Care for the little ones: two- and four-legged The latter half of the 19th century may be marked by an increasing social consciousness of children's rights. Recognition catalyzed reformation, giving way to the child welfare and child labor movements, as well as the rise of pediatrics and improvements in healthcare for children — exemplified by the mission of organizations like The Floating Hospital. These motions were all united under the growing awareness that attending to kids and their families was good for society. Those down with the cause — largely religious groups and the wealthy — offered financial support, established care organizations, and lobbied for child protection and development laws. On the cruelty prevention front, child welfare reformers took some of their cues from those advocating to protect animals. Following founding the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1866, the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was founded in 1874. It was the first society devoted exclusively to protecting children against physical abuse, exploitation, exposure, and neglect. The trend toward protecting children and animals increased rapidly, reaching 250 societies by the end of the century. Read more about the fight to protect children. |
