Race, Foster Care, and the Politics of Abandonment in New York City

American Journal of Public Health

Volumn 87, Issue 11, 1997, Pages 1844-1849

  Rosner, David ^a,c   Markowitz, Gerald ^b  

^a Och Spine at New York Presbyterian Hospitals   (United States)

^b JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE   (United States)

^c SMS ^*  (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ADOLESCENT; AFRICAN AMERICAN; ARTICLE; CHILD; CHILD WELFARE; FEMALE; FOSTER CARE; HISTORY; HUMAN; MALE; SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY; UNITED STATES;

ADOLESCENT; AFRICAN AMERICANS; CHILD; CHILD WELFARE; CHILD, ABANDONED; FEMALE; FOSTER HOME CARE; HISTORY, 20TH CENTURY; HUMANS; MALE; NEW YORK CITY; PREJUDICE;

EID: 0031280345     PISSN: 00900036     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.87.11.1844     Document Type: Article

References (64)

1. "D. C. Foster Care Workers Tell of Horrors," Washington Post, 12 February 1991, A1; "Foster Care System Reeling," New York Times, 21 September 1990, A1; "Troubled Children Flood Ill-Prepared Foster Care System," New York Times, 8 September 1992, A1.
2. "D. C. Foster Care Workers Tell of Horrors," Washington Post, 12 February 1991, A1; "Foster Care System Reeling," New York Times, 21 September 1990, A1; "Troubled Children Flood Ill-Prepared Foster Care System," New York Times, 8 September 1992, A1.
3. "D. C. Foster Care Workers Tell of Horrors," Washington Post, 12 February 1991, A1; "Foster Care System Reeling," New York Times, 21 September 1990, A1; "Troubled Children Flood Ill-Prepared Foster Care System," New York Times, 8 September 1992, A1.
4. See, for example, David Handelman, "The New Lost Generation, Children of AIDS Patients," Vogue, April 1993, 378-383; "Orphaned by AIDS," Psychology Today, May/June 1993, 18; Mary Farrell, Cynthia Sanz, and Susan Reed, "Life after Death, Mothers with AIDS Worry about the Fate of Their Children," People Weekly, 12 July 1993, 32-39; William M. Welch, "Gingrich: 'Boys Town' Proves Point," USA Today, 5 December 1994, 1; "First Lady Assails Orphanage Plan," New York Times, 1 December 1994, 28.
5. See, for example, David Handelman, "The New Lost Generation, Children of AIDS Patients," Vogue, April 1993, 378-383; "Orphaned by AIDS," Psychology Today, May/June 1993, 18; Mary Farrell, Cynthia Sanz, and Susan Reed, "Life after Death, Mothers with AIDS Worry about the Fate of Their Children," People Weekly, 12 July 1993, 32-39; William M. Welch, "Gingrich: 'Boys Town' Proves Point," USA Today, 5 December 1994, 1; "First Lady Assails Orphanage Plan," New York Times, 1 December 1994, 28.
6. See, for example, David Handelman, "The New Lost Generation, Children of AIDS Patients," Vogue, April 1993, 378-383; "Orphaned by AIDS," Psychology Today, May/June 1993, 18; Mary Farrell, Cynthia Sanz, and Susan Reed, "Life after Death, Mothers with AIDS Worry about the Fate of Their Children," People Weekly, 12 July 1993, 32-39; William M. Welch, "Gingrich: 'Boys Town' Proves Point," USA Today, 5 December 1994, 1; "First Lady Assails Orphanage Plan," New York Times, 1 December 1994, 28.
7. See, for example, David Handelman, "The New Lost Generation, Children of AIDS Patients," Vogue, April 1993, 378-383; "Orphaned by AIDS," Psychology Today, May/June 1993, 18; Mary Farrell, Cynthia Sanz, and Susan Reed, "Life after Death, Mothers with AIDS Worry about the Fate of Their Children," People Weekly, 12 July 1993, 32-39; William M. Welch, "Gingrich: 'Boys Town' Proves Point," USA Today, 5 December 1994, 1; "First Lady Assails Orphanage Plan," New York Times, 1 December 1994, 28.
8. See, for example, David Handelman, "The New Lost Generation, Children of AIDS Patients," Vogue, April 1993, 378-383; "Orphaned by AIDS," Psychology Today, May/June 1993, 18; Mary Farrell, Cynthia Sanz, and Susan Reed, "Life after Death, Mothers with AIDS Worry about the Fate of Their Children," People Weekly, 12 July 1993, 32-39; William M. Welch, "Gingrich: 'Boys Town' Proves Point," USA Today, 5 December 1994, 1; "First Lady Assails Orphanage Plan," New York Times, 1 December 1994, 28.
