 friendliness. She can usually convince them finally that she comes not 
 to find fault, but to help. By letting them talk themselves out on 
 their grievances she can make them feel that their complaints are not 
 being slighted. Much depends on her attitude. If it is one of dis- 
 approval, she will plainly never make headway. But if she can be 
 open-minded and patient and slow to take offense, she can go far 
 toward building up friendliness between the family and the organiza- 
 tion. There are ways and ways of offering criticism. If it is done with 
 open disapproval, it will certainly be resented. But if it is done 
 
 [99] 
 
casually, it is likely to be accepted. Instead of saying, for instance, 
 "It is wrong to feed a young child on pie — it will make him sick," she 
 may say, "Did you ever try him with cereals or well-cooked vegeta- 
 bles? I know a good many famiUes who do that and the children 
 seem to gain on them." 
 
 Relation Between Agent and Child. — ^No less important than the 
 family's feeUng toward the society is the child's feeling. It is essen- 
 tial, whenever possible, to talk with him alone. This may be only a 
 ten-minute talk at the home under awkward conditions, or it may be 
 a long walk home from school with him. In either case it should be 
 made to count for something. It is the only chance of contact that 
 the child has with the organization, which he sometimes thinks of as 
 a remote and formidable entity which interferes with him and may 
 be used as a "big stick" against him — "If you aren't good I'll write 
 to the office about you." To erase this impression and to give him 
 instead a sense of confidence and friendliness is an important part of 
 the visitor's duty. 
 
 The system of having one agent in charge of a group of children 
 whom she visits regularly gets the best results because, after a few 
 visits, the children lose their shyness and come to feel that the agent 
 is really interested in them.^ This continuity is particularly valuable 
 with the children who are unsettled, who have not yet recovered from 
 the shock of leaving their own homes, nor settled into their foster homes. 
 An agent who can win the friendliness and trust of such a child can 
 help him tremendously to a sense of security and continuity. This 
 achievement is well worth a sacrifice of convenience and economy. At 
 the same time we must admit that in the past we have sometimes 
 found continuity of supervision diflSicult to maintain. For instance, 
 when a child is transferred from one locaUty to another perhaps hun- 
 dreds of miles away, the agent who has been looking after the child 
 cannot make the journey out of her district to see him. The time and 
 expense involved in covering a large area to visit perhaps only two or 
 
 ^ It is generally agreed that the older boys should be supervised by a man when- 
 ever possible. 
 
 [100] 
 
three children make the arrangement prohibitive. Moreover, the 
 fact that there is bound to be a change of visitors, through promotion 
 or transfer to other organizations, increases the impracticability of the 
 arrangement. Within practical limits, however, the system by which 
 one agent establishes and maintains friendly relations with her group 
 of children should be used to its utmost capacity. We should unques- 
 tionably make every legitimate sacrifice to achieve it. 
 
 There are two great barriers to the feehng of friendliness between 
 the child and the society. One is the resentment of most older chil- 
 dren at having been removed from their own parents. This resent- 
 ment is not mitigated by the child's realization that the breakup of 
 his home was inevitable. As has been said before, no child is removed 
 from his own home except as a last resort. To pass this barrier of 
 suspicion and resentment takes time and tact. The agent will have 
 to explain somewhat why the child could not remain in his own home 
 and will have to appeal to his desire to make good, urging him to 
 ^'try it for a while." She should never say too absolutely, **You can 
 never go back to your own home." The second barrier to friendliness 
 is the antagonism so often found in older children to the idea of being 
 under the authority of a "charitable society" — a natural antagonism. 
 Here again the agent's handling of the situation will determine often 
 the child's future attitude. 
 
 Scolding the child, even when the parents request it, is usually a 
 mistake. The agent should talk over the child's difficulties with him, 
 but should do it to find out why he is naughty and not merely to 
 blame him for being naughty. He should be encouraged to present 
 his side of the case, though this is usually difficult for him to do be- 
 cause he is too young to analyze it. But there are so many possible 
 reasons why a child with his background is naughty that one should 
 give him every incentive to talk if one is to understand his problems. 
 A frontal attack on his conduct — which he usually does not under- 
 stand himself — will only make him sullen and confused. Many con- 
 cessions in discipline may have to be made to build up in the child a 
 willingness to talk and a sense of confidence in the agent, but they 
 are well worth making. 
 
 [101] 
 
The visitoi' should avoid one pitfall when she is talking alone with 
 the children. That is to avoid saying things that can be repeated in a 
 garbled form later to the foster parents. Many misunderstandings 
 between family and society have been caused by the visitor's saying 
 to the child, "If you aren't happy here let us know and we will see 
 what we can do." The version which reaches the family is usually, 
 ''The lady said I was to write her and she'd come and take me away 
 if I didn't like it here," a version which naturally irritates them and 
 causes bad feeling. 
 
 Provision for Child's Future. — One aspect of the foster home sys- 
 tem which is receiving a good deal of attention now is the question of 
 what provision the foster parents are making for the child's future. 
 This means, of course, not only financial provision, but the means of 
 self-support. The work of supervision is left at loose ends if the child 
 is adopted legally or passes from the care of the society without 
 knowledge on the part of the society as to this provision. What the 
 child may expect from his parents is a question that should be dis- 
 cussed to some extent at the time that the child is legally adopted. 
 Many foster parents volunteer this information, and in general par- 
 ents are glad to talk over with the visitor their plans for the child's 
 future, whether it be what share he will have of their property or 
 what trade he will learn for self-support. The society will certainly 
 wish to round out its period of supervision by assuring itself that the 
 parents have thought this out and can be counted on to do the fair 
 and wise thing by the child. 
 
 The Adoption Visit. — The visit made when the family ask permis- 
 sion to adopt the child legally should be made with the utmost thor- 
 oughness. No agency will wish to relinquish its guardianship of the 
 child without having assured itself that adoption will safeguard the 
 child and insure him the best possible future. A year's trial is prob- 
 ably the minimmn time in which the agency can satisfy itself that the 
 child should stay permanently in his foster home. With numerous 
 homes it is wiser to wait an additional year or even several years. 
 There will always be a certain proportion of famihes who ought never 
 to be allowed to adopt their children. Such homes should probably 
 
 f 102 1 
 
not have been used in the first place, although the difficulty may have 
 arisen since, perhaps through financial reverses, perhaps through the 
 unpromising development of the child, which makes it essential that 
 the agency stand by to be of service, or through some unforeseen trou- 
 ble with the foster parents. It is just these doubtful families which 
 are most insistent on adoption, partly to get rid of supervision and 
 partly because they realize that their hold on the children may be 
 jeopardized by the refusal of adoption. 
 
 In making the adoption visit the agent will to some extent rein- 
 vestigate the home. At first sight this may seem superfluous, if the 
 agent has been observant and has visited the home often enough. But 
 on nearer view we see new factors, which differentiate the usual in- 
 vestigation from the adoption visit. Most significant is the fact that 
 with this visit, if adoption is approved, will terminate the agency's 
 care of the child. Are we sure that we have all the necessary guaran- 
 tees for the child's future? 
 
 N Changes in Household. — During the year or more which has elapsed 
 since the child was placed important changes may have taken place 
 in the household. The financial situation may have altered — ^in any 
 case, the added expense of the child's care must be considered; the 
 membership of the household may have changed, and there is the 
 essential question — ^how has the entrance of the child into the family 
 affected the household life? All these factors must be considered 
 from an angle different from that of the original investigation. 
 
 Facts Hke these can be ascertained to a large extent by the agent's 
 observation, but should be corroborated by references. The agent 
 should see one or two of the original references, preferably those who 
 have kept in closest touch with the family, and, if there is no objec- 
 tion on the score of secrecy, an independent reference occasionally. We 
 are no longer considering, when we make an adoption visit, a hypo- 
 thetical case — ^how will the placement of a child in this home work 
 out? — ^but an actual experience, to be reviewed without prejudice and 
 with all the facts in hand. The agent should ask herself ; "Will the 
 child be better off wholly in the care of his foster parents or will he 
 perhaps need also the help that the agency can give? Will he gain 
 
 [103] 
 
more by being accepted without question as the child of his foster 
 parents than he would gain from the assistance which the agency- 
 could give if it were still supervising him?^' Most workers would 
 probably agree that, granted a reasonably good and safe home, the 
 child would gain much more by being closely identified with his foster 
 parents. His place in the community is more clearly defined; if he is 
 old enough to reaUze his situation, he feels himself more seciu-e and 
 he is drawn more deeply into the current of neighborhood life. 
 
 Adoption of Children of Bad History. — This constitutes a problem 
 by itself. In many cases a special agreement has been signed by the 
 family, but often they may press the adoption in spite of that, possi- 
 bly because, after having the child for some time, the thought of giving 
 him up becomes a more formidable possibility than when they were 
 merely considering taking him; possibly because his development 
 seems to be so entirely normal that they are encouraged to feel that 
 there is less risk than they anticipated. It may seem wisest to permit 
 adoption if the family is thoroughly conversant with the facts of the 
 child's history and intelligent enough to be trusted to do the right 
 thing in case the child should, after all, develop abnormally. Very 
 often little is gained by holding out against a strong desire on the part 
 of the family; their friendliness and frankness may be jeopardized by 
 it. Often too the child himself begs to be adopted, realizing how it 
 will strengthen his position in the family which he has come to regard 
 as his own. In cases, however, where the family is ignorant and lack- 
 ing in resources to deal with possible difficulties, it will probably seem 
 dangerous for the agency to relinquish its supervision and its claim on 
 the child. 
 
 The agency may often feel it unwise to permit adoption of such 
 children until they are old enough to show definite normality or 
 abnormality. In such cases it may ask the family, when they first 
 take the child, to sign a special agreement stating that they agree to 
 postpone adoption until that time, and promising, in case the child 
 develops characteristics which make him dangerous to the community, 
 to return him to the care of the Association. If the family seem to 
 understand the situation and to be willing to deal frankly with the 
 
 [104] 
 
agency and still wish to take the child after they know all the facts, 
 it seems fair to let them do so. It often means giving the child his only 
 chance for normal family life outside the institution. Close super- 
 vision should, of course, be maintained in such cases. 
 
 Advisability of Adoption. — In general this agency considers adop- 
 tion advisable, provided, of course, that there has been plenty of time 
 for observation of the placement and that this observation has been 
 adequate. The suggestion of adoption is rarely made by the agency, 
 although it is discussed during the first investigation. That it often 
 matters intensely to the child is beyond a doubt, and this certainly 
 should have its effect on our decision. There are numerous cases of 
 children who have begged to be adopted, so that at last they might 
 feel secure. Its reassuring effect upon the child is one of the strongest 
 arguments in its favor. 
 
 Supervision Records 
 A Simple Supervision Case. 
 
 Placement. — September 20, '17. In the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry 
 
 Gould, Street, . Mr. and Mrs. Gould went to-day to the boarding 
 
 home of Mrs. Smith to see the baby. They were very much attracted to him, 
 and Mr. Gould telephoned to ask if permission would be given to ake the baby 
 to their home to-day. It was explained that we would prefer to have them wait 
 till the child was in better physical condition, but as they were very eager to take 
 the baby, fully understanding that he was not quite up to the mark physically, 
 it was agreed that they might take him. 
 
 Letter. — September 25, '17. Mr. Gould sends a report of his doctor's ex- 
 amination of the baby and says that they have every reason to believe that the 
 boy will progress rapidly with careful attention. 
 
 Letter. — October 22, '17. Letter from Mrs. Gould: 'Just a word letting you 
 know that my baby is getting along lovely. He is the grandest baby and we love 
 him very dearly. . . . He is certainly bringing lots of happiness into our 
 home. . . . My doctor says he is a perfect baby. ... I would love to 
 have the nurse see him now that went to see him the day before we took him." 
 
 Visit. — December 20, '17. The Gould s house is very pleasantly situated 
 and nicely furnished and flooded with sunshine. The baby has a room to him- 
 self which has every comfort, and he takes his nap on a large sun piazza. The 
 Goulds are nice-looking young people. They are both apparently in good health, and 
 are intelligent, pleasant, home-loving people. Mrs. Gould is a calm, even-tempered 
 woman, affectionate, and fond of children, and she and her husband seem very 
 congenial and to be getting a great deal of pleasure from the baby, whom they call 
 Edward. He is a rather pretty, fair-skinned child. He seems bright and has a 
 
 [105] 
 
good disposition. He was very daintily dressed and showed the best of care. 
 One would think he was the Goulds' own baby from the preparations that they 
 made for him and the gifts he received from relatives. He has a beautiful baby 
 basket, filled out with every conceivable thing, and a great many pretty hand- 
 made dresses. He has been under the care of Dr. King, the child specialist of 
 
 , whom agent knows. Mr. and Mrs. Gould are looking forward to adopting 
 
 the baby as soon as permission can be given. Agent talked with Dr. King, who 
 has had the care of the baby, and he says he thinks Edward is a fine bright child 
 and that the Goulds are just the right people to bring up a family of children. 
 
 Visit. — ^April 16, '18. Mrs. Gould and the baby were seen. Edward, as the 
 baby is called, is developing splendidly. He is up to the standard, according to 
 Dr. Holt. Mrs. Gould feels very much pleased, because he was such a tiny thin 
 baby when they took him. He has cut two teeth and is strong and active; is a 
 fine-looking child. Mrs. Gould has trained him very carefully and so he is not 
 much trouble. The baby is already beginning to talk. He says several words 
 which he seems to know the meaning of. 
 
 Note. — September 14, ' 18. Mr. Gould telephoned today to say that he and his 
 wife are very eager to adopt the baby legally. 
 
 Adoption Visit. — October 13, '18. By another agent. Agent was invited in 
 to sit in the nursery. It was furnished with a few wicker chairs, and many little 
 toys of the baby were on the floor. Mr. and Mrs. Jones, parents of Mrs. Crould, 
 were enjoying this spot with Mr. and Mrs. Gould and the baby. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Jones are healthy-looking, pleasant people, somewhat beyond middle age, with a 
 well-provided-for air. While magazines and papers were at hand, the baby was 
 really the center of attraction. As the baby played at Mrs. Gould's feet she 
 watched him and talked of him with an adoring look. Mr. Gould stood in the 
 doorway, his hands in his pockets and his eyes centered on the baby. He and 
 Mrs. Gould both took pride in teUing how the baby had improved. The baby is 
 well developed for his fifteen months. He was taking steps with balance and 
 assurance and was saying words. Mr. and Mrs. Gould are proud of the fact that 
 he says "Papa and Mamma" and can repeat other words when told to. Mrs. 
 Gould talked of his diet, and there is no question but that she has been successful 
 in feeding and training him, according to Dr. Holt. They are anxious to com- 
 plete the steps for legal adoption. Agent had a conversation alone with Mr. and 
 Mrs. Gould, asking a few more questions regarding finances, etc. Mr. Gould said 
 that financially he was much better fixed than when he had taken the child. His 
 salary has been increased practically $600 during the present year. His present 
 yearly salary is nearly $3000. He owns his house, valued at $7000. There is 
 a 50 per cent, mortgage on this, however, which he will no doubt be able to pay 
 off in a reasonable time. Mr. Gould feels that there is no question about his 
 being able to send the boy through school and college. He said, "We would not 
 give this youngster up for anything." Mrs. Gould said, " I always knew from the 
 first that I would never give him up and that it would make no difference whatever 
 he might develop later, that I would always love him. He might turn out a 
 cripple or possibly defective in some way, but I would love him just the same." 
 Agent sat with Mrs. Gould in the dining-room while she fed the baby. He ate 
 his food with reUsh, and as he sat there by Mrs. Gould there could be no question 
 that there was a perfect relationship of child and mother here. This child even 
 looks a good deal like Mrs. Gould, which pleases her. Mrs. Gould is a pretty, 
 
 [ 106 ] 
 
healthy-looking woman, with a genuine, direct way of meeting people, and im- 
 pressed agent as having a most genuine and motherly love for the baby. 
 
 Reference. — Mrs. Arthur Shendon, Street, . Mrs. Shendon is a 
 
 straightforward, sensible little woman. She began, "I wish all your children 
 could get as fine a home as Mr. and Mrs. Gould have given this baby." She smiled 
 when she described how crazy Mr. and Mrs. Gould were about him. She told 
 how Mrs. Gould hurried home before six in the afternoon because the baby must 
 have his supper and be put to bed by that hour. The Goulds could not possibly 
 love their own baby more than they do this child. They have gone to any expense 
 in caring for him. He was puny and Uttle when they first got him, but they had 
 him under a specialist's care, and have given him oil baths. Now he is a fine- 
 looking specimen. Mrs. Shendon said that she was very fond of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Gould; that they often came to supper in her house, sometimes twice a week. 
 She felt that she knew them well; in fact, she had always known Mr. Gould. 
 She considers them both fine, honest young people. Financially there is no ques- 
 tion but that they are well fixed. She said, " I don't suppose Mr. Gould ever owed 
 a penny in his life. " They are not rehgious fanatics, but they are good, straight- 
 forward people. Mrs. Shendon impressed agent as interested in the child first 
 and in seeing him get the right home. 
 
