Use the passage from Jacob Riis's How the Other Half Lives to answer the question.

Question

"The very games at which he takes a hand in the street become polluting in its atmosphere. With no steady hand to guide him, the boy takes naturally to idle ways." - Jacob Riis
What was Jacob Riis referring to in this passage?
(1 point)
• the pollution found in the streets of New York
• the lack of playgrounds for children living in slums
• the dangers of factory work for children in big cities
• the dangers of truancy for young boys in the slums

Answer 1

In the passage, Jacob Riis is referring to the lack of playgrounds for children living in slums. He highlights the negative influence of the environment on children's behavior and development, suggesting that without proper guidance and facilities, boys in the streets are led to idle and potentially harmful ways.