Orphan Trains

Question

B. Haq

Introduction

In the 1850s, thousands of children lived on the streets of New York City. They had become homeless due to many reasons. For some, it was the death of their parents and the absence of extended family to care for them. For others, wretched poverty, parental neglect, or abandonment by poor European immigrants was why they ended up being homeless.

The Orphan Train Movement
Very few orphanages existed at that time. They were usually overcrowded, and the children received minimal food and care. Very often, the children received little or no education in orphanages.
The Orphan Train Movement Timeline

A young minister, Charles L. Brace, was the first to take heed of the plight of homeless youngsters. In 1853, he established the Children’s Aid Society to help these children. Two other institutions, supported by wealthy donors, also stepped forward to help homeless children. They proposed placing these children with foster families throughout the fifty states. The idea was to transport them on trains to other states where they will be taken in by families and given a home. Later, the plan came to be known as the Orphan Train Movement.

Orphan Train, 1904

The Role of Railroads
The network of railroads played a vital role in the movement. Without the network, this plan would not have come to realization, much less conceived. An essential aspect of the plan was to find homes in rural areas where the children would find a clean environment and healthy food. The trains were able to reach far off places to find homes for children and went as far as Canada and Mexico.

Challenges Faced by the Movement
Despite the organizers’ good intentions, the movement faced a host of problems from the get-go. Often, the journey from New York to the destination was quite uncomfortable for the children. They were not told where they were being taken to and for what purpose. Many journeys were several days long.

Most children were taken to the Midwest. Flyers were distributed in towns

Orphan Train Flyer
ahead of the train arrival. Upon reaching the destination, children were put up on a stage for adults to view and choose them. No legal paperwork was involved.

Families were expected to treat the children like their own. Many children found loving families who cherished them. But for many others, the journey didn’t end on a happy note. Sometimes, siblings were separated because the family didn’t want them all. Some people only came looking for an extra pair of hands to help with chores on their farm.

The End
The movement, spanning 75 years, ended in 1929. More than 200,000 orphans and homeless children found new homes during this time. Brace is considered a pioneer for modern-day foster care programs.
Question
Which claim about the Orphan Train Movement is most strongly challenged with evidence?
Responses
A “More than 200,000 orphans and homeless children found new homes during this time.” (paragraph 8)“More than 200,000 orphans and homeless children found new homes during this time.” (paragraph 8)
B “Very few orphanages existed at that time.” (paragraph 2)“Very few orphanages existed at that time.” (paragraph 2)
C “They proposed placing these children with foster families throughout the fifty states.” (paragraph 3)“They proposed placing these children with foster families throughout the fifty states.” (paragraph 3)
D “Families were expected to treat the children like their own.” (paragraph 7)

Answer 1

The claim most strongly challenged with evidence is:

D “Families were expected to treat the children like their own.” (paragraph 7)

This claim is challenged by the evidence presented in the following sentences that describe the experiences of children after being placed with families. Specifically, it mentions that while some children found loving families, others were not treated well and were sometimes only sought for their ability to help with chores. Additionally, the separation of siblings suggests that not all families were inclined to treat the children with kindness or care. Thus, the evidence indicates that the expectation of families treating the children as their own was not universally met.