 Note. — October 29, '18. Adoption approved. Family notified. 
 
 Letter. — March 16, '19. Mr. Gould writes that the adoption was completed 
 December 19, 1918. The boy is doing finely and he and his wife are very much 
 pleased with him. 
 
 Second Case 
 
 PhiUp Tucker was four when he was placed with Mr. and Mrs. Albert Morgan 
 in a remote country home. He came of a notorious family, and was backward in 
 his speech, very babyish, and small for his -age. 
 
 Placement. — By M. M. — December 12, *16. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan met agent 
 at the train. Agent was well impressed by both of them. They had Httle to say 
 about Phihp, but agent thinks that they were disappointed in him. Mrs. Morgan 
 merely said he was small for his age, and that he looked deUcate. She has not 
 had very much experience with small children, but she does not feel at all helpless. 
 She was surprised when agent told her not to give Phihp pork. They seemed to 
 think that they would like to take a httle girl very soon if they get on all right with 
 Phihp. Mr. Morgan was disappointed because Phihp seemed ready to cry but 
 agent told him that Phihp was very tired and shy and that she would be surprised 
 if he did not cry. 
 
 Visit. — By M. M. — May 25, '17. This seems to be a satisfactory placement. 
 Agent got a favorable impression of the Morgans. They seem like genuine 
 people, quiet and refined. The house, though somewhat torn up on account of 
 house cleaning, showed many dainty touches. The Morgans soon became 
 attached to Phihp, and they say now that they do not beheve that any child 
 would be more satisfactory. They consider him bright and affectionate. Their 
 relatives have accepted Phihp as a member of the family, and are very fond of 
 him. Phihp has improved in appearance. He has good color, his eyes are bright, 
 and he is full of life and apparently happy. He was dressed in overalls and was 
 clean. Mrs. Morgan has made some pretty suits for him, but she says Mr. 
 
 [1071 
 
Morgan likes to see him in overalls. Philip remembered agent, and for a few 
 minutes he was very solemn and was evidently thinking of his former home. 
 Agent wondered whether he would want to return with her, but it apparently 
 never occurred to him. He seems to feel perfectly at home. He seems to take 
 an interest in the farm and wanted to take the agent out to see the young chickens. 
 Philip knows all his letters, which he has learned from his blocks, and did not make 
 a single mistake. He can count a httle and spell a few words. The Morgans 
 think that he has an unusually active mind. 
 
 Visit. — ^By M. B. — June 26, '18. Mrs. Morgan was apologetic over having agent 
 find her in her work clothes and Phihp in his Uttle soiled overalls. Agent did not 
 think she needed to apologize, for although she was in her work clothes she was 
 neat and clean, and so was the house. She left Phihp to entertain the visitor 
 while she went to change her dress. Agent found Phihp very entertaining, as he 
 can read practically all of his httle reading book, spells quite a number of words, 
 and talks and explains the working of his toy ship and other things in a remarkably 
 intelUgent way. He has not started to school yet, but has been taught carefully 
 by Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, who are proud of his attainments and consider him very 
 bright. He was friendly with visitor, and brought out his reading book and toys 
 without any urging. He is an attractive httle fellow, with dark hair and tanned 
 skin and bright brown eyes. Mr. Morgan came in from his field work while 
 agent was there, and impressed agent as an unusually intelhgent and thoughtful 
 man. He is rather good looking, with more the appearance and manners of a 
 college man than an ordinary farmer. He seemed more at ease with visitor than 
 Mrs. Morgan, although both were cordial. They both are fond of Philip, and 
 wish to adopt him. Agent received a most favorable impression of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Morgan, their home, and their treatment of Philip. He is undoubtedly happy 
 with them, and has become a large part of their hfe. 
 
 (Shortly after this visit Philip's sister, Helen, was placed in this home. Helen 
 was seven at the time.) 
 
 Visit. — By M. B. — November 27, '18. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan is an 
 excellent farm home, where both Phihp and Helen are receiving great kindness and 
 the best of attention. They are treated as own children by Mr. and Mrs. Morgan. 
 Phihp is a bright-faced httle youngster, with bright brown eyes, pink cheeks, good 
 teeth, and a pleasant, friendly manner. He is healthy looking. He talked 
 freely with the agent, and expressed himself well. He is in the first grade in 
 school, and will perhaps go into the second soon. He moves along rapidly at 
 school, no doubt because of the close supervision given his work at home. Mrs. 
 Morgan attributes the habits and disposition of the two children to a large extent 
 to circumstances, and not to native endowment. She thinks that she has ehmi- 
 nated some of the traits in Phihp which now appear in Helen. She hopes to correct 
 these in Helen, but, of course, will find it harder, as she is taking hold much later. 
 These two children seem to be perfectly at home together, and will no doubt be a 
 good influence on each other. Phihp shows, both in his disposition and habits 
 and mental level, careful training and a good home. 
 
 Visit. — By A. C. H. — ^January 23, '19. Mrs. Morgan was in the kitchen baking, 
 and although she was surprised to see agent, she was natiu-al and not at all ill at 
 ease. Mr. Morgan went to the school and brought the children up in the car, 
 telling them that their mother had a guest for dinner. It is their usual custom to 
 have their lunch at school. The house was in good order. The kitchen was spick 
 
 [108 1 
 
and span, although Mrs. Morgan was working there. The American Magazine 
 was lying on the table in the Hving-room, and although it is a plain home, with 
 very simple furnishings, it had an exceedingly home-like appearance. The chil- 
 dren dashed in from school, full of hfe, and looking rosy and healthy. Helen 
 hasn't, however, nearly the color that PhiUp has, although she looks much better 
 than when she came. The children went straight to their rooms, hanging up 
 their coats and hats after they had been introduced to the agent, and then sat 
 down in little rocking-chairs Uke grown-ups with their company manners on. 
 Mrs. Morgan suggested that they show the agent the things they had for Christ- 
 mas, and they were full of enthusiasm. They had no end of little trinkets from 
 various relatives. Even aunts of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan in Georgia had sent the 
 children things, one sending two dollars to each. Helen said Santa Claus had 
 never been so good to her before. Helen wore a light blue wash dress, which was 
 very becoming. Mrs. Morgan says she is a dirty little child with her clothes, 
 and should have a clean frock every day, but it makes so much laundry that she 
 has a clean one only every other day. The little boy is attractive looking, seems 
 unusually observing, and possibly brighter than Helen. He had always remem- 
 bered his little sister and often spoke of her. They soon became fast friends, 
 and now they are inseparable. The Httle room oflF the living room is used as a 
 play room. There is an old couch in it, and all the children's toys. They have to 
 keep the room in order. Every night before they go to bed either Mr. or Mrs. 
 Morgan reads to the children. Usually Mr. Morgan does the reading while 
 Mrs. Morgan sews. Philip has a protective manner toward his sister and always 
 defends her. He will never tell on her, but she is not the same with him. She is 
 not as selfish as when she first came. She demanded waiting on entirely. She 
 would not even get a drink of water for herself and made a httle slave of Philip. 
 Mrs. Morgan thought that it was bad for Helen and stopped it. They play so 
 much on their way back and forth from school that occasionally they are late. 
 They seem very congenial, and while they fight Hke brothers and sisters, they soon 
 make it up. The children played about the room naturally and then we all had 
 dinner together. They have nice table manners, and Mrs. Morgan seems to train 
 them as easily as if she had always had them. 
 
 In speaking of the adoption, agent asked Mrs. Morgan if she really was as 
 fond of Helen as she was of PhiUp, and she thought a minute and said, "Why, 
 yes; Helen is more affectionate than Philip, but somehow we don't think of them 
 separately, and I don't believe we are fonder of one than of the other now." 
 They would like to adopt them both as soon as possible. Mr. Morgan sat by the 
 fire and watched the children as they played about and made occasional interested 
 suggestions. He is a very wholesome, straightforward young man, and will give 
 the children every advantage within his means. He says he did not have a college 
 education, but he will give the children as much education as they can take. 
 They have a number of friends and relatives in the vicinity, as the.v have always 
 lived here. They go about a good deal, as thej'^ have their own car, often going to 
 the movies. While they are thrifty, they are by no means so hardworking that 
 they do not enjoy a good time. Mrs. Morgan impressed agent as an exceptionally 
 fine woman, refined in her appearance, and the type of woman who would be a 
 splendid mother. She is not excitable nor easily disturbed. She has studied the 
 children, and realizes that she must keep on studying them in order to discipline 
 them properly. She never nags nor scolds them, but seems to have perfect disci- 
 
 [109] 
 
pline over them; so does Mr. Morgan. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan seem to be un- 
 usually congenial. They like the .same sort of things, and each defers to the 
 other's judgment in an exceedingly courteous and thoughtful way. Mrs. Morgan 
 is very well and strong, and does her housework easily, helps outside with the 
 milk, and does her own sewing and that of the children. She says two children 
 are not much more trouble than one, because they are such company for each 
 other. She does not know how PhiUp would ever get on without Helen. He 
 tags her around in the most adoring fashion. Twice while the family were sitting 
 there Helen went up to her mother and laid her head on her shoulder in a very 
 sweet and affectionate way. She certainly is as happy and contented in her 
 manner as any child could be. 
 
 Everything about the whole situation seemed absolutely natural. It was hard 
 to reahze that the children had not been there always. There is something about 
 the atmosphere of the home that is difl&cult to describe. One is impressed with 
 the substantial quaUties, the genuineness, the wholesomeness. It is not a home 
 one would ever associate with wrangUng or pettiness. Agent referred to the 
 satisfaction of seeing the children playing there together, and Mr. Morgan said, 
 "Yes, but that doesn't mean anything to them now such as it will in fifteen years 
 from now, when they reahze that they really are own brother and sister." They 
 look forward to the future of the children in a very intelUgent way, and agent 
 feels that in this home the children will have a very good start in life. 
 
 Note. — June 19, '19. Good school report. 
 
 Visit. — ^June 29, '19. Satisfactory visit by another agent. 
 
 Adoption Visit.— By M. E. B., March 30, '20. The family were all at home 
 and cordial in their greeting. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan had just come in from milk- 
 ing. Mrs. Morgan's hair was down in a braid; she was neatly dressed in a wash 
 dress. The children appeared very well. PhiUp, however, did look queer, as 
 his head was practically shaved three- fourths of the way to the top, and there was 
 a good crop of hair on top. He was much interested in showing agent a toy 
 tractor. His father said he was greatly interested in mechanical things. He is 
 in the second grade of the local school. It is over a mile away. In the worst 
 weather Mr. Morgan takes the children, and in winter they coast and pull each 
 other up hill. Both of these children seem to love the out-of-doors and the animals 
 on the farm and are wholesome, happy children. Phihp was neatly dressed, but 
 his shoes were in bad condition. However, agent imagines that he has better 
 ones and is hard on his every-day ones. When the agent left, the children with 
 their dinner pails were starting to school. Miss Wood, the teacher, said that the 
 children were bright and happy. The school closes April 1 and both wUl be pro- 
 moted. Although this was just a tiny district school, the work exhibited on the 
 wall showed that the teacher was well trained. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are whole- 
 some, progressive people. They are comfortably situated, and are gradually 
 making improvements on the farm. They have a furnace, and hope to have a 
 bath-room soon. Mr. Morgan's father helps him in the summer, and he has a 
 great deal of machinery, so he is able to get on without hired help. Both Mr. and 
 Mrs. Morgan spoke of wishing to adopt the children as soon as possible. The 
 children play nicely together, occasionally have httle quarrels, but soon get over 
 them. Agent could see no reason why this adoption should not go through as 
 this is above the average farm home. Agent saw George Henry, a feed man in 
 . He said Mr. Morgan was one of the best farmers they had in the country 
 
 1110] 
 
excellent pay, and industrious. He keeps a car and has a good time in it. Both 
 Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are from good famiUes, and he said he could recommend 
 the home for as many children as they would take. Agent also called to see Mr. 
 WiUiam Perry, an original reference, but he was out of town. 
 Note. — April 6, '20. Adoption approved; family notified. 
 
 Third Case 
 
 The case of Martha Dean illustrates the help given to an older girl through 
 her school days, and the type of supervision necessary. 
 
 Martha was fourteen when she was placed with a widow, Mrs. Wilton. Her 
 mother was incurably insane, and her father, an irresponsible, worthless man, 
 had served a number of terms in jaU. He had never supported his family ade- 
 quately, and his wife's insanity was due in part to his abuse. Martha had been 
 two years in an institution, and little was known of her personality before she was 
 placed. Mrs. Wilton kept a few lodgers, all women, and Martha was to help 
 somewhat with the housework. Mrs. Wilton's income was derived partly from 
 the lodgers and partly from securities. It was not large, but at that time, in 1910, 
 was considered adequate for two people. 
 
 The first visits showed a satisfactory situation. There was a good under- 
 standing and considerable affection between Martha and Mrs. Wilton. Martha 
 was doing good school work, and was given plenty of time at home for her study- 
 ing. She was a good deal of help to Mrs. Wilton when the latter was ill. 
 Both Martha and Mrs. Wilton seemed satisfied with the arrangement. In 
 January, 1913, Mrs. Wilton became seriously crippled with rheumatism and had 
 to have a woman come in every day to do the work, as Martha's school work 
 took most of her time and strength. . . . Mrs. Wilton hopes that it will be 
 possible to have Martha go to High School, as she is doing so well in her work, but 
 she is short of ready money at present. Mrs. Wilton evidently tries to have 
 Martha have nice clothes, and is really anxious to do everything she can for the 
 girl. Visitor thinks Martha is fortunate to be so near a good school, and she does 
 not seem to lack for anything. Mrs. Wilton still feels, however, that she will have 
 to have a little help if she is to send Martha to High School, as she has to pay a 
 woman to come in every day and do the work that Martha could easily help in 
 doing if she did not have to spend so much time on her lessons. If this help 
 could be given, visitor thinks it would be a good idea, as there is no doubt that 
 Mrs. Wilton does everything she can for Martha. The schools are excellent and 
 have good standing, and if Martha could stay where she is and attend High 
 School, it would be very satisfactory, as Martha is company for Mrs. Wilton and 
 seems much attached to her. 
 
 Visit.— By L. M. G.— Oct. 14, '13. Visitor found Mrs. Wilton much better 
 than she has been for some time. She had had a hired girl up to the previous 
 week, but was trying now to get along without one. Martha is so capable and 
 anxious to do everything she can that Mrs. Wilton thinks that they are going to 
 manage nicely. Martha is much more considerate and thoughtful than she used 
 to be, and seems to appreciate everything that Mrs. Wilton tries to do for her. 
 Martha is in the eighth grade now, and will finish her grade work in January, 
 but it will not be possible to send her to High School unless she receives some help 
 — about three dollars a week — as her expenses will be greater than they are at 
 
 [111] 
 
the present time. Visitor saw Martha at school. She was nicely dressed and is 
 an unusually nice-looking girl, capable and self-reliant. Martha looks happy, 
 and visitor thinks it would be a splendid thing if an effort were made to raise the 
 money so that she could go to High School. 
 
 Note. — ^Jan. 28, '14. The Association succeeded in raising money to pay Mrs. 
 Wilton an allowance for Martha; three dollars a week for over three years and 
 five dollars a week for nearly one year. 
 
 Visit.— By L. M. G.— Feb. 5, '15. Mrs. Wilton reported that Martha had 
 been suffering from severe headaches. 
 
 Arrangements were made for an examination by an oculist, which was followed 
 by a second examination a week or two later. As Mrs. Wilton was unable to pay 
 the fee and carfare, the Association paid the bill. Martha was suppHed with 
 
 Visit. — By L. M. G. — Apr. 4, '16. Martha is feeling much better. There is a 
 girl boarding with them who is in the first year High School. Her name is Ger- 
 trude, and she is a daughter of a friend of Mrs. Wilton's and a shy, sweet-appearing 
 girl. Mrs. Wilton feels that she is a splendid influence for Martha. The girls 
 seem to enjoy each other's company, and Mrs. Wilton said that all they had to 
 do was to help with the dishes in the evening. The girls enjoy seeing how quickly 
 they can get the work finished up so as to have the evening free. Mrs. Wilton 
 and Martha seem to understand each other perfectly, and Martha appears happy. 
 Visitor thinks that conditions have much improved with a young girl in the house. 
 Martha is not so lonely and Mrs. Wilton seems to enjoy having the two girls there. 
 