9. See, for important discussions of the history of children and social welfare policies, Linda Gordon, Pitied but Not Entitled: Single Mothers and the History of Welfare (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1995); Theda Skocpol, Protecting Soldiers and Mothers: The Political Origins of Social Policy in the United States (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1992); Michael Katz, Improving Poor People: The Welfare State, The "Underclass," and Urban Schools as History (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1995); David and Sheila Rothman, The Willowbrook Wars (New York, N.Y.: Basic Books, 1984); Anthony Platt, The Child Savers: The Invention of Delinquency (Chicago, Ill.: University of Chicago Press, 1969); and Robert Bremner, From the Depths: The Discovery of Poverty in the United States (New York, N.Y.: New York University Press, 1956), among others.
10. See, for important discussions of the history of children and social welfare policies, Linda Gordon, Pitied but Not Entitled: Single Mothers and the History of Welfare (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1995); Theda Skocpol, Protecting Soldiers and Mothers: The Political Origins of Social Policy in the United States (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1992); Michael Katz, Improving Poor People: The Welfare State, The "Underclass," and Urban Schools as History (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1995); David and Sheila Rothman, The Willowbrook Wars (New York, N.Y.: Basic Books, 1984); Anthony Platt, The Child Savers: The Invention of Delinquency (Chicago, Ill.: University of Chicago Press, 1969); and Robert Bremner, From the Depths: The Discovery of Poverty in the United States (New York, N.Y.: New York University Press, 1956), among others.
11. See, for important discussions of the history of children and social welfare policies, Linda Gordon, Pitied but Not Entitled: Single Mothers and the History of Welfare (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1995); Theda Skocpol, Protecting Soldiers and Mothers: The Political Origins of Social Policy in the United States (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1992); Michael Katz, Improving Poor People: The Welfare State, The "Underclass," and Urban Schools as History (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1995); David and Sheila Rothman, The Willowbrook Wars (New York, N.Y.: Basic Books, 1984); Anthony Platt, The Child Savers: The Invention of Delinquency (Chicago, Ill.: University of Chicago Press, 1969); and Robert Bremner, From the Depths: The Discovery of Poverty in the United States (New York, N.Y.: New York University Press, 1956), among others.
12. See, for important discussions of the history of children and social welfare policies, Linda Gordon, Pitied but Not Entitled: Single Mothers and the History of Welfare (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1995); Theda Skocpol, Protecting Soldiers and Mothers: The Political Origins of Social Policy in the United States (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1992); Michael Katz, Improving Poor People: The Welfare State, The "Underclass," and Urban Schools as History (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1995); David and Sheila Rothman, The Willowbrook Wars (New York, N.Y.: Basic Books, 1984); Anthony Platt, The Child Savers: The Invention of Delinquency (Chicago, Ill.: University of Chicago Press, 1969); and Robert Bremner, From the Depths: The Discovery of Poverty in the United States (New York, N.Y.: New York University Press, 1956), among others.
13. See, for important discussions of the history of children and social welfare policies, Linda Gordon, Pitied but Not Entitled: Single Mothers and the History of Welfare (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1995); Theda Skocpol, Protecting Soldiers and Mothers: The Political Origins of Social Policy in the United States (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1992); Michael Katz, Improving Poor People: The Welfare State, The "Underclass," and Urban Schools as History (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1995); David and Sheila Rothman, The Willowbrook Wars (New York, N.Y.: Basic Books, 1984); Anthony Platt, The Child Savers: The Invention of Delinquency (Chicago, Ill.: University of Chicago Press, 1969); and Robert Bremner, From the Depths: The Discovery of Poverty in the United States (New York, N.Y.: New York University Press, 1956), among others.
