Page 6 - The Privilege of Caring

Adoption: A A “Perfect” Solution for Dependent Children and Childless Couples
Rhode Island was an an early pioneer in in adoption with the passage of a a a a a a a a a a a a a a law in in 1866 that allowed residents to to petition probate court to to adopt adopt a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a child child with the the the the the consent of of his guardian If the the the the the child child was was dependent or deserted a a a a a a a a a a a a “next friend” was was appointed by the the the the the the the the court court to review the the the the the the the the facts of of of the the the the the the the the case and consult with the the the the the court court on on on the the the the the advisability of the the the the the adoption At the the the close of the the the 19th century adoption emerged as the the the “ideal” solution for for for children children in fin in in care Child welfare reformers believed that finding loving homes for for for needy children children was the the best of of of all all possible worlds Part of of of the the so-called golden age of of of of childhood (and child child child child welfare) this movement embraced the the sentimentalization of of children seeing them as as innocents not as burdens Particularly championed by the the middle classes the the idea that it was children children who made a a a a a a a a a a household a a a a a a a a a a home placed a a a a a a a a a a high value on on adoption Childless couples eagerly sought young children children in the care of child child child welfare agencies Here we see two cases of this work done by RISPCC In 1926 the General Assembly required home studies court hearings and and trial visits for prospective adoptive placements and and authorized RISPCC to conduct these 5 Jolly Little Fellow
Adopted