 During the following summer Martha earned a small amount of money by 
 berry picking and was able to buy or make many of her clothes for the following 
 winter. In the following autumn Martha entered the teacher's training class at 
 Shefl&eld, to continue her studies and to practice teaching. She made the plans 
 and arrangements herself. Martha wrote often to the Association, to acknowl- 
 edge her allowance and to report on her school progress. 
 
 Visit. — By C. E. — Oct. 30, '17. Visitor had a visit of an hour and a half with 
 Martha, which was very satisfactory. Martha is in a good boarding house with a 
 comfortable room, electric Ught, etc., and the people who keep it are pleasant, 
 old-fashioned people. Martha's room is quite large, has two windows and a com- 
 fortable-looking double bed, pretty wall paper, and two or three chairs and a 
 table besides her bureau. Martha takes care of the room and frequently asks to 
 be allowed to help with the dishes, as she misses the housework she did at home. 
 She reads and crochets. She has just decided to give up candy for a time and to 
 take a definite amount of exercise every day. She also sleeps with one window 
 wide open. She has more color than when agent saw her before, and seems 
 broader in the chest and shoulders. She thoroughly enjoys her school work. 
 There are nine girls in the training class with one teacher, who Martha thinks is 
 well equipped and thorough. The teacher told Martha not to worry over her 
 work, so Martha concluded that it must be satisfactory. The studies include 
 pedagogy, psychology, history, EngUsh, speUing, arithmetic, and writing. Martha 
 attends the Methodist Church and sometimes the church socials. She is most 
 anxious that Mrs. Wilton be paid what she advanced her last summer, as she is a 
 little short at the present time. Martha needs a dollar a week for incidentals. 
 She says that her headaches have practically stopped. She misses Mrs. Wilton 
 very much. Visitor discovered that Martha is interested in Mrs. Wilton's 
 
 fll2 1 
 
nephew, a young man who works in a factory in . She says she does not want 
 
 to think of getting married until she has taught three or four years. She says 
 Mrs. Wilton does not discuss the matter, as she does not want to encourage either 
 of the young people. Martha is a sensible, earnest, worth-while girl, deeply 
 appreciative of all that the S. C. A. A. has done for her, but with quite a bit of 
 pride, and she is very anxious to be self-supporting. The following is a Hst of the 
 
 clothes needed by Martha. Martha did not take it for granted that she would 
 
 get any of these things, and visitor had to drag each item out of her. Visitor 
 feels that she is so worth-while that it is certainly worth an effort to get as many of 
 these things as possible for her in order that she may continue her work without 
 being imder the strain of being insufficiently equipped. 
 
 Note. — Mar. 28, '18. Materials sent to Martha for her commencement dress. 
 
 Letter. — ^June 13, '18. Letter from Martha acknowledging the money sent 
 her. She has a school near Sheffield for the fall. She will have about twelve 
 pupils, and every one says it is a desirable school. She will receive $13.50 a week, 
 and will pay $4.00 for board. Again she expresses appreciation for all the kind- 
 ness shown her. Martha says she will remember us all as a bright spot in her life 
 and will be glad to see any of us at any time. 
 
 Letter. — April 1, '19. Letter from Martha in which she incloses an invitation 
 to her wedding April 16th to John Hamilton. Martha says she is getting a very 
 good man. He is a good member of the Baptist Church, and a foreman in the 
 Daly Furniture Company. He has the house where they are to Uve partly fur- 
 nished, and the rest they will furnish as they can. He is making everything easy 
 for her, and she expects to be very happy. She hopes to remain friends with the 
 S. C. A. A. and appreciates all that they have done for her. 
 
 This case illustrates several features of the supervision of older 
 girls which are worth pointing out. For one thing it shows the value 
 of continued supervision, even in a home where, for the first few years, 
 it may seem unnecessary. Here the Association did Uttle more than 
 observe this placement for three or four years. At the end of that 
 time and from then on substantial assistance was needed to keep 
 Martha in school. In some homes it is not possible to make such an 
 arrangement, even by subsidies, because the girl's help is needed at 
 home. In such situations the agency must sometimes choose between 
 depriving a promising child of further education or practically break- 
 ing up the household. The choice will usually be keeping the girl at 
 home, where affection for her family and a sense of her share in the 
 family burdens would naturally keep her if she were the family's own 
 child. The question to ask oneself in making such a decision is, what 
 will be more important to this girl ten years from now, further educa- 
 tion or a close family tie? The answer naturally differs with the dif- 
 8 [ 113 ] 
 
ferent situations and the temperaments involved. Needless to say, 
 the agency will do everything possible to avert a situation in which 
 such a choice is necessary. 
 
 Value of Prolonged Supervision. — ^Unforeseen misfortunes happen 
 in foster families, as in all families, and it is just at these crises that 
 the agency can be of help, and it is because of this possible need that 
 it should keep closely in touch, even with the best of foster homes. The 
 agency may find that it has to provide money to keep a child in school, 
 or for medical care of the child. If the home has proved a good home 
 for the child in question, has met his needs and made him happy, un- 
 doubtedly the agency will wish to help to keep the two together. If, 
 however, the home has been unsatisfactory, it is certainly not worth 
 while to put money into subsidizing it. 
 
 Termination of Supervision. — A word should be said about the 
 termination of the agency's care of the children. The agency's author- 
 ity ceases when the child is legally adopted, when he has grown to 
 the age of self-support and is capable of looking out for himself, when 
 he is married, or when he is transferred to an institution for a special 
 sort of care. It should be made clear, however, that this cessation of 
 supervision does not necessarily mean a break in the friendly relations 
 between the child and the agency; many of the adopted children con- 
 tinue in touch with the organization. Occasionally, in giving its con- 
 sent for adoption, this agency stipulates that the family report on the 
 child's development once or twice a year. In general, however, it 
 must be left to the foster family to take the initiative in maintaining 
 its connection with the agency after the child is adopted. The agency 
 does not visit the adopted children, unless in exceptional cases; for 
 instance, if the foster family has invited the agent to drop in occa- 
 sionally, or if there has been some special cause for concern about the 
 child and the agent wishes to keep informed about it in a friendly way. 
 The agency writes occasionally to the foster families, perhaps five 
 or six years after adoption, to find put what has happened and how the 
 child has developed. Now and again the foster family will come back 
 to the office for advice if they are in difficulties. Usually their problem 
 is the child's behavior and they can often be substantially helped to a 
 
 [114] 
 
solution by the agency. For instance, a most inteUigent foster mother 
 recently called to ask the agency's advice about sending to a boarding 
 school her adopted son of ten, who was getting rather beyond control 
 at home. This agency has, however, no system either of visiting or 
 of communicating with its adopted children. Nor is the break with 
 the organization automatically made when the child reaches the age 
 of eighteen or twenty-one, for many boys and girls of eighteen need 
 supervision as much as the children under ten. The time at which ac- 
 tive supervision ends is determined not by the age of the child, but by 
 the circumstances. A girl is not left to drift from job to job, even if 
 she is twenty-three or twenty-four. When the agency has assured 
 itself that she can take care of herself without help, supervision is 
 withdrawn. Perhaps we should add that supervision of these older 
 boys and girls is as unobtrusive as possible, and that every effort is 
 made to prevent their being known as wards of "a charity." 
 
 115 
 
CHAPTER V 
 REPLACEMENTS 
 
 In discussing this question it was decided to omit the replacement of 
 children under five, so seldom has this been necessary in the experience 
 of this Association. 
 
 Child's Feeling About Replacements. — The agency has one advan- 
 tage in replacing children which it cannot have in the first placement, 
 and that is a knowledge of how the child will behave in a certain en- 
 vironment. Replacements are usually made with much more knowl- 
 edge of the child's capacities and characteristics than is possible in the 
 first placement, and that fact often makes replacements more suc- 
 cessful. When the agency has had a chance to observe the child in one 
 home it can judge better how he will behave in another type of home — 
 whether he will adapt himself to family life and what sort of fos- 
 ter mother and father he most needs. Offsetting this advantage is, 
 however, an important disadvantage. This is the child's own attitude, 
 which is not likely to be propitious. A child who has had to leave his 
 first foster home through some fault of his own is Hkely to be either 
 self-distrustful because of his failure, or defiant and careless of the 
 effect he makes. Neither of these moods promises well for his behavior 
 in the next adjustment which he will have to make. A child who has 
 had an unhappy experience in one home dreads going to another. A 
 child who has proved too much for his first foster parents is likely to 
 go to a second home with a determination to get the better of a second 
 set. 
 
 One way of dealing with these attitudes is to consult as far as is 
 practicable the child's own feelings and preferences. This is one of the 
 best ways to secure the child's good will, and it is particularly helpful 
 in this situation. Another and, of course, an obvious way is to pick 
 
 [ 116 1 
 
out the second home with all possible care, keeping in mind the traits 
 which the child has shown in his first home and what his foster parents 
 have said about him. 
 
 Continuity of School Work. — In the replacement of children fairly 
 advanced in school an effort should always be made to avoid inter- 
 rupting the school year or half year. Many children can be kept in 
 the home from which they are to be removed until they have got their 
 promotion. The causes for removal are often chronic rather than 
 acute, and it is possible to postpone the removal for a month or more. 
 The children themselves often feel strongly on the subject of losing 
 their promotion, and will be antagonized by having their work inter- 
 rupted. Occasionally it is possible to find a second home in the same 
 school district, and it can sometimes be arranged to board the child 
 temporarily in that district until the school term is over. 
 
 As the children's worker grows in experience, she learns not to take 
 foster parents too Hterally nor to act too promptly when they despair- 
 ingly announce, *' You must take Billy away to-day — I can't stand it 
 another minute." Slowness in getting into action on the part of the 
 visitor will give the foster family time to settle down. Billy, who has 
 been brought up standing by the realization that he is to be "sent 
 back to the office," may be a model child for the next week, and the 
 tempest blows over, and may be over for good. One such distracted 
 foster mother — one of the most intelligent — telephoned the office in the 
 afternoon that they must send Bobby back; he had turned their 
 household topsy-turvy, offended the cook, and caused such a rumpus 
 in the apartment that their landlord had given them notice. The next 
 morning she telephoned again. She and her husband had been talking 
 things over; Bobby was, of course, a young savage, but it wasn't his 
 fault, and he had plenty of intelligence to be worked upon. In short, 
 they couldn't bear to send him back. That was two years ago, and 
 Bobby is now firmly rooted in their family. Far from being daunted 
 by their trials with him, they have since adopted a second child. 
 Another foster mother decided that she couldn't keep her five-year-old 
 foster son; he was temperamentally unsuited, he showed no signs of 
 "fitting in" to her household, he wasn't "the kind of child" she 
 
 [117] 
 
wanted to adopt. As she still was sure after a month or more that she 
 didn't want to keep him, plans were made for placing him elsewhere. 
 At the eleventh hour his foster mother, confronted by the separation, 
 realized that she could not possibly give him up. That was two years 
 ago, and he is now legally adopted. 
 
 Replacements involve among other problems this one in especial; 
 if a child is a failure in one foster home after another should we con- 
 tinue to try to settle him in a family, or should we decide that he is the 
 kind of child for whom that particular plan will never work? Should 
 we go on indefinitely trying to find the right home for him? 
 
 The reasons why the placement has failed should guide us in this 
 decision. If the foster family have been at fault — ^if, for instance, 
 household changes, the death of a foster parent, or an unsympathetic 
 attitude on the part of the foster parents are to blame — ^unquestion- 
 ably we must try again. If however, the child himself has stubbornly 
 resisted the efforts of his foster parents to absorb him into their family 
 life, or shows a continuity of naughtiness which drives one family after 
 another to return him to the agency, it is time to ask ourselves, is this 
 child ever going to fit into a household? 
 
 Children Unsuited to Foster Homes. — It is unquestionable that 
 there are a few children whose temperaments or experience have made 
 them permanently resistant to family life. Such a child, for instance, 
 was a twelve-year-old girl in the care of this agency. She was twelve 
 when her family was broken up by the desertion of her father and the 
 elopement of her mother with another man. She told her first foster 
 mother, "Nobody need think they could ever adopt me." Her de- 
 liberate plan was to maintain an attitude of defiance, and to resist 
 affection and absorption into the household life. "IVe got a father 
 and brothers and when I get big enough to earn money I'm going back 
 to them." Being a child of unusual persistence and determination, 
 she was not adopted. For three years she has been in a boarding 
 school, where she has maintained the same aloof attitude. This diffi- 
 culty is not to be solved by a foster home placement. Such children 
 need something different from family life, which to them would mean 
 the substitution of foster parents for their own, of an alien household 
 
 [118] 
 
for their own — a substitution which runs counter to their strongest 
 instincts. 
 
 Alternatives to Foster Home Care. — If, after continued placements, 
 made with the best resources of the agency, the child still fails to 
 settle down anywhere, it is probably wisest to give up that method of 
 solving his difficulties and to look for another. This is often found in 
 placing the child in a more impersonal environment, where there will 
 be less need for an adaptation to other personalities and their demands. 
 For instance, many older girls who fail in one family after another will 
 be successful Uving in a working-girls' boarding house and going out 
 to work. A similar arrangement will often work with older boys who 
 get into one scrape after another on a farm. Some of the children still 
 in school may need the training and the routine life, different from that 
 of a family, of some special school or institution. One plan which the 
 Association has found successful with difficult older girls is to have 
 them board in one of the regular boarding homes where they will have 
 a certain amount of supervision, and go out to work. This applies 
 especially, of course, to girls who dislike housework. These girls pay 
 their own board direct to the boarding mother, who helps them buy 
 their clothes and keep them in order and in general keeps an eye on 
 the girls. The girls often feel much more at home in this type of home 
 than in the so-called working home, which may be too much above 
 them socially and intellectually. 
 
 Effect on Child of Replacements. — That continued replacement 
 does have an injurious effect on the child is indisputable. He loses 
 all sense of stability, and with it the feeling that he is up against a 
 situation in \^ch he is bound to make good. He develops a sense of 
 evasion; if he can't get on in this home, the society will put him in 
 another, and so on into an indefinite future of dodging clear duties 
 and demands. He becomes hardened against training and persuasion. 
 He loses that sense of responsibility which is at the basis of character 
 formation. He develops a taste for the excitement of changing from 
 one home to another; this is one of the most disastrous and most 
 conmion effects of many replacements, and is frequent even with the 
 younger children. 
 
 [119] 
 
With a sensitive type of child the effects are different but equally 
 harmful. He loses his self-confidence and his trust in other people, and 
 becomes hopelessly confused in his ideas of conduct. Often such a 
 child is quite ignorant of why he is naughty, and feels that it is some- 
 thing beyond his control. For such a child to be constantly punished 
 by removal from one foster home to another is obviously dangerous. 
 It teaches him little, frightens him, and makes him distrustful. 
 
 The break in the continuity of their Uves due to replacements has 
 another harmful effect on the children — ^it effectually dispels any de- 
 pendence that they might have had on the protection and affection of 
 a new father and mother after their own have failed them. The suffer- 
 ing that this entails is sure to be deeply injurious. For one thing, it 
 makes nearly impossible a normal attitude toward society and causes 
 the child to feel himself an outcast. It leaves him at loose ends so far 
 as a sense of belonging to any one person or any one place is con- 
 cerned — and there are few people with the strength to stand so much 
 alone. 
 
 In general one may say that replacements should be avoided as far 
 as possible, and that when they must be made, it should be with aU 
 possible care. If replacement after replacement is necessary, the 
 agency should stop to consider whether there is something the matter 
 with the child which can be cured, or to discuss other ways than re- 
 placement of dealing with the trouble. 
 
 Replacement Records 
 First Case. 
 
 Anna Nicholas was of Austrian parentage, but American birth, and was com- 
 mitted to a children's home when she was six years old. She was the child of an 
 abusive and worthless and drunken father and an ignorant mother. Anna 
 stayed in the institution until she was nearly eleven. There they reported her as 
 "rather above the average mentally — has never given any trouble. She is truth- 
 ful, honest, and is a good-natured, affectionate Uttle girl." 
 