14. See, for important discussions of the history of children and social welfare policies, Linda Gordon, Pitied but Not Entitled: Single Mothers and the History of Welfare (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1995); Theda Skocpol, Protecting Soldiers and Mothers: The Political Origins of Social Policy in the United States (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1992); Michael Katz, Improving Poor People: The Welfare State, The "Underclass," and Urban Schools as History (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1995); David and Sheila Rothman, The Willowbrook Wars (New York, N.Y.: Basic Books, 1984); Anthony Platt, The Child Savers: The Invention of Delinquency (Chicago, Ill.: University of Chicago Press, 1969); and Robert Bremner, From the Depths: The Discovery of Poverty in the United States (New York, N.Y.: New York University Press, 1956), among others.
15. See, for examples, T. A. LaVeist, "Segregation, Poverty and Empowerment: Health Consequences for African-Americans," Milbank Quarterly 71(1993):41-64; A. P. Polednek "Poverty, Residential Segregation, and Black/White Mortality Ratios in Urban Areas," Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 4 (1993):363-373.
16. See, for examples, T. A. LaVeist, "Segregation, Poverty and Empowerment: Health Consequences for African-Americans," Milbank Quarterly 71(1993):41-64; A. P. Polednek "Poverty, Residential Segregation, and Black/White Mortality Ratios in Urban Areas," Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 4 (1993):363-373.
17. New York City Department of Welfare, Summary of the Report on Need and Facilities for Foster Care of Children in New York [n.d., circa 1949], Citizens' Committee for Children (hereafter CCC) Manuscripts, New York.
18. William Hudson, Address, Annual Luncheon Conference of the Welfare Council's Section on Dependent Children, 3 March 1936, Polier Manuscripts, carton 2, "Discrimination and Segregation: Racial and Religious, 1936-74."
19. "The Placement of Negro Children by Protestant Child-Caring Agencies, 1940-1951," 8 January 1952, Polier Manuscripts, carton 2, "Discrimination and Segregation."
20. Justine Wise Polier, Memorandum, 11 January 1940, Polier Manuscripts, carton 2, "Racial Discrimination - 1938-1949." Polier was quoting from an article by James Hubert that had appeared in Social Work Today in 1937.
21. Justine Wise Polier, Memorandum, 11 January 1940, Polier Manuscripts, carton 2, "Racial Discrimination - 1938-1949." Polier was quoting from an article by James Hubert that had appeared in Social Work Today in 1937.
22. Justine Wise Polier, Report of the Child Welfare Commission, Union for Democratic Action, 1946, CCC Manuscripts: Mental Health File.
23. Robert Fogelson and Richard E. Rubinstein, eds., The Complete Report of Mayor LaGuardia's Commission on the Harlem Riot of March 19, 1935 (New York: ARNO Press and New York Times, 1969). Anthony M. Platt, in E. Franklin Frazier Reconsidered, (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1991), 246, footnote 10, explains that this report was originally authored by E. Franklin Frazier.
24. Robert Fogelson and Richard E. Rubinstein, eds., The Complete Report of Mayor LaGuardia's Commission on the Harlem Riot of March 19, 1935 (New York: ARNO Press and New York Times, 1969). Anthony M. Platt, in E. Franklin Frazier Reconsidered, (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1991), 246, footnote 10, explains that this report was originally authored by E. Franklin Frazier.
25. Frazier, The Complete Report, 63.
26. Justine Wise Polier, Memorandum, 11 January. 1940, Polier Manuscripts, carton 2, "Racial Discrimination."
27. Committee on Institutions, Domestic Relations Court of the City of New York, "Manual of Institution Facilities," July 1939, Polier Manuscripts, carton 2, "Family Court."
28. Justine Wise Polier, Memorandum to the Mayor, 19 July 1938, Polier Manuscripts, carton 2, "Discrimination and Segregation." See also Joint Committee on Negro Child Study, New York City, 1927.
29. Justine Wise Polier, Memorandum to the Mayor, 19 July 1938, Polier Manuscripts, carton 2, "Discrimination and Segregation." See also Joint Committee on Negro Child Study, New York City, 1927.
30. Polier, Memorandum to the Mayor. See also Joint Committee on Negro Child Study.
31. Polier, Memorandum to the Mayor. See also Joint Committee on Negro Child Study.
