The initial years of settlement and establishing lives in America were very crucial because they involved moving of businesses, families and establishment of homes from Europe into America. At that time, the major danger rose from the poorer class that was allegedly responsible for lawlessness in the country. The reason was that many children from the homes of these families were exposed to a danger of become criminals, thieves, and roaming aimlessly at night without any check on them. As families could not keep a check on them, these children were sent to wealthier homes for apprenticeship. Children coming from poorer homes into America from Europe were being enslaved and the situation aggravated when the African American population began migrating into the country leading to a vast amount of children becoming subject to slave trading. The same was happening to the neglected, Native American children. There was even little but given evidence that children were to be put to death if they disobeyed or hit their parents. Children worked in factories and industries forming a major part of the labor force. John Griscom, Thomas Eddy, and John Pintard were the leaders of the movement for the House of Refuge. They upheld the goal and ambition that the moral health of the society was very important, and it was the reason behind the success of any community. Thus, they wanted to help and prevent any deviant people in the society and bring them to embrace moral righteousness and turn them into assets rather than liabilities. (Chambliss, 2011).
If such children were present today, then we would hand them over to authorities that would educate them, firstly, and counsel them on improving their actions and behavior. They could do community service as well. To prevent child abuse and protect them, the federal government passed a law CAPTA in 1974, renewed in 2010, is the most effective legislation that protects children from all cases of abuse and encourages reporting their cases. (Darkness to Light, 2015).
References
Chambliss, J. William. (2011).”Juvenile Crime and Justice.” Sage Publications. Retrieved from
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/25950593/chapter-3-the-historical-legacy-of-juvenile-sage-publications
Darkness to Light. (2015). “Child Abuse Protection Laws.” Retrieved from
http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.8015209/k.95B3/Child_Abuse_Protection_Laws.htm