 First Placement. — The home of an elderly widow living alone and anxious for 
 companionship. There Anna stayed from the time that she was eleven until she 
 was fourteen. For the first year her foster mother found her entirely honest, and 
 spoke of the fact that she never rummaged through the drawers or cupboards. 
 The two were very companionable, and Anna seemed contented to be alone a good 
 deal with Mrs. Clark. She did excellent work in school. The teacher thought 
 her unusually bright and very spirited. When Anna had been there nearly two 
 
 ri2oi 
 
years Mrs. Clark's health failed seriously, and she found it hard to keep track of 
 what Anna was doing. Her eyesight grew steadily dimmer. Anna was left to 
 her own resources. She developed the habit of stealing small sums from Mrs. 
 Clark's purse, and became so much of a tomboy that she spent most of her time 
 on the street playing with the boys. She was very untidy, and shirked all possible 
 housework. Through the five or six months that followed the situation became 
 worse; it was harder for Mrs. Clark to look after the house and Anna, she became 
 querulous and complaining and out of sympathy with the child, and Anna grew 
 harder to control. She continued to take small amounts of money and to lie 
 about it. She was heedless and irresponsible, showing Uttle consideration for her 
 foster mother. The various references consulted, who were in close touch with the 
 situation, felt, however, that Anna was on the whole happy there, and that there 
 was no risk in the small amount of supervision which she got. She was always in 
 early in the evening, and there seemed no question of anything but tomboyishness 
 in her playing with boys. The visitors felt that as Mrs. Clark grew feebler and 
 less able to deal with Anna she became nagging, and that it was only a matter of a 
 few months before Arma should leave, for Mrs. Clark's sake and her own. Finally, 
 in August, 1918, Anna was removed from Mrs. Clark's home. 
 
 At the office she was given a medical examination, which showed a normal 
 condition of health, and a mental examination. The psychologist said of her: 
 InteUigence a little above the average . . . common sense higher than 
 average. Girl learns quickly and has in general an alert and retentive mind, 
 capable of much further development. 
 
 Second Placement. — The following day Anna was taken by the visitor who had 
 been supervising her to a home in the northern part of the State. The family 
 consisted of a couple of about thirty-five, and one Uttle girl of three. Mr. Staple- 
 ton was a business man and a college man; Mrs. Stapleton had been a stenog- 
 rapher before her marriage. Their house was comfortable and modern and in a 
 good part of town. They owned a car. It was their intention to make Anna feel 
 herself a member of the family. She was to take her breakfast and luncheon with 
 them, but her dinner in the kitchen with the httle girl. Her work was to be the 
 usual helping with the dishes and the housework. Mrs. Stapleton seemed 
 genuinely interested in making the girl contented and at home and thoroughly 
 capable of training her. 
 
 At the first visit, made not quite two months later, Mrs. Stapleton was full of 
 complaints. Anna had no sense of responsibiUty, she forgot to lock doors and 
 rinse dish towels, she left the windows and the dishes dirty, and she dropped the 
 baby overboard when the family were on a fishing trip. She would never change 
 her clothes nor mend them nor take a bath unless Mrs. Stapleton drove her to it. 
 The only good thing that they had to say of her was that her school work was 
 excellent. The Stapletons told the visitor that they felt sympathetic with Anna, 
 and that they had been very patient with her. However, they admitted to the 
 visitor that she was "as hard to understand as a German," and that they had 
 given her no spending money in the two months because "she had not deserved 
 it." Mrs. Stapleton said that Anna had no sense of gratitude, and Mr. Stapleton 
 said that she was "the queerest child" that he had ever known and that there was 
 no getting at her at all. The visitor could get very little from Anna herself except 
 that she hated mending. She listened with a "queer, half-defiant smile." She 
 admitted that it was wrong to lie, but could not t«ll why she did it. 
 
 [ 121 1 
 
Two months later the same visitor called again. Mrs. Stapleton had been ill 
 with influenza and Anna had done very well, washing the dishes and taking care 
 of the baby. Her general work, however, was as slipshod as ever. She had taken 
 some money too, her first slip since she had come. She ate things from the pantry 
 on the sly. One of the neighbors told Mrs. Stapleton that it "would be better 
 if she shipped Anna instead of being so good to her." Mrs. Stapleton herself 
 feels that it would be more efficacious a remedy, but she feels sorry for Anna be- 
 cause she has no mother. Mr. Stapleton has talked to Anna and told her he is 
 under no obhgation to keep her if she does not behave, but that he will keep her 
 if she only becomes more dependable. He feels now he will not want her on his 
 hands when she is two or three years older, because he does not know what she 
 will do. Anna has written her former foster mother saying that she is unhappy 
 with the Stapletons and that she does not get enough to eat. Anna has told Mrs. 
 Stapleton that when she was with Mrs. Clark she knew several girls who thought 
 nothing of taking money to go to picture shows and, of course, they had to invent 
 stories to explain the disappearance of the money. . . . "Anna is the sort of 
 girl whom it is almost impossible to reach." 
 
 Along with these bad reports from the family came excellent reports from the 
 school. Her teacher wrote that "Anna is doing very satisfactory work in her 
 grade and has adjusted herself unusually well in her new school. We are glad to 
 have her in our school." 
 
 Removal. — Finally, in February, 1919, the Stapletons insisted that Anna be 
 removed at once. The last straw had been her leaving the little girl alone in the 
 house one evening. She had taken more money. . . . She told the girls at 
 school that Mrs. Stapleton was her mother, and that Virginia was her half-sister, 
 thus explaining the difference in names. She has told others that she is Mrs. 
 Stapleton's niece and is boarding there. She seems ashamed of having to work, 
 and Mrs. Stapleton feels that the difference between their home and that of Mrs. 
 Clark was not explained to her. She thinks that Anna expected to be in the same 
 position with them as in the former home. 
 
 Boarding Care. — On her return to the office Anna was again examined. The 
 doctor found her heart slow and recommended light work and little exercise. 
 She was placed in a temporary boarding home. The family took a great Uking 
 to her and she to them. They found her very nice with the younger children, 
 reliable about money, and fairly neat about her person. The boarding mother 
 thought that Anna had been lonely at the Stapletons. Anna herself showed 
 improvement in manner and in appearance. She said she had not told a lie nor 
 taken money since she left the Stapletons, and that she did not intend to do so 
 any more. She agreed with the agent that it was very foolish to do things that 
 were wrong and that she was much happier when she had nothing to conceal. 
 
 About this time Anna was examined by a psychiatrist, who considered her 
 difficulties due to a temporary maladjustment and advised not pushing her in 
 school. He recommended leaving her where she was happy. 
 
 Within a month the boarding mother had a number of complaints to make. 
 Anna was careless and troublesome. She did her small share of the housework 
 carelessly. Matters came to a chmax when Anna induced a younger girl boarding 
 in the same family to steal a large and varied assortment of things with her. The 
 boarding mother gave her up after six months, saying that she had absolutely 
 failed with her. Anna had been deteriorating lately, taking more money and 
 
 [122] 
 
lying about it and showing complete indifference to reproof. She showed no 
 emotion on leaving. When Anna went to the next boarding home she was told 
 that the boarding mother would not be told of her faults on condition that she 
 make a resolute effort to overcome them. 
 
 Very much the same thing happened in the second boarding home; Anna began 
 well and then fell back into her faults. Here, however, the situation became com- 
 plicated by the discovery of a number of questionable things in the boarding 
 home. The visitor who had supervised Anna from the time that she went to the 
 Stapletons had a talk with her about conditions in her boarding home and was 
 impressed by her fair mindedness and good sense and frankness in discussing the 
 matter. It was decided that she must be removed and another home was found 
 for her. The visitor then took Anna out to luncheon and had a long talk with her, 
 telling her about the new home and leaving it to her to say what she would prefer 
 to do. Anna was undoubtedly attached to her boarding mother in spite of the 
 obvious defects of the home and had very much dreaded leaving her. She ob- 
 jected too to leaving at that time, just before the end of the first term of school, 
 as she would lose her promotion. It was arranged, therefore, to leave her there 
 till the first of the year, at which time Anna said she would be glad to go to the 
 other family. Anna said that she appreciated the offer and would be glad to 
 accept it. She had been afraid that it was a working home, like the Stapletons, 
 and she did not want to go to such a place again. Agent told Anna that this was 
 a home of high standards and ideals, and that Anna would be expected to Uve up 
 to them. Anna told the agent that her boarding mother had been trying to 
 persuade here to stay, but that she had told her that she would make no promises 
 until she heard about the new home. 
 
 Third Placement. — The home to which she then went seems in some ways to 
 contradict what has previously been said about the wisdom of placing these girls 
 in homes too remote from them socially and intellectually. This household was 
 superior in those ways to the Stapletons' home, where Anna had failed so lament- 
 ably. But the answer to the question of why it has succeeded where the other 
 failed must he in the difference of attitude on the part of the family. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Long and their three grown children who were Uving at home were all 
 apparently genuinely anxious to do something to help a young girl. It is perhaps 
 significant of their feehng that their interest was aroused by a special appeal in a 
 newspaper for help for this particular girl, one in a group of thirty others. Cer- 
 tainly their interest seemed straightforward and warm. The work that Anna 
 could do was of secondary importance. Mrs. Long herself, with the help of her 
 two daughters, took care of the large house and did the cooking. One of the 
 daughters taught in a nearby school and one was in a business school. The son 
 of twenty-five was at home for the winter, but was to be married soon. The 
 house was big and handsomely furnished and had a large garden. Everything 
 was in good taste and immaculately clean. Mr. Long was in business, and though 
 the family were only moderately well off, one daughter had been through college, 
 one was studying for an advanced degree in history, and the son had business 
 training. Mrs. Long planned to teach Anna sewing and housework and cooking, 
 as she had her own daughters, and was looking forward with pleasure to having a 
 younger person in the house again. 
 
 Anna went there in January, 1920, when she was fifteen and a half. She was 
 taken there by the same visitor. Mrs. Long came to the door. . . . She 
 
 [ 123 ] 
 
greeted Anna very nicely, put her arms around her and kissed her, and made her 
 feel at home. . . . She said that she knew that she would like Anna, and she 
 hoped she would be happy with them. Anna was quite responsive. She said, 
 as she looked around her room, that she could not beUeve that this home was to 
 be hers, and that she was going to do her best. Mr. Long came in and greeted 
 Anna very cordially, caUing her Miss Anna. The son and daughter also came 
 in, and agent thought no one could have greeted Anna more cordially. 
 
 The visitor called a few weeks later and found Mrs. Long very cordial and very 
 much pleased with Anna. . . . She admits that Anna has her faults, but 
 feels that those are natural in a young girl. Mrs. Long thinks that she is an ex- 
 ceptionally sensitive girl. Mrs. Long says that because of her having been ill 
 with a cold they had spoiled her a Uttle. It was a pleasure to her to have some one 
 young again to fuss over. She feels that Anna needs an extra bit of mothering 
 to make up for the rather hard life she has had. Anna responds very sweetly 
 to the interest they take in her, and is apparently deUghted with the large family. 
 They are a jolly crowd, and Anna can hardly wait until they come home at night. 
 They have had her do the dishes once or twice in the evening, and she was so long 
 at it that they teased her about it. They consider her very bright and rather 
 witty. She reads voraciously, and they have given her very sensible standard 
 books. Anna came in with the news that she had been promoted to 8A, and says 
 that she wants to go through high school and finish with a commercial course. 
 Anna certainly looked well and happy. 
 
 At the next visit, some months later, Mrs. Long had an excellent report to 
 give. Anna had improved physically very noticeably, although she tired easily. 
 Mrs. Long was going to arrange for more outdoor exercise and later on a gym- 
 nasium course. Her only work is to make her bed and to help with the dishes at 
 night. They had never found her untruthful nor dishonest; in fact, she had 
 shown unusual care in returning pieces of money which she had found about the 
 house. She had a keen sense of humor and they all enjoyed her. The teacher 
 reported that she was doing excellent work and was very companionable with the 
 other children. She was the only one in her class who had no deficiencies for the 
 semester. Anna said that she had never been happier, and that the Longs were a 
 wonderful family. She liked the school and her companions and had a wonderful 
 time at home. She seemed perfectly satisfied, and was beginning to be a credit 
 to herself. 
 
 As one reviews this case, certain salient features appear. First, that 
 a girl of Anna's type needs a special sort of home and must feel a cer- 
 tain congeniality if she is to make good. Second, that this sense of 
 being at home depends for her on the attitude of the family toward 
 her. For instance, she was and still is really fond of Mrs. Clark, who 
 took her in on a simple and natural footing. At the Stapletons she 
 failed undoubtedly because she realized that their interest in her was 
 primarily a selfish one. Mr. Stapleton's statement to her that he was 
 "under no obligation to keep her" and Mrs. Stapleton's remark to 
 
 [124 1 
 
the visitor that Anna was "harder to understand than a German" are 
 sufficient indications of their point of view, a point of view which a 
 girl as keen as Anna could hardly miss. Anna's fibs at school about her 
 relationship to the Stapletons were undoubtedly an indirect attempt 
 to make herself feel one of the family and to be thought so by the 
 neighbors. At the Longs, where she is thoroughly one of the family 
 and not a negligible one at that, she responds with all her powers of 
 development. In other words, if she feels the atmosphere warm and 
 human, she will do her utmost and will rise to meet its demands; but 
 if it be over-critical and unsympathetic, she will relax into her worst 
 faults. She is a sharply defined example of the girl who will rise to a 
 situation if it appeals to her, but who will be utterly indifferent if she 
 feels the absence of a personal appeal. This the Stapletons either 
 could not or would not see. 
 
 Another interesting feature is her good school work, which runs Uke 
 a clearly marked thread through the confused pattern of her life. She 
 seems always to have maintained her ambition and her pride in that, 
 which is a good index of her possibilities. It is worth pointing out that 
 her transfer to the Long home, which it was important to make as 
 quickly as possible, was postponed to allow her to finish out her term 
 at school. 
 
 It may be noted too that Anna was consulted about this move, and 
 that in consequence she went to the Long home with a consciousness 
 of doing so voluntarily and of the friendliness of the office. The value 
 of feeling that she had made her own choice can hardly be exaggerated. 
 
 That the Long home was not a "working home" is, of course, an 
 important point. But here the difference is one not of degree, but 
 of quality. Undoubtedly Anna would be willing to do twice the work 
 at the Longs' that she would at the Stapletons'; because she feels 
 that the interest of the Longs is not in what she can do, but in who 
 and what she is as a personality. That is the answer undoubtedly to 
 many a problem with the girls of this difficult age. That a home of 
 the type of the Longs' is uncommon is only too true. It has that 
 most valuable of all qualities in this situation — a sense of the impor- 
 tance of the girl's personality and a respect for it. 
 
 [125] 
 
Second Case. — The need of close supervision and the difficulties 
 which may be experienced in dealing even with an intelligent and 
 supposedly sympathetic foster family are shown in the case which 
 follows. After the children have been transferred to their second 
 home, an equal amount of supervision is called for, but from a different 
 point of view. 
 
 First Placement. — Robert and Henry Hale, two brothers of five and ten, were 
 first placed by the Association in June, 1919. They were unusually devoted to 
 each other, and the Association had refused several homes to which they might 
 have gone separately, feeUng that this was a case in which the separation would be 
 not only painful but harmful. The family who took them were childless — 
 people in their late forties. Mr. Stevens was an architect, a rather fastidious 
 and reticent person. His wife had been a teacher for many years, and had re- 
 tained a somewhat dictatorial manner. It was felt at the ofiice that they were 
 perhaps too inflexible to adapt themselves in middle age to the entrance of chil- 
 dren into their home, that their ideas were set, and that they might be difficult 
 people to advise. They were in moderate circumstances, were kindly and sub- 
 stantial, and genuinely interested in the project. In view of the fact that they 
 were wiUing to take two brothers it was decided to use the home, although the 
 decision was made with some misgivings. They called at the office to see Robert 
 and Henry, and seemed very much attracted to them. When they had decided 
 to take them it was explained very carefully to the Stevens that the older boy, 
 Henry, was suspicious of people, lacking in self-confidence, and unhappy over 
 having been removed from his family. The strong affection existing between the 
 two boys was emphasized. They were warned that it would undoubtedly take 
 tact and patience to win the confidence and affection of Henry. They were urged 
 to go to see the boys at their boarding home or to have the boys spend a day now 
 and again with them before the placement was finally made. It was felt that the 
 transition might be very difficult for Henry in his suspicious state of mind, and 
 that a gradual ripening of his acquaintance with the Stevens would make the 
 transition easier from one home to another. The Stevens failed to avail them- 
 selves to any extent of the opportunity of getting to know the boys beforehand. 
 
