Excerpt from Sophie van Senden Theis, How Foster Children Turn Out, 1924

SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT

Distribution of Subjects Whose Capability Was Known

Social Adjustment

Number of Subjects
Per Cent Distribution
Capable

615

77.2

Incapable

182

22.8

Harmless

89

11.1

Harmful

47

6.0

“On Trial”

26

3.2

In institutions

20

2.5

Total Known

797

100.0

 

Six hundred and fifteen or 77.2% of the 797 subjects whose general ability was known are “capable” persons. They have proved themselves able to manage their own affairs with average common sense, to keep pace economically with their neighbors, and to earn the respect and good will of their communities. In other words, these subjects have “made good.” . . .

One hundred and eighty-two or 22.8%, are rated “incapable”. For one reason or another they did not get on. Some of them have mental or physical handicaps which interfered with their ability to get along without help and protection. Others have qualities of resourcefulness, energy and foresight to so slight a degree that they could not keep their footing if thrown on their own. Still others have demonstrated their inability or their unwillingness to conform to accepted standards of morality or order. . . .

   
 

Source: Sophie van Senden Theis, How Foster Children Turn Out, (New York: State Charities Aid Association, 1924), 25-26.

Page Updated: 2-24-2012
Site designed by:

 
To learn more about The Adoption History Project, please contact Ellen Herman
Department of History, University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403-1288
(541) 346-3699
E-mail: adoption@uoregon.edu
About the Project and the Author
© Ellen Herman