32. City-Wide Citizens' Committee on Harlem, Tentative Report of the Sub-Committee on Crime and Delinquency, 8 June 1942, Polier Manuscripts, box 36, folder 443; see also "Race Bias Seen Key to Harlem Crime," New York Times, 2 August 1942.
33. City-Wide Citizens' Committee on Harlem, Tentative Report of the Sub-Committee on Crime and Delinquency, 8 June 1942, Polier Manuscripts, box 36, folder 443; see also "Race Bias Seen Key to Harlem Crime," New York Times, 2 August 1942.
34. City-Wide Citizens' Committee on Harlem, Suggested Summary of Highlights of Crime and Delinquency Committee's Report, 1942, Bernard Manuscripts, Racism box.
35. Gerald Markowitz and David Rosner, Children, Race and Power: Kenneth and Mamie Clark's Northside Center (Charlottesville, Va.: 1996); City-Wide Committee on Harlem, Suggested Summary. Mimeo.
36. Crystal M. Potter, "The Institutional Care of Negro Children in New York City" (paper delivered at the National Conference of Social Work, Buffalo, N.Y., May 1946).
37. "Inmates of Five Welfare Institutions to Be Removed Because of Commissioner Hodson's Race Bias Charges," New York Times, 30 October 1942, 21.
38. New York City Department of Welfare, Summary of the Report.
39. Potter, "Institutional Care."
40. Ibid.
41. Commissioner Leo Arnstein to Mayor LaGuardia, 26 August 1943, quoted in Leonard V. Harrison, "Facilities for the Care of Dependent and Neglected Children in New York City," 26 November 1945, CCC Manuscripts.
42. Potter, "Institutional Care."
43. City-Wide Citizens' Committee on Harlem, Tentative Report.
44. "11 Boys Are Jailed in S.P.C.C. Outbreak," New York Times, 8 October 1943, 21.
45. "The 'Black Book' of Children's Punishment," PM, 23 January 1944, 12.
46. "Temporary Care of Children in New York City," 1 February 1948, CCC Manuscripts.
47. W. Bruce Cobb, Acting Presiding Justice, to Robert T. Lansdale, New York State Commissioner of Social Welfare, 24 November 1943, Polier Manuscripts, box 26, folder 331.
48. W. Bruce Cobb, Memorandum on Shelter Detention Pending Final Court Disposition or Transfer to Institution of Commitment from the Children's Court, 4 June 1945, Polier Manuscripts, box 25, folder 305.
49. Ibid.
50. Ibid.
51. Polier, Report of the Child Welfare Commission.
52. CCC, "The Urgent Need for Public Foster-Care Facilities," 4 October 1955, Kenneth B. Clark Manuscripts, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress.
53. CCC, Draft Memorandum on Discrimination and Child Care Service in New York City, 3 September 1963, Polier Manuscripts, carton 2, "Discrimination and Segregation."
54. James R. Dumpson, "Discrimination in Welfare Service with Special Reference to Child Welfare," in Algernon D. Black, Kenneth Clark, and James R. Dumpson, Ethical Frontiers, The City's Children and the Challenge of Racial Discrimination (New York: Society for Ethical Culture, 1958), 24-25.
55. CCC, Draft Memorandum on Discrimination.
56. For example, the Pride of Judea, a foster care service, was originally located in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn. When the neighborhood became increasingly African American, the Pride reorganized as a psychoanalytically oriented mental health outpatient clinic and moved to a predominantly White, wealthy community on the New York City-Nassau County border.
57. Polier to Mitchell Ginsberg, 17 March 1966, Polier Manuscripts, box 41, folder 494.
58. CCC, Draft Memorandum on Discrimination.
59. Plaintiffs Exhibit 241, Deposition of Marie Laufer, 21 November 1973, 19 (1.2), 20 (1.18), United States District Court, Southern District of New York, Wilder v. Sugarman.
60. Justine Wise Polier to Jule Sugarman, 6 July 1971, Polier Manuscripts, carton 1, "Discrimination" folder.
61. Plaintiffs Exhibit 254, Deposition of the New York Foundling Hospital by Sister Marian Cecilia Schneider, 8 July 1976, 33, United States District Court, Southern District of New York, Wilder v. Sugarman.
62. Project "C," Draft, August 1972, Polier Manuscripts, box 26, folder 325.
63. Project Plan Paper for MARC Staff Study and Recommendations on "The Disposition of Minority Group Children in Need of Placement and/or Services by Public and Private Agencies in New York City," Kenneth Clark Manuscripts, box 20, Manuscripts Division, Library of Congress.
64. "Foster Placement by Skin Shade Is Charged," New York Times, 18 January 1990, B1.