 Four Months After Placement. — Robert was eating breakfast when the agent 
 arrived at 11.30. Mrs. Stevens explained that she allowed him to get up late 
 because he stayed up evenings to be with his daddy. . . . Mrs. Stevens said 
 that she had not been ill, but she was getting nervous. . . . Robert has none 
 but sweet ways and is a constant delight. Henry, on the other hand, has de- 
 veloped into a problem for the Stevens, because he has sullen moods, is not help- 
 ful .. . won't do his homework, and is backward in his studies. He talks 
 about his own mother in a depressing way before Robert. Mrs. Stevens feels 
 that he is a backward boy, and will be a drag on Robert always. They have 
 concluded . . . that they could do more for one boy than for two. Agent 
 did not feel from Mrs. Stevens' account of Henry's wrongdoings and shortcomings 
 that he is very different from other boys of his age. It is obvious that there is 
 decided feeling on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens against him, probably be- 
 cause he is too much of a handful with all the other things that Mrs. Stevens has 
 
 [126 1 
 
to do, and because of her age and disposition. Agent was appalled at the rigidity 
 and amount of discipline meted out to Robert. . . . Agent wondered if such 
 a live youngster would continue to be docile in the face of so many dogmatic 
 commands. . . . Agent inquiried in regard to Mr. Stevens' attitude toward 
 the boys and the boys' toward him. Mrs. Stevens said he was fond of both — 
 especially of the Uttle fellow, as the latter is of him. . . . Mr. Stevens is 
 patient with Henry and tries to reason things out with him. . . . He was 
 disappointed because the boy had not taken to books. . . . Agent thought 
 that Mrs. Stevens was set in her ways and might not be able to cope with even 
 normal problems connected with a boy. In Henry's case there has been the 
 added drawback of being contrasted with his brother, and so there is no love as an 
 incentive to try and understand him. . . . Agent talked with Mrs. Stevens 
 a long time. . . and told her she felt there was nothing unusual the matter 
 with Henry, but that without love and firmness it would not be possible to do much 
 with him. She also mentioned that the office had been surprised at Mr. Stevens' 
 statement that it could not hurt boys to be separated. For this reason it was 
 possible that the office might consider it advisable to remove both boys. Agent 
 felt that the possibiUty of losing Robert and also a new awareness that she had not 
 been quite fair to Henry might change Mrs. Stevens' attitude. . . Agent 
 went to the school Henry is attending. . . . Agent saw both the teachers 
 he has had this year, the one in the third grade saying that he did such good 
 work that she thought he should be put ahead a class. His present teacher said 
 that Henry was doing very poor work, particularly in arithmetic, and she felt 
 it was because he was lazy. Agent doubted if she were a first-class teacher. 
 . . . Agent walked home with Henry, a distance of about two miles, and tried to 
 make him understand Mrs. Stevens' difficulties and responsibilities. . . . 
 Henry was perfectly polite and agreed to everything agent said. . . . Agent 
 had the disappointed feeKng that the talk had rolled off his mind . . . but 
 hked him just the same and felt that what he needs is stiff disciphne — stiff er than 
 Mrs. Stevens gives — ^backed up by real affection. 
 
 Office Visit.— Dec. 10, '19. Mr. Stevens called at the office. ... He 
 said he was quite sure that if we knew the children as he and Mrs. Stevens knew 
 them we would not be wiUing to keep them together and would not sacrifice one 
 child for the other. ... He said the children cared nothing for each other, 
 and that Robert was superior in every way to Henry. He said that Henry was 
 everything that was undesirable, and that he was going to tm*n out a very bad 
 boy, and unless some one took him who was very firm and had nothing to do but 
 to look after him he would be better in an institution. . . . Mr. Stevens 
 seemed to think that he knew a great deal about the boys, but was unwiUing to 
 give facts to agent unless she would promise him a reconsideration of our decision 
 not to separate the boys. ... He said that we did not know the boys at all, 
 and that they were in no way like brothers and he did not see any sense in keeping 
 them together. 
 
 Removal. — The boys were later removed, with the explanation to Henry that 
 the Stevens could not keep them both and that the office did not wish to separate 
 them. Henry seemed much reheved at knowing that he was to remain with his 
 brother. That same day they went to a visiting home. 
 
 Second Placement. — The second family, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis, had only one 
 child, a girl of fifteen. They were cultured people, New Englanders, in moderate 
 
 [127 1 
 
circumstances, and wished to do something for homeless children in memory of a 
 daughter who had died a year ago. They had had no experience with boys. 
 Several visits and telephone conversations ensued. Three weeks later a visit 
 was made by the visitor who had seen the boys at the Stevens'. 
 
 Visit. — Jan. 14, '20. Mrs. Curtis struck agent as a simple, plain, straight- 
 forward kind of woman, with much sympathy, possibly a little too sentimental. 
 She was intensely interested in having Henry advance rapidly in school and catch 
 up with his grade, was tutoring him at home, and possibly forcing him too fast. 
 She found him untruthful and obstinate and inclined to be lazy. In spite of this 
 she was genuinely interested in helping him and not incUned to be prejudiced 
 against him because of faults. Robert was giving no special concern; they were 
 all very fond of him already. But it was Henry on whom she was concentrating. 
 She was much touched by Henry's intense desire to stay with them, and very 
 honest with him about it, not promising him anything final but assuring him that 
 he would not be set adrift. 
 
 Visit. — Mar. 30, '20. Mrs. Curtis seems very much encouraged about the 
 two boys, and said that during the last two weeks she had felt that things were 
 really improving. . . . Henry has passed the work for the grade ahead, and 
 on his last report had two A's, a B plus, and two B's. . . . Henry is very 
 much pleased with his progress in school. He was doing his afternoon study 
 when agent called, as he does two hours' work every afternoon during the holi- 
 days. Mrs. Curtis says that she is well aware of Henry's yellow streaks, but that 
 she is not hopeless about training him. She said Henry had told her that his 
 boarding mother told him he would never amount to anything because of the kind 
 of father he had. . . . Mrs. Curtis is doing her best to get this idea out of 
 Henry's head. She says that he is much inclined to be grouchy ... al- 
 though he is improving. She feels that he has lazy tendencies which must be 
 discouraged, and requires him to work Saturday mornings. It is his job to clean 
 the front porch and the yard. Henry rebels against this, as all the other boys 
 come round urging him to play. Mrs. Curtis, however, insists on this, and agent 
 does not feel that it is too severe a task. . . . Mr. Curtis is inclined to be 
 somewhat irritated at the boys at various times, as he is not wholly in sympathy 
 with Mrs. Curtis's plan. Mrs. Curtis was very frank in speaking of this to 
 agent. . . . She says that while Mr. Curtis would not admit that he was glad 
 to have the boys there, he is intensely interested in what they do and she feels 
 very definitely that he is better off with the boys in the house than without them. 
 . . . Mrs. Curtis is beginning to feel that she can trust Henry a Uttle more 
 with money. ... As she feels that she can trust them more she will give 
 them a small definite allowance. . . . Mrs. Curtis says that Henry responds 
 to anything that is a httle off color. In the movies he is interested in crime, and 
 she is a Uttle worried about this. She says that while she does not talk to him 
 directly about these things, they are often made the subjects of conversation at 
 the table in such a way as to bring out the results of wrong conduct. . . . 
 Mrs. Curtis is thoroughly awake to her problem with these boys, and she is abso- 
 lutely conscientious in trying to do the best she can for them. She has very Uttle 
 self-assurance in the matter, but says that there has not been a particle of doubt 
 in her mind since the boys came there that it was intended for those boys to be 
 there. She is not troubled, therefore, in trying to make up her mind what she 
 ought or ought not to do. She wants to have the boys go through high school. 
 
 [128 1 
 
She doubts if they can go further than that. She said that she had made her will 
 some years ago, and that what she left would go to her daughter, but she had been 
 thinking of taking out a policy for the two boys, so that if anything happened to 
 her their education would be assured. . . . She is beginning to feel that 
 during the last two weeks Henry really has some affection for her. On more than 
 one occasion he has owned up when he had Ued or taken money and she has been 
 extremely happy over this. Robert is very devoted to Mrs. Curtis and is quite 
 demonstrative. This, of course, pleases her. 
 
 Third Case. — The last replacement case to be discussed is that of a 
 girl who was ten at the time of her first placement, and who was twice 
 replaced, and finally adopted in her third foster home. 
 
 Child's History. — Caroline Turner was born November, 1907. She was the 
 eldest of five children, whose home was broken up by the Society for the Preven- 
 tion of Cruelty to Children. The father, one of eighteen children, drank heavily, 
 worked seldom, although he could earn good wages as a painter, and served many 
 jail sentences for non-support and six months in the penitentiary for assault on 
 his wife. He was supposed to be a man of fair mentahty, and originally of better 
 character than his wife, but through dissipation had lost whatever stabiUty he 
 might once have had. He showed no sense of responsibihty whatever for his 
 children. The mother was one of twelve children, was weak-wiUed, lacking in 
 moral sense, and in responsibihty for her family, drank heavily, was immoral, 
 and had served a reformatory sentence. She was incapable of any work other 
 than housework, lost positions through drink and the bad company which she 
 kept, and could not be influenced to a better way of living. The grandmother 
 was a healthy woman, a splendid worker, but of doubtful reputation and Httle 
 moral sense. The family were always associated with the "bad lot" of the 
 town. The youngest child was rumored to be the child of a negro in whose family 
 the mother lived for a time. The children were all, except Caroline, in poor 
 condition physically, much institutionalized, and apparently retarded. CaroUne 
 seemed more promising than the others. She was attractive, and at the institu- 
 tion was much Uked. At ten she was in the second grade in school. She was 
 given a mental test before she was placed in her first home and was about one year 
 retarded. Her physical examination showed good nutrition and normal develop- 
 ment, somewhat enlarged tonsils, rather large abdomen, and shght flat-foot. 
 
 Following is a summary of the investigation of the first home in 
 which Caroline was placed : 
 
 Mrs. McMillan is twenty-seven years old. She is an American by birth but 
 is of Italian parentage. She is a rather stout, fresh-looking woman, with promi- 
 nent features and brown hair. She is a very ordinary woman, without any real 
 refinement, but she seems pleasant and fairly intelligent. She told agent that 
 her disposition is not nearly as good as her husband's. 
 
 Captain McMillan is a man thirty-four years old, an American of Scotch and 
 Enghsh parentage. He is of average height, brown hair and eyes. He impresses 
 
 9 [ 129 1 
 
one much more favorably than Mrs. McMillan. He is more intelligent and seems 
 to have a stronger character. 
 
 The McMillans have never had any children, though Mrs. McMillan knows 
 of no reason why. Her niece, who is her sister's only daughter, has stayed with 
 her most of the time for the last two years and Mrs. McMillan has clothed her. 
 Mrs. McMillan says her sister is very unappreciative, and is not willing to let 
 Mrs. McMillan have the child when she grows older, so Mrs. McMillan is anxious 
 to adopt one. 
 
 The McMillans live in a pleasant though plain neighborhood. Their home 
 was immaculately clean, comfortably furnished, but in rather poor taste. Their 
 bedrooms were plainly furnished, well ventilated, and very clean. The room in 
 which they are planning to have the little girl sleep will do very well. The house 
 has modern plumbing and the rooms are well arranged. 
 
 Captain McMillan receives a salary of $155 a month. He is captain on the 
 
 tugboat , of the Company. He has held this position for a number of 
 
 years. Captain McMillan is insured for $600 and Mrs. McMillan for $200. 
 
 Mrs. McMillan's first idea was to take a Uttle girl between the ages of seven 
 and eleven years for adoption. When agent called, she found Mrs. McMillan's 
 friends had been persuading her to take a much younger child, so that it was with 
 some difficulty that agent persuaded her to take a child over six years of age. Mr. 
 and Mrs. McMillan are not very particular about family history as long as the 
 child is normal. They are rather afraid of a heredity where there is insanity or 
 feeble-mindedness. They would want a child who is healthy, and Mrs. McMillan 
 is rather anxious to have a child whom she would consider good looking. Mr. 
 and Mrs. McMillan especially want an affectionate child. They say their niece, 
 Ruth, is unresponsive, and she has been a disappointment to them. 
 
 Mrs. Watson (a reference) made a favorable impression upon agent. She is a 
 woman of more refinement than Mrs. McMillan, whom she has known for several 
 years. She was not at all enthusiastic in speaking of her, but said she thought it 
 would be all right to place a child here, and in a good many ways she thought it 
 would be a good home. Captain McMillan is superior to his wife intellectually, 
 and a man who reads a good deal. He has a good disposition and has held a good 
 position for a long time. Mrs. McMillan is not motherly. She is a woman who 
 cares a good deal about nice clothes and spends a great deal of time on the piazza. 
 She does not care at all for reading, but she is usually at home and takes good care 
 of everything. She is friendly and happy natured, and so she is generally liked, 
 but she has not much depth. Mr. and Mrs. McMillan get along very well to- 
 gether and he thinks a great deal of his wife. Mrs. McMillan is quick tempered, 
 but her anger does not last. Mrs. McMillan's little nephew stays with her occa- 
 sionally, and Mrs. McMillan became irritated with him once and slapped him in 
 the face. Mrs. Watson says, however, this is the only time that she knew of 
 anything of the kind happening. The nephew was very fond of Mrs. McMillan, 
 and used to like to stay with her, and Mrs. Watson thinks Mrs. McMillan took 
 good care of her niece Ruth, who is eleven years old. Ruth is an unresponsive 
 child, but Mrs. Watson thinks she likes to stay with Mrs. McMillan. Mrs. 
 McMillan would not be inclined to sacrifice herself for a child — she would be Ukely 
 to consider herself first. Mrs. Wat«on does not think there is any question that 
 Mrs. McMillan will treat the child well, only she might not be as sympathetic 
 
 [130] 
 
toward her as she should be. Mrs. Watson has a high opinion of Mr. McMillan; 
 says he is a man of good habits and she has never heard of his drinking. 
 
 The other two references approve of the home, but are not discriminating 
 people. It is hard to get satisfactory information about this home because the 
 people have few social connections and Mrs. Watson was the only reference who 
 was especially helpful. The other two seemed so inferior. Agent thinks, how- 
 ever, that we might safely try the home for a little girl over five years of age. 
 The home is not hard to reach, and could be pretty carefully supervised, and as it 
 is difficult to get homes for Uttle girls of the age they would take, it seems worth 
 while to use it. Had the husband been inferior to Mrs. McMillan the home would 
 not seem desirable, but he is evidently a man of good character, industrious, and 
 kind in his home. 
 
 Placement. — Oct. 18. Mrs. McMillan took CaroHne home with her after 
 seeing her twice at the office. She was not much attracted to her at the first 
 interview, but liked her very much the second time. She agreed to have Caro- 
 line's teeth, which were in bad condition, attended to by her own dentist, preferr- 
 ing this to bringing the child into New York for treatment by the agency's dentist. 
 
 Letter. — Nov. 2. Mrs. McMillan wrote that she wished to return Carohne, 
 giving as her chief reason the fact that the child was too old and knew too much 
 about her own family and circumstances. 
 
 The visitor who had investigated the home made all the subsequent visits. 
 
 Visit. — Nov. 6. Mrs. McMillan made the same kind of impression as when the 
 investigation was made. She is a very ordinary woman, who is inexperienced, 
 lacking in common sense, and not sympathetic. She seems to be anxious to 
 comply with our rules, and not to be keeping anjdihing back. She is beginning to 
 appreciate Caroline since every one in the neighborhood likes her and it touched 
 her because Caroline cried when she spoke of her having to go back to the office. 
 She said that the child had not shown any affection for them, and she had not 
 supposed that it would make any difference to her. She says that Carohne seems 
 ta be a nice child in every way, but that at first she was not at all attracted to her. 
 She had set her heart on a younger child. Mrs. McMillan says that Captain 
 McMillan hkes Carohne very much and thinks that they would make a great 
 mistake if they gave her up. Carohne is obedient. She has been truthful, and 
 Mrs. McMillan does not doubt her honesty; she has been leaving money within 
 easy reach, but agent told her that she thought it unwise to place this temptation 
 before the child. Carohne has been entered in the 2B grade in school. The 
 teacher is a near neighbor, and Mrs. McMillan asked her to tell her if there is 
 anything about Caroline which is peculiar. Mrs. McMillan wants to be very 
 particular in choosing Carohne's playmates, and does not want her to play with 
 older children. Mrs. McMillan told Carohne when she brought her home that 
 she was her own child and that she had placed her in an institution when she was 
 a baby. She felt that this simplified things, for the children kept questioning 
 her about where she came from. Agent told Mrs. McMillan that she had made a 
 great mistake in telhng Carohne this, and that she would have to explain that it 
 was not so. Carohne looked very well. Now that Mrs. McMillan thinks that 
 she will keep her after all she has bought her some new clothes. Mrs. McMillan 
 did not think it was necessary to take her to the dentist, but agent reminded her 
 that she had agreed to do so and she said that she would. Carohne impressed 
 agent as an ordinary child. She seems healthy and happy natured. She likes 
 
 [131] 
 
her home, and told agent that she wanted to stay with "her own mother." The 
 McMillans have given her roller skates and have evidently been kind to her. 
 Agent called on the most rehable reference, Mrs. Watson. She says that the 
 McMillans seem anxious to keep Carohne now and that the child seems perfectly 
 happy there. Mr. McMillan makes a great fuss over her — he is very fond of 
 children. She repeated to agent what Mrs. McMillan had told Caroline about her 
 being their own child, as an instance of Mrs. McMillan's lack of judgment. 
 
 Visit. — Dec. 5. Mrs. McMillan was seen at home and Caroline walked home 
 from school with agent. Mrs. McMillan is beginning to resent visits a little, and 
 does not like to have suggestions made. The house always looks well, for Mrs. 
 McMillan is a particular housekeeper. Caroline's room was very neat. Caro- 
 hne has rosy cheeks and looks very well. Her expression has changed a good 
 deal, and she seems particularly happy. Mrs. McMillan thinks a good deal of 
 clothes, and places too much emphasis upon them, and Carohne's head seems a 
 little turned by it. She talked about all her new clothes and the things that she 
 was going to have for Christmas. She says that Mr. and Mrs. McMillan are 
 very kind to her, and she speaks of Mrs. McMillan as if she were proud to possess 
 a mother. Everything is apparently going very well with her. Mrs. McMillan 
 says that they do not want to give Carohne up now and that they want to adopt 
 her. She has explained to Caroline that she is not her own mother but she has 
 thought that after they legally adopted her they would move somewhere else 
 and then she would tell Caroline that she was her own child. Agent told her 
 that it would be much better to let things remain as they are — that it would con- 
 fuse Caroline. She says that she never had any fault to find with Carohne, only 
 she wanted a younger child. Caroline is obedient, and has never been the least 
 bit saucy or impudent. She talks a good deal about her own family and has told 
 Mrs. McMillan things which shocked her. 
 
 Agent saw Mrs. Watson, the reference, who says that Mrs. McMillan found 
 out about agent's previous visit and was a httle put out. Mrs. Watson says that 
 Mrs. McMillan never speaks affectionately of Carohne, but that it is not her nature 
 to do so. The child seems happy, and everything seems to be going all right, 
 but Mrs. McMillan lacked judgment in many things. Agent has felt that Mrs. 
 McMillan would be ready to suspect Carohne of wrongdoing, but as she grows 
 fonder of Caroline she wiU probably not be looking for her pecuUarities as she 
 did at first. 
 
 Letter. — Jan. 11. Mrs. McMillan wrote that she could not "take to" Caro- 
 line and asked to have her removed. 
 
 Removal. — Jan. 15. . . . Mrs. McMillan says that she has been dis- 
 appointed in a good many ways. She magnifies every little thing and has been 
 unable to get the child's point of view. She is selfish, and seems to have no 
 warmth in her nature. She makes no allowances for children. She says that 
 Carohne has been put back in school for writing notes to boys, that she has been 
 untruthful and is extremely slow. When asked for details, she could tell of 
 only one note. Carohne has told little untruths to save herself trouble. Mrs. 
 McMillan says it is not worth while beheving anything that she says now. She 
 will waste time dressing herself and doing the dishes. She is fond of playing in 
 the water, and shocked Mrs. McMillan by telling her that she was going to be a 
 "wash lady" when she grew up. Mrs. McMillan said that they would not want 
 to keep a child who would not amount to something. She is disappointed be- 
 
 [132 1 
 
cause the child still thinks about her own family, and when she is dreamy tells 
 Mrs. McMillan that she is thinking about her brothers. When she first entered 
 school Mrs. McMillan wanted her to call herself Caroline McMillan, and wrote 
 it on her ruler, and she did not like it when Carohne changed the name to Turner. 
 She expected Caroline to drop her own life the minute she arrived and to be her 
 own child. Mrs. McMillan has been thoroughly unreasonable about everything. 
 . . . Caroline has told Mrs. McMillan that she would not mind leaving if she 
 did not have to go back to the institution. She did not show any regret at all, 
 though she says that the McMillans have been kind to her. Caroline does not 
 seem more than eight years old. She is not an interesting child to be with. She 
 is a good-natured, obedient httle girl, she does not seem affectionate. . . . 
 Agent talked with her teacher, a very pleasant, intelUgent young woman. She 
 has not had any trouble with Caroline. She was in the A division of grade 2B 
 and has done average work and is younger than most of the children in the room . 
 Caroline is a nicer, better behaved girl than the others and always well dressed. 
 The teacher was indignant to think that Mrs. McMillan made anything of the 
 note incident. She told her that there was nothing to it. She thinks that Mrs. 
 McMillan has been very unjust and has the impression that she is too critical. 
 She believes that Mrs. McMillan thinks a good deal of the child. She says that 
 the first day that Carohne came to school Mrs. McMillan asked her to let her know 
 if she noticed the least thing to criticize in the child. 
 
 It may be asked why this home was used at all. It wag, to be sure, 
 something of an experimental placement. In its favor it may be 
 said that there seemed no doubt that the family genuinely wanted a 
 child and would do their best for her, according to their lights. The 
 man seemed a very positive asset in the household. Two other chil- 
 dren had been happy there. Materially speaking, the home was good 
 in a simple way. Families who would take a child of Caroline's age 
 were hard to find and Carohne's history, and what was known about 
 two brothers of hers in the care of the Association, would not have led 
 one to expect the excellent progress that she later made. Obviously, 
 the crux of the situation lay in Mrs. McMillan's character. From 
 experience with foster mothers not unlike her — shallow and self- 
 centered — who had risen adequately to the demands made upon them 
 by the care of a child, the Association felt that there was a good 
 chance of Mrs. McMillan's rising to her part. Her subsequent poor 
 judgment, one of the most serious failures, was not revealed until 
 after the placement had been made — as is so often the case. In other 
 words, it was felt that only a trial would show how she could get on 
 with a child. It took less than the three months that the child was 
 
 [133 1 
 
there to demonstrate that Mrs. McMillan would never be a real foster 
 mother. Her self-centered nature was incapable of the flexibiHty 
 and generosity needed. Her lack of sympathy and patience, her in- 
 sistence on unimportant matters, and her ignorance of important 
 ones — and not least her asking the teacher to be on the lookout for 
 things amiss in the child's behavior — are all symptoms of a tempera- 
 ment unfitted for the role of foster mother. However, Caroline was 
 actually improved in many ways by her stay there; she lost her insti- 
 tutionalism, gained physically, and learned the rudiments of decent 
 family life. 
 
 Re-examinations. — Following her removal Caroline was boarded for three weeks, 
 during which she was given a second physical examination and found to be in 
 good condition. She was given a mental examination also, which gave her an 
 intelligence quotient of 90. She was cooperative, quick in her replies, and friendly 
 and alert in her attitude. 
 
 Second Home. — The following is a summary of the second home in 
 which Caroline was placed — ^that of Mr. and Mrs. George Post. 
 
 Mrs. Post is a handsome woman, about thirty-two years of age, tall and large, 
 with a fine face and sweet manners. She is a woman of a good deal of character. 
 She is a public school teacher. Mr. Post is a fine-looking young man, strong and 
 healthy, with a splendid physique and a strong face. He speaks intelligently 
 and uses very good English. He talks better than his wife. He seems a little 
 inclined to question the amount of investigation, and said that he supposed that 
 they would be just as particular in looking up the child whom they were to take. 
 
 Mr. Post is employed by a very important banking firm, that of Co., and 
 
 has a good position. Previous to this he was for eight years in the Government 
 service. He started in his present firm at $75 a month and has had three raises 
 since. He is now getting $125 and has just received a bonus of $20. He says 
 that he has never been out of work, has always made good in every position, and 
 that he is one of the youngest men taken into this important banking office. He 
 considers it quite an honor, as the men there have all been connected with the firm 
 for thirty or more years. He feels that they are giving him an opportunity for 
 advancement and that he is well on the way to make good. Mr. Post was adopted 
 as a young child and brought up on a southern plantation and had very little 
 regular education. He preferred to start out entirely on his own responsibility 
 
 rather than to accept money from his foster parents. Mrs. Post comes from , 
 
 Ohio, went through grammar school and college, and has been connected with the 
 Board of Education for five years. She intends to keep on teaching. 
 
 The Posts live on the top floor of a two-family house in a better class neighbor- 
 hood. The rooms are furnished in good taste and there are large leather arm- 
 chairs about. They have no pictures on the walls and very few books. Mr. 
 Post is not very fond of reading, and they are both very busy people and do not 
 
 [134] 
 
have much leisure. They have not very much furniture, but everything was well 
 chosen and showed taste. 
 
 Mrs. Post said that it would make no difference to her if she had a child after 
 she adopted one, which may be the case if the doctor's treatment is successful. 
 They wish a httle girl between five and eight. They do not want one younger 
 as Mrs. Post has to be in school. The girl would, however, be under her care in 
 school. Mr. Post is very fond of children, and is as anxious as his wife to get one. 
 Mr. Post spoke again of having been brought up by a foster mother and father 
 who were very fine people, and agent said that since he had been an adopted child, 
 he must understand why it was so important to select a good home for a child. 
 The Posts understand that they will have to wait a year before adopting a child, 
 and they will be glad to have a visitor from the Association call at any time. 
 
 Six references were interviewed regarding Mr. and Mrs. Post and two very 
 satisfactory letters concerning them were received. One was from their former 
 pastor, who wrote, "For ten years I knew them most intimately — members of 
 the church I served, active in Sunday School, of a fine Christian character, and 
 possessing the quahties that make a home in every sense of the word." Of 
 the six references seen, one was the family physician, who stated that Mrs. 
 Post's difficulty in bearing a child was not due to venereal disease, but 
 to an organic weakness. He reconmiended them highly. Another reference 
 was the principal of Mrs. Post's school, and the other four were personal friends 
 of long standing, all of whom spoke of the family in the highest terms. The 
 investigator felt that their recommendations were somewhat general and lacking 
 in discrimination, but found absolutely nothing derogatory in the course of her 
 interviews with them. All the references said that Mrs. Post would be capable 
 of training a child well and of giving her good and intelligent care. They agreed 
 that Mr. Post was a reliable man of excellent character and that Mrs. Post was an 
 intelUgent, sweet-natured woman. Their home life was considered very happy. 
 
 Placement. — Feb. 7. Mr. and Mrs. Post saw Caroline at the office and de- 
 cided almost instantly to take her at once. They were given the main facts 
 about the child's history, but were not told of the father's jail sentences. They 
 were also told of CaroHne's first placement and the reasons for its failure. 
 
 The first word received from them some three weeks later was an enthusiastic 
 letter, saying that Carohne is a "perfect dear, is adapting herself well, and that 
 all the Post family are enjoying her to the fullest and had not dared to hope for 
 such a dehghtful child." 
 
 All visits in this home were made by the same visitor. 
 
 Office Visit. — ^April 13. Mrs. Post said that her husband was absolutely satis- 
 fied with Carohne, and that she thought that she herself would soon feel the same 
 way, but at present she was worried because the child seemed less bright than they 
 hoped. However, she was doing well in the third grade in school, was practising 
 her music faithfully, was "companionable, willing, and obedient." 
 
 Visit. — June 6. Carohne looks very sturdy and extremely happy. She is 
 especially devoted to her father, and had her arms around him most of the time. 
 She has a pretty room, very daintily arranged for her. Mrs. Post seems a fine 
 woman, very sensible in her handling of the child. She and Mr. Post assured 
 visitor that it had not been "all sunshine" bringing up Carohne; they had had 
 great sympathy with the family who had had to give her up. Mrs. Post said 
 that Caroline had had absolutely no training, and she would not have beUeved it 
 
 [135] 
 
possible that any child could reach the age that Caroline had and still have to 
 learn so much; Caroline was not at all adaptable, and every step forward had to 
 be taken with the greatest difficulty. She thinks, however, that Carohne tries 
 very hard, that she Ukes them, and has learned a good deal in four months. Mrs. 
 Post said that the longer Carohne stayed with them the more they Uked her. 
 They feel that she has very fine quahties underneath, and has the makings of a 
 fine woman. Caroline is still backward in school, but Mrs. Post knows just how 
 to help her and hopes that without pushing her she can get her to skip two grades. 
 Visitor called on Mrs. Stockel, one of the original references. She is devoted to 
 Carohne and Carohne to her. She thinks that Carohne is extremely happy and 
 is developing splendidly, and that Mr. and Mrs. Post have done everything for 
 her. Mrs. Post has worked over her with the greatest possible patience and care. 
 
 Visit. — Oct. 4. The family had returned from their summer vacation. , . . 
 Visitor met Caroline roller skating and hardly recognized her; she had improved 
 so much. She was well dressed, her manners were good, and she welcomed visitor 
 cordially. Mrs. Post was anxious for a long talk. They feel that Caroline is not 
 developing as she should and that the time has come for them to return her. 
 The child had learned very slowly, but they felt that she had tried hard and was 
 improving steadily until last June. She passed her examinations with good marks. 
 But during the summer she had slumped and had forgotten most of the lessons 
 over which Mrs. Post worked so hard with her. Her teacher, according to Mrs. 
 Post, is also dissatisfied. She says that Carohne is inattentive, makes no effort, 
 and has no memory. Mrs. Post thinks that this lack of memory is hopeless and 
 that there is something wrong with the child's mentality. Caroline forgets the 
 simplest things. Every morning she has to say, "Carohne, have you washed 
 your face? Have you brushed your teeth?" Last year she had Carohne's duties 
 reduced to a system, with a list pinned up on the wall. Now, however, she has 
 completely forgotten it and has found the adjustment on coming home from vaca- 
 tion almost as hard as when she first came to them. She has no idea of how to 
 play, either alone or with other children. . . . Mrs. Post says that she 
 apparently has no sex knowledge, but feels that she already has a highly developed 
 sex consciousness. 
 
 Mrs. Post's remarks were not all complaints: she is evidently truly devoted to 
 Carohne and considers her a charming child in many ways. She is attractive, 
 has sweet manners, and a dehghtful sense of humor. However, she feels strongly 
 that she is not the type who will develop satisfactorily in their home. Mr. Post 
 came in and talked at great length. He is evidently quite devoted to Caroline, 
 and visitor felt that it was going to be a wrench for him to have her taken away. 
 Yet he said that he had made up his mind that he would not let his heart rule his 
 head and that he was convinced that Carohne had not the capacity for developing 
 which he felt he must have in any child whom they adopt. He said that matters 
 would only grow worse as the child grew older. He made it clear that he was 
 wilhng and glad to keep Carohne as long as was necessary for the Association to 
 find a satisfactory home for her. Visitor suggested that Carohne be brought for 
 a mental test and they agreed readily. 
 
 Visitor felt that the disciphne was pretty strict and that Mr. and Mrs. Post 
 expect a great deal. Mrs. Post has worked a great deal in school with difficult 
 children, and says that she has accomplished wonders with them. She seems to 
 have excellent theories about how to train and develop backward children. She 
 
 [136] 
 
is, however, very different from Caroline temperamentally, and seems to expect 
 an old head to grow suddenly on the child's shoulders. Certainly both Mr. and 
 Mrs. Post have become quite out of patience with Caroline. Mrs. Post said that 
 she had never heard her husband speak angrily at home until the last few months, 
 when it seemed as if he had continually to correct Caroline. Mrs. Post was tired 
 out in the spring and had a hard summer and no time to rest her nerves, and per- 
 haps this has had something to do with her finding Caroline so difficult. Visitor 
 feels that if the mental test is satisfactory there is just a possibility that it may 
 make a difference in their attitude. 
 
 Office Visit. — Oct. 19. Mrs. Post brought Caroline in for a mental examina- 
 tion. Both she and Mr. Post are much discouraged. CaroUne is a very lovable 
 child, and it is going to be hard to give her up, for she has endeared herself to 
 them both. Mrs. Post said that they have tried every possible means to make her 
 realize the necessity of doing certain routine things. . . . The teacher has 
 the same trouble and is coiistantly sajang "Caroline Post, elbows off the desk." 
 Mr. Post is very much discouraged, and said only that morning that the sooner 
 she left them the better. Mrs. Post feels that she might fit into a family where the 
 people were not interested in mental development and where she would be brought 
 up more or less carelessly. Mrs. Post said that Mr. Post has met so many suc- 
 cessful women in his banking office that it is quite a disappointment to him that 
 he cannot make Carohne become a clever woman too. Every time that Mrs. 
 Post spoke of returning Carohne the tears came into her eyes, and it is undoubtedly 
 true that she will hate to give up the child. She is very anxious to know the re- 
 sult of the mental test, although she feels that they cannot possibly keep Carohne. 
 At present the child is very clean minded and seems absolutely unconscious of 
 sex knowledge, but Mrs. Post feels she will soon have to tell her as she thinks that 
 she will mature early. 
 
 The report of Caroline's mental test was: Age, ten years eleven months; 
 mental age, eleven years four months; intelligence quotient, 103.81. Response 
 to the tests showed in every particular a definite reaction to the developmental 
 and cultural environment in which she has lived for the last eight months. Gen- 
 eral comprehension is excellent. . . . This child shows definitely capabihties 
 for social and intellectual development to a degree considerably above the average. 
 
 The examiner also talked with Mrs. Post. Her opinion was that the difficulty 
 was twofold; a tendency on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Post to theorize about the 
 child and to be on the lookout for symptoms of retardation or abnormality, and 
 a lack of practical experience with children which resulted in their considering 
 perfectly normal naughtiness or forgetfulness as abnormal. Little incidents 
 which the foster mother reported as indicative of abnormahty in Caroline were 
 such as any mother expects and meets with in her own children. The examiner 
 thought that it would be highly improbable that any child could be given to this 
 family who would be equally capable of assimilation of their environment or 
 equally promising as regards mental environment. On the part of the child it 
 must be said that it would probably be difficult to find a home where the in- 
 fluences under which she developed so amazingly could be continued; but, on 
 the other hand, if the foster parents are not satisfied and if they cannot discon- 
 tinue their habit of anticipating trouble and applying theories, it would be better 
 for the child to be taken at once rather than at a later time, when the affection 
 which she now feels would have even deeper roots. 
 
 10 [ 137 ] 
 
Office Visit. — Nov. 6. Mr. Post, at the request of the office, called to talk 
 matters over, and was interviewed by the supervisor of case work, who was 
 famiUar with the case, and by the psychologist with whom he wished to discuss 
 the mental examination. He opened the conversation by saying that we people 
 were entirely mistaken if we thought that he meant to give up Caroline soon. 
 He said that he had always made a success in life of everythilig that he had under- 
 taken, and that it would be mortifying to him to fail in anything that he under- 
 took. He was quite on his mettle and will make every effort to keep CaroUne 
 provided that she comes up to their standard. Mr. Post seemed very fair and 
 really anxious to know where the fault lies, and what reason there may be for 
 CaroHne's making such rapid strides the first five months she was with them and 
 then absolutely slumping. . . . She formerly got up at seven in the morning 
 and got ready for breakfast and practised twenty minutes before school. Now 
 she gets up at half-past six, and with constant nagging from the family manages 
 barely to get to school on time, with no practising. She seems to Uke them, and 
 when he explains to her her faults she says, "Yes, daddy," and promises to correct 
 them, but immediately does the same thing over again. For instance, he will 
 explain to her a word she has misspelled and watch over her shoulder while she 
 does it and she will make the same mistake a second time. He says the child is 
 very responsive and affectionate, and they are very fond of her. He does not 
 doubt that she gets tired of the nagging, but she will do nothing unless they keep 
 after her constantly. ... He admits that they have nagged too much. 
 Agent suggested that it was possibly the adolescent stage beginning to affect the 
 child, . . . combined with the fact that she feels quite sure of staying there 
 and has let herself down from the overexertion of the first months. Mr. Post 
 is the type of man who seems to have no patience with any one who can't jump 
 at things as he does. He is to a certain extent sympathetic, but fails to under- 
 stand that a child may be perfectly normal and yet fail to measure up to his re- 
 quirements. It was arranged that a visitor would talk with CaroUne and see if 
 it was possible for the child to rise to the standards that she had previously had. 
 
 To the examiner Mr. Post made the following statements; first, he said con- 
 clusively that he had no intention at any time of giving up the child and that it 
 was Mrs. Post who, because of her nervous condition, wished to do so. (This 
 was in direct contradiction to the statement of Mrs. Post ten days previous . . . 
 that Caroline was being kept in their home only through her intercession, as Mr. 
 Post was "totally disgusted" with her. She had further said that Caroline was 
 upsetting Mr. Post, that he was constantly disturbed by her, and in a bad humor 
 most of the time.) Mr. Post spoke at length concerning Mrs. Post, and said 
 that he reahzed that she had never had the experience of Uving with normal chil- 
 dren and that she was prone to theorizing. According to his story, the dissatis- 
 faction rested entirely with Mrs. Post, and affected him only in so far as he had to 
 confess that he was faihng in something. He seemed quite convinced that the 
 child was not normal, but the trivial little incidents which he brought out as proof 
 were such things as might have happened in any ordinary family. . . . 
 Examiner feels strongly that they expect entirely too much of the child. . . . 
 They should be made to realize that she is just a young child and the responsi- 
 bility should rest with them and not with her. . . . The constant nagging 
 which they confess and the constant evidence which they give the child that she 
 is not pleasing them would be enough to dishearten anybody. It is extremely 
 
 I 138 ] 
 
unlikely that any child could be found who at this early age could measure up to 
 the standard of success which Mr. Post is so proud of having attained and which 
 he demands in all those associated with him. 
 
 Visit. — Nov. 29. The regular visitor took Caroline out a week later for an after- 
 noon. . . . Carohne seems to be happy and thoroughly devoted to both her 
 father and mother. She does not seem to feel that . . . too much is ex- 
 pected of her, but admits that she is terribly forgetful and has to be reproved con- 
 tinually. She is a decidedly attractive Uttle girl, and chats on very pleasantly, 
 though she probably has no great depth of nature. She promised that she would 
 try very hard. 
 
 Visit. — Dec. 12. Mrs. Post said again and again in the child's presence that 
 she was in the wrong home and should be taken away. She gave the visitor to 
 understand that Mr. Post had made up his mind to part with Caroline. Mr. Post 
 came in and said at once that he had decided to give Caroline another chance. 
 Mrs. Post admitted that she had not been well for some time, and that she had 
 probably been hard on the child. Visitor feels that neither of these people is at 
 all generous in judging the child, but Caroline seems happy and there is nothing 
 to do but to see how the present trial works out. 
 
 Visit. — Feb. 1. When the visitor next called Mrs. Post said that she did not 
 believe that they had expected too much of Carohne. . . . Caroline takes 
 too much for granted. She expects to be treated as their equal. This is perhaps 
 their fault because when she first came they took her everywhere with them. Her 
 manners in company charmed the older people whom she met. Mrs. Post feels 
 that when Carohne is older she will invariably be the center of the crowd; this 
 is not so now because the children of her own age cordially disUke her. Mrs. 
 Post says that Carohne is a born servant, because she loves to scrub. She thinks 
 that Carohne is very silly about boys, and thinks that they are always looking at 
 her. . . . She feels that the child is over-emotional. She feels that her emo- 
 tions will develop at the expense of her intellect, and she does not feel that she can 
 take the responsibihty of guiding her through the difficult three or four years to 
 come. Mrs. Post, who was brought up in a very prim fashion, cannot under- 
 stand the demonstrative side of the child's natm*e. She said that she had never 
 beheved that such a thing as a "soul kiss" existed until she saw Carohne kiss Mr. 
 Post. Their marriage had been a friendly one, and neither she nor Mr. Post 
 could understand Caroline's show of affection. Carohne's behavior has got on 
 Mrs. Post's nerves so that she is almost a wreck. She expects to undergo an 
 operation in two months and she cannot have anything disturbing her meanwhile. 
 
 Removal. — Feb. 8. Carohne was removed and taken directly to her new 
 home. She had been with the Posts a year and a day. Mrs. Post said that she 
 was sorry for the people who had to tell Caroline that she was not coming back 
 to the Posts. She even said that they might be willing to take her back per- 
 manently later on because she felt that a separation from them might cure her 
 of the faults of which they disapproved. She said good-by to the child very 
 affectionately. 
 
 This second placement shows some of the same elements of failure 
 as the first, but involves infinitely more complex problems. It was 
 felt, after Caroline had responded so well to even the Umited advan- 
 
 [139] 
 
tages of the McMillan home and had shown improvement in her sec- 
 ond over her first mental examination, that she was the type of child 
 who could develop considerably in a higher grade home, and conse- 
 quently the home selected was one in which she would have distinct 
 advantages in education and some social advantages also. 
 
 One element of failure in the Post home, as in the McMillan, lay in 
 the temperament of the foster mother. Added to this was the very 
 exacting temperament of the foster father. The foster parents' rela- 
 tionship to each other probably had nearly as much to do with the 
 failure of the placement as did the child's difficulties. It must be 
 frankly admitted at the outset of this discussion that the original in- 
 vestigation of this family was inadequate because it did not penetrate 
 the temperament and complications involved. Nothing of the subse- 
 quent difficulties with Mrs. Post was foreshadowed, except that of 
 possible ill health, and there was a hint merely of Mr. Post's, in his 
 objection to being "investigated" — which in passing we may remark 
 is usually a danger signal — and possibly in his somewhat egotistical 
 account of himself. The advantages of the home were manifest and 
 were emphasized by references. It is, however, only fair to say that 
 the kind of complications which subsequently arose were the kind 
 which it is next to impossible to discover by any means but the actual 
 experiment of placing the child there. 
 
 In this situation — the Post family and Caroline — we have to reckon 
 not only with the child's adjustment to them and theirs to her, but 
 with the effect of this adjustment upon the relations between Mr. and 
 Mrs. Post. This is true, as we have said before, of all placements, but 
 it is not always so obvious as in this instance. Beyond a doubt there 
 was in Mrs. Post's dissatisfaction with Caroline more than disappoint- 
 ment at the child's failure to develop as she had hoped; there is 
 distinctly an element of jealousy over the child's fondness for Mr. 
 Post. The jealousy of a grown woman over the affection of a child 
 of ten will seem improbable only to those unfamiliar with the intimate 
 adjustments involved in this work. Mrs. Post's remark to the visitor 
 about "the soul kiss" — her own phrase — ^is highly significant. Her 
 remarks that Caroline would be the center of a crowd as she grew 
 
 [ 140 1 
 
older, coupled with her suggestion that Caroline is a bom servant 
 because she loves to scrub, are certainly not made in the spirit of fair- 
 minded criticism, but are actuated by the desire to disparage the 
 child. 
 
 The development of Mr. Post in the character of a foster father is 
 highly suggestive. For one thing, he took more active a part than 
 foster fathers usually do in the experiment; he did more and he said 
 much, much more. His behavior and its effect upon his wife's atti- 
 tude were possibly the determinants of the situation. An aggressive 
 man, none too sure of himself and his position, probably, under a 
 veneer of assurance, wanting results quickly — as if he were putting 
 through a business deal instead of handling one of the most delicate 
 and intimate of human relationships — he displays few of the primary 
 requisites of a father. His letters and his speeches are full of significant 
 hints of the characteristics that made the placement fail. *' I am satis- 
 fied," he wrote, *'that the young lady concerned is not all we hoped 
 for," as if her failure to come up to standard were a gratification to 
 him. Mr. Post was disappointed because Caroline at ten — ^just out of 
 an institution, and before that in the most degraded home imaginable, 
 as he knew — was not developing into one of those clever women in 
 his business office. "He has no patience with people who cannot 
 jump at things as he does." But most significant of all are his reasons 
 for wishing to give Caroline a longer trial. "He said that he had 
 always made a success of ever3rthing that he undertook, and it would 
 be mortifying to him to fail in anything." Mrs. Post's dissatisfaction 
 "affected him only in so far as he had to confess that he was failing in 
 something." In these statements we have the key to the reasons why 
 Mr. Post failed as a foster father. It has become with him not a ques- 
 tion of whether Caroline is happy, whether his way of dealing with 
 her faults is the best, whether indeed those faults would exist if he 
 did not deal with them by means of constant nagging, but of how 
 this experiment was affecting him and his reputation. 
 
 The problem of Caroline's deterioration in this home is not so easily 
 answered. No doubt it was due in part to the approach of adolescence, 
 in part to that slackening of effort which so often occurs when a child 
 
 1 141 ] 
 
has come to feel fairly sure of her position in the family, and certainly 
 it was due also to the methods of training used by the Posts. Reitera- 
 tion and nagging, "keeping at" a child, inevitably have a dulling 
 rather than a stimulating effect. Moreover, Caroline doubtless felt 
 instinctively the impossible nature, for her, of the Posts' standards, 
 and was too discouraged to make the effort demanded by them. 
 
 The third family in which Caroline was placed was described as 
 follows (visits to references omitted) : 
 
 Third Home. — Mr. Andrews is an American and a Presbyterian. He is a tall, 
 rather well built man, with gray hair which has receded quite a bit from his forehead. 
 His eyes are a pale blue and his face is quite florid. He wears a small mustache. 
 He is a man who is very economical and his only extravagance seems to be a 
 victrola. Several years ago he used to smoke, but he felt that it was Uke burning 
 money, so has given up this habit. He has had only a pubhc school education. 
 He seems a very inteUigent sort of a man. 
 
 Mrs. Andrews is also American and a Protestant and is of German descent. 
 She is a short, stout, motheriy appearing woman, has dark eyes, dark hair, and 
 wears glasses. She was dressed in a neat cotton house dress. She speaks with 
 great affection of her father and mother. She always Uved at home, never having 
 worked out before her marriage. She had a pubUc school education. She seems 
 to be a very motherly type of woman, though rather sentimental in her attitude 
 and probably would be over-indulgent with a child. She is not as intelhgent in 
 her conversation as her husband. She appears to be very strong and well. 
 
 The Andrews home is a two-story, two-family brick house in a resp)ectable 
 neighborhood. It is a neighborhood of the lower middle class. The houses and 
 Uttle yards are all neat and well cared for. There were many children playing 
 and rushing about in a very boisterous manner. These children were all fairly 
 well dressed, but gave the impression of being somewhat undisciphned. The 
 public school and Presbyterian Church are within a few blocks from the house. 
 The upper floor the Andrews rent to a young married couple with two small 
 children. Their own apartment consists of five rooms and bath. The front room 
 is hght and airy, but the dining-room and the bedroom where the child would 
 sleep were inside rooms, and were not very Ught. However, they seemed fairly 
 airy. Everything about the apartment was in good order and very clean. The 
 fimiishings were somewhat nondescript, being neither particularly good nor par- 
 ticularly bad taste. The rooms seemed very homelike and comfortable. 
 
 Mr. Andrews is now working for the Government. He has been making quite 
 a bit of overtime during the war, but this has now ended. He makes $33 a week 
 and they get $23 a month for the rent of their upstairs rooms. Mr. Andrews has 
 no insurance of any kind. He has two or three Liberty Bonds and a bank ac- 
 count, and belongs to the Trade Union League, which in case of illness would pay 
 a small benefit. 
 
 The Andrews want to take a little girl between five and eight years old. They 
 are not particular about her history. Mr. Andrews spoke in a very sensible way 
 
 [142] 
 
upon this subject. However, they would like to know the history of the child 
 whom they do take. They are willing to give the child a fair trial, but would, of 
 coiu-se, not wish to keep a child who did not appeal to them. Agent feels that a 
 little girl about five years old, affectionate, not unattractive, but not necessarily 
 a particularly intelligent child, would fit into this home. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews 
 would require an affectionate type of httle girl as they would probably be de- 
 monstrative with her. 
 
 Preparation for Placement. — Before Carohne was placed in the Andrews home, 
 the visitor — a different visitor, who made all the following visits — took her there 
 to call and to spend the afternoon. . . . Mr. Andrews came to the door and 
 seemed very glad to see Caroline. Caroline was behaving her best, and was very 
 sweet and shy. She shook hands very prettily with Mrs. Andrews, who greeted 
 her affectionately. Mrs. Andrews is very kind and motherly. Mr. Andrews 
 helped CaroUne take off her hat and coat, and then took her into the adjoining 
 room to see his canaries. Mrs. Andrews said immediately that no one could 
 help liking the little thing, that she was attracted to Caroline the second she saw 
 her. She could not understand how the other family (the Posts) could give her 
 up. She thought that it showed a great deal of selfishness. During this conver- 
 sation Mr. Andrews and CaroUne were having a wonderful time with the canaries. 
 CaroUne was delighted with them. She walked about the room admiring various 
 things, and this, of course, pleased Mr. Andrews. He was very gentle and kind 
 and is the sort of a man who would be very good to a child. He has a victrola 
 and a coUection of records of which he is very proud. He played a great many for 
 CaroUne, and she sang in a high clear voice. Mr. Andrews' eyes never left her 
 for an instant. When she went back to Mrs. Andrews Mrs. Andrews asked her 
 if she would Uke to stay. CaroUne said that she thought she should go home first, 
 but that she would like to come again. The Andrews are plain people, who would 
 not expect too much of her, but who will give her a great deal of affection and who 
 probably will admire her childish ways. The only thing to guard against is that 
 they might be over-indulgent. 
 
 Placement.— Feb. 8, '19. 
 
 Visit. — May 3, '19. Caroline was placed in the Andrews home. Agent had 
 an opportunity to talk with CaroUne a long time alone. She never mentioned 
 the Posts. She spoke of Mr. and Mrs. Andrews as "daddy" and "mother," 
 and is apparently perfectly at home with them. She has made some good 
 friends at school and on the block. Agent does not feel that the Andrews 
 expect as much of her as the Posts did. They are apparently satisfied that she 
 is developing normaUy. Mrs. Andrews was more than cordial. She said that 
 CaroUne is a good Uttle girl ordinarily, but she sometimes gets stubborn streaks. 
 She is having fractions in school now, and Mr. Andrews helps her in the evening. 
 She does not Uke this work and is often rather sulky about it. Her school report 
 last term was very good. Mrs. Andrews said that she did not know how she got 
 along before CaroUne came to her. 
 
 Visit. — June 24, '19. Mrs. Andrews called. She is anxious to take out adop- 
 tion papers as early as possible. She says that at first Caroline was quite obsti- 
 nate, that she refused help from Mr. Andrews in the evening with her school 
 work, and that she had crying spells. During one of these she told Mrs Andrews 
 that Mrs. Post had told her that her own mother was a drunkard. Mrs. Andrews 
 
 [143] 
 
said that this had apparently been in the child's mind for some time and that she 
 became quite hysterical about it. This touched Mrs. Andrews' heart, and she 
 feels quite bitterly toward Mrs. Post for telUng the child such a thing. She 
 denied the story up and down and told CaroUne that she was never to think of it 
 again. Another time, when a drunken man passed her house, Caroline said she 
 remembered seeing her father in that condition. Mrs. Andrews would prefer 
 that Carohne would not talk about these things and that she would forget them. 
 At the same time she reahzes that it may do the child good to feel free to talk, and 
 for this reason she does not stop her doing so. Caroline still shows a Uttle ob- 
 stinancy, and Mrs. Andrews feels that perhaps this is a good trait, as it may keep 
 her from temptation later on. Mrs. Andrews is a very motherly, warm-hearted 
 woman. 
 
 Visit. — Aug. 12, '19. The Andrews are immensely pleased with Caroline, and 
 think she improves every day. They cannot understand why the Posts gave her 
 up, because they think that the only faults she has are the natural faults of a 
 child. They say that she is absolutely truthful, clean-minded, and very sweet 
 tempered, and that on these few things they can build anything. She is appar- 
 ently very happy with them and they are proud of her. She is a Uttle slow at 
 times and stubborn, but they feel that she will outgrow this. CaroUne is de- 
 veloping very fast, looked perfectly well, and is apparently happy. Mrs. Andrews 
 thinks she wiU mature soon. She is going to tell Caroline all about it because 
 she thinks it wrong for young girls to be ignorant. 
 
 Note. — Oct. 6, '19. Mrs. Andrews caUed and brought a good school report. 
 
 Visit. — Jan. 2, '20. Caroline is doing very well indeed, and Mrs. Andrews 
 said that both she and her husband loved her as if she were their very own. Mrs. 
 Andrews could not say enough in praise of her. CaroUne has faults, of course, 
 but they are only natural ones, and she is not difficult to discipline. She takes 
 correction very sweetly, and is conscientiously trying to be a good girl. She is a 
 very friendly child, and the neighbors Uke her. She is getting on very well in 
 school and always brings home a good report. CaroUne spoke a piece for agent, 
 and accompanied it with little gestures which Mrs. Andrews said were original. 
 She seemed very proud of Caroline's abiUty. Caroline is growing rapidly, has a 
 good color, and apparently is in the best of health. She is adjusting admirably 
 to this home. Agent does not think that Mr. and Mrs. Andrews are at all senti- 
 mental. They are just natural, simple, unassuming people, who love CaroUne 
 whole heartedly and are not ashamed to show it. 
 
 Adoption Visit. — ^Apr. 17, '20. CaroUne was at home alone when agent arrived. 
 She was very agreeable and quite entertaining. Her remarks were spontaneous, 
 and she is undoubtedly perfectly happy. She is in 5-B grade, and told agent how 
 much she liked her school. She says that aU the children there are nice and she 
 has ever so many friends. She likes the Sunday school too, and has given a num- 
 ber of recitations at their various entertainments. Caroline told agent aU about 
 the new victrola records and how they are playing two each evening until they go 
 over aU of them. She goes to the store with Mr. Andrews the first of every month 
 to make his new selections, and apparently they enjoy these pilgrimages very 
 much indeed. CaroUne says that she loves it here and wants to belong to Mr. 
 and Mrs. Andrews completely. 
 
 Mrs. Andrews came in and was as sweet and cordial as ever. She sent CaroUne 
 to do some dusting while she and agent had a talk. She said that CaroUne is 
 
 [144] 
 
pretty good about helping, but is very slow. However, Mrs. Andrews feels de- 
 cidedly that she should have some training and so insists upon her doing something 
 every Saturday morning. The people in the neighborhood have accepted her 
 very naturally and kindly. The Andrews told them that she is a child of a friend 
 of theirs and no questions have been asked. Mrs. Andrews said that they could 
 never give her up, as they love her so much. She said that she often goes in and 
 looks at Caroline when she is asleep and wonders where her mother is and what 
 she is thinking. Caroline never talks about her past any more, and they are 
 hoping that it will gradually fade from her mind. Agent noticed that CaroUne 
 was singing as she worked, and Mrs. Andrews said that she was always like that. 
 She is sweet-tempered, generous and lovable. Agent asked Mrs. Andrews what 
 Caroline's attitude toward boys was. Agent particularly wanted to know, in view 
 of what Mrs. Post had said about this. Mrs. Andrews said that naturally CaroUne 
 likes some of the boys. There are two or three of them nearby with whom she and 
 the other little girls play. They want her to do this and think it would be a mis- 
 take for her not to. They often race home from school together at noon, and 
 everything is natural and unaffected. Mrs. Andrews had told Caroline to come 
 to her at any time that any one does or says anything that she does not under- 
 stand and feels that she has Caroline's confidence. 
 
 Agent has always been very favorably impressed with conditions in this home, 
 and thinks that Caroline could not be anywhere where she could be more happily 
 adjusted. Mrs. Andrews is as sweet and motherly as she can be, and her happi- 
 ness in having a Httle girl is really touching. 
 
 In the course of the adoption visit Mr. Andrews was also interviewed, and a 
 reference consulted who highly recommended adoption. Adoption was approved 
 following this visit. 
 
 The reason why Caroline was a success in this home, after proving 
 a failure in two others, is undoubtedly to be found not in any change 
 in the girl herself, but in the wholly different attitude of her foster 
 parents. In some ways the Andrews home might seem somewhat of a 
 come-down after the Post home; yet in spite of its obvious social and 
 educational inferiorities it was deliberately chosen as more suitable. 
 Doubtless Caroline will have fewer advantages socially and less men- 
 tal stimulus in this simple home; but the Andrews possess the one 
 essential quality, which neither the McMillans nor the Posts had — 
 that of genuine humanity. Their whole-hearted warmth in making 
 her at once a real part of their lives, their tolerance and understanding, 
 are the key to their success. They reaUze that she is "a little slow," 
 but her faults are "the natural faults of any child"; she sulks over 
 fractions, but that merely amuses them and they are satisfied with 
 her good school reports; they are proud of her, and "not ashamed to 
 show their affection for her." Nothing could differ more sharply from 
 
 [145] 
 
the restless, censorious attitude of the Posts. "Natural, simple, un- 
 assuming people,'^ with common sense and an instinct for human 
 relationships can be counted on to make a success where dozens of 
 more educated and intelligent people may make failures. One reason 
 for their success lies probably in their very natural, simple point of 
 view. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews wanted a child because they loved chil- 
 dren and had lost a daughter of their own. When the child came to 
 them she was accepted without question, and became at once their 
 own child. As far as they were concerned, the matter was settled. 
 One cannot help feeling about the Posts, on the other hand, that self- 
 ishness was a large ingredient in their attitude. They wanted a child 
 whose brilliance would shed light on their own reputation; they 
 wanted a child "to be a credit to them," not a child to love nor a child 
 to make happy. Mr. Post was troubled with a restless ambition 
 which made it impossible for him to be simple and natural in this rela- 
 tionship. Mr. Andrews, on the contrary, was comfortably settled in 
 his particular niche and not worried about the effect of Caroline's 
 development on his reputation. The Andrews expected "natural 
 faults" in a child, the Posts did not; Mrs. Post theorized about "the 
 backward child" and worried about CaroUne's intelligence; Mrs. 
 Andrews and her husband "loved her as if she were their very own." 
 
 146 
 
PUBLISHER'S NOTE 
 
 As has been said in the preface to this monograph, free foster home 
 provision is advisable for only a small proportion of the State's de- 
 pendent children. It has been necessary to work out other methods 
 of caring for the majority of dependent children. The plan of board- 
 ing such children in family homes is one of the most important of 
 these methods. Part II of this monograph, based on the work of the 
 Boston Children's Aid Society, will discuss the placement and super- 
 vision of children in boarding homes. 
 
 [147] 
 
INDEX 
 
 (Note: Proper names of children and foster homes appearing in illustrative cases will be found 
 listed under "Records") 
 
 Abandonment: investigation of, 23; 
 record of, 19; what constitutes, 11 
 
 Adjustment: between agent and foster 
 family, 99; between agent and child, 
 100; between child and foster family, 
 86; special problems of, 88 
 
 Adoption: advisability of, 105; ex- 
 plaining to foster parents, 37; of 
 children of bad heredity, 104; pro- 
 vision for child's future in cases of, 
 100; supervision of children after, 
 114; visit before, 102, 103 
 
 Agreements: regarding adoption of 
 children of bad history, 104; re- 
 garding supervision, 36; written, be- 
 tween agency and foster family, 36 
 
 Approved foster homes: analyses of, 
 44, 49; what constitutes, 35; see 
 also. Records 
 
 Case records: See Records 
 
 Child's family history: facts to be 
 secured, 15; inadequate investiga- 
 tion of, 23; informing foster parents 
 of, 67; reasons for thorough investi- 
 gation of, 13, 14; see also. Heredity, 
 Records 
 
 Church: See Religion 
 
 Community: attitude of toward child, 
 96; child's place in, 85 
 
 Court action: Children removed from 
 parents by, 12, 13 
 
 Disapproved foster homes : analyses of, 
 52, 58; reasons for disapproving, 60; 
 reasons for full investigation of, 59; 
 see also, Records 
 
 Discipline: Agency's part in, 88, 90, 
 92, 101; methods used by foster 
 family, 89 
 
 Doran, Mary S., 31 
 
 Doubtful foster homes : analysis of, 60 ; 
 records of, 61 
 
 Education: assisting children to se- 
 cure, 85; attitude of teachers toward 
 foster child, 96; case of special super- 
 vision of. 111; continuity in, 117; 
 need for supervision of, 85; school 
 reports, 86; subsidies for, 113 
 
 Examinations: mental, 15; physical, 
 15 
 
 Family history: See child's family his- 
 tory 
 
 Foster homes: types available, for 
 older children, 76; for younger chil- 
 dren, 40; see also. Approved, Dis- 
 approved, Doubtful foster homes 
 
 Health: attention to in supervision, 80; 
 pre-placement treatment, 17; state- 
 ment of in first investigation, 15; 
 see also. Physical examinations 
 
 Heredity: adoption of children of bad, 
 104; as a factor in child-placing, 26; 
 see also, Child's family history. Rec- 
 ords 
 
 "Improper guardianship": investiga- 
 tion of cases of, 12; see also. Court 
 action, Records 
 
 Indenture, 84 
 
 Institutions: as alternatives to foster 
 home care, 119; for special training, 
 118, 119 
 
 Legal status: Statement of child's, 15 
 
 Medical Care: See Health 
 
 Mental Examinations, 15 
 
 Moral protection: of older girls, 77, 81; 
 placement of boy and girl in one 
 home, 82 
 
 Neighborhood: Choice of in place- 
 ments, 38 
 
 Older children: advantages of simple 
 homes for, 76; amount of work ex- 
 pected of, 78; attitude of foster 
 family toward, 77; character of men 
 
 149 
 
in homes used for, 77; choosing 
 homes for, 76 ; records of supervision 
 of. 111, 120; school subsidies for, 
 113; sleeping arrangements for, 81; 
 supervision of , 113, 115; termination 
 of supervision, 1 14 ; supervision rec- 
 ords of, 72, 111, 120 
 
 Orphans: acceptance of, 13 
 
 Personality: as factor in investigation 
 of foster homes, 32; as factor in 
 supervision, 86, 90, 91, 92, 99, 100; 
 of agent, 79, 93; of child, 16, 90 
 
 Physical: care, see Health; examina- 
 tions, 15 
 
 Placement: of children of same family, 
 71; choosing the child, 66; choosing 
 the home, 65, consulting child's 
 preferences, 70; drawbacks of de- 
 layed, 65; meeting between child 
 and foster family, 67; preparing the 
 child, 70; preparing the foster fam- 
 ily, 67, 68; use of the "visiting 
 home," 67; see also. Older children. 
 Records 
 
 Pre-placement care, 16, 17 
 
 Public Officials: Co-operation with, 5; 
 court, 13; poor law, 11, 26, 72 
 
 Reception of children: See Child's 
 family history, Pre-placement care 
 
 Records: 
 
 Children's Histories: abandonment, 
 (Robert Campbell) 19; children of 
 abnormal parents, (Ruth Gibson) 
 27, (Richard Emmons) 28, (Clara 
 Michaels) 29; "improper guar- 
 dianship," (Catherine Tuttle) 24; 
 child of unmarried parents, (Cath- 
 erine Gordon) 17 
 
 Foster homes: approved, (Has- 
 brouck) 40, (Gregory) 46; disap- 
 proved, (Peters) 49, (Walker) 54, 
 (Gutmann) 61 ; used in placement 
 case, (Stone) 74; used in re-place- 
 ment cases, (Clark) 120, (Staple- 
 ton) 121, (Long) 123, (Stevens) 
 126, (Curtis) 127, (McMillan) 129, 
 (Post) 134, (Andrews) 142; used 
 in supervision cases, (Gould) 105, 
 (Morgan) 107, (Wilton) 111 
 
 Placement special : ( Juha Murray) 72 
 
 Re-placements: (Anna Nichols) 120, 
 (Robert and Henry Hale) 126, 
 (Caroline Turner) 129 
 
 Supervision: (baby, Edward) 105, 
 (Phihp and Helen Tucker) 107, 
 (Martha Dean) 111 
 
 Recreation: necessity for, 83; visitor's 
 part in planning, 84 
 
 References: character of, 45; impor- 
 tance of interviewing, 44, 45, 58, 59; 
 interviewed following visit at foster 
 home, 45; supervision visits to, 97; 
 value of written, 54, 58, 59; visiting 
 before adoption, 103 
 
 Religion: agreement with foster fam- 
 ily concerning, 36 ; as factor in super- 
 vision, 80, 85; placement according 
 to, 5 
 
 Re-placements: attitude of children 
 toward, 116; continuity of school 
 work in, 1 17 ; effect on children of, 1 19 ; 
 see also Records 
 
 Reynolds, Bertha C, 31 
 
 School: See Education 
 
 Self-support: attainment of, 114, 115; 
 preparation for, 84, 85 
 
 Separating children of one family, 71 
 
 Sleeping arrangements: See Moral 
 protection 
 
 Sources from which children are re- 
 ceived, 13 
 
 Spending money, 85 
 
 State: relation of Association to, 5; 
 see also, PubHc officials 
 
 Supervision: See Adjustment, Person- 
 ahty. Visits after placement 
 
 Teachers: see Education 
 
 Temporary care, 16, 17, 65, 66 
 
 Tests: intelligence, see Examinations; 
 see also. Venereal disease 
 
 Unmarried parents: assistance to, 12 
 
 Unsuccessful placements: Causes of, 
 33; see also Re-placements 
 
 Venereal disease: examinations for, 15 
 
 "Visiting homes": use of, 29, 67 
 
 Visits after placement: continuity of, 
 100; facts to be obtained, 80 seq.; 
 frequency of, 79; interviews with 
 children, 100; interviews with foster 
 fathers, 88; references, 97; teachers, 
 96; termination of, 114; time of, 95; 
 type of, 93, 94; see also. Adjust- 
 ments, Adoption, PersonaUty 
 
 Wages: adjustment of, 83, 84 
 
 Work: amount, 83; opportunities for, 
 84; overwork, 83; payment for, 84; 
 type of, 84 
 
 [150 
 
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 BIdg. 400, Richmond Field Station 
 University of California 
 Richmond, CA 94804-4698 
 
 ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS 
 2-month loans may be renewed by calling 
 
 (415) 642-6753 
 1-year loans may be recharged by bringing books 
 
 to NRLF 
 Renewals and recharges may be made 4 days 
 
 prior to due date 
 
 DUE AS STAMPED BELOW 
 
 JUN4 199Z 
 
 Mr 
 
 7 1992 
 
VC 394 1 ( 
 
 ^^^&B' HV 
 
 T5 
 
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 THE UNIVERSITY OF CAUFORNIA UBRARY