The endurance of foster care values: A comparison of modern and Progressive Era child welfare rhetoric and practice

The purpose of this study was to analyze the beginnings of the foster care system between the years of 1890 and 1920, with the hopes that it can provide insight and understanding to the modern foster care system and the challenges it faces. The study also expanded to include the investigation and comparison of other child welfare values such as a belief in family preservation, use of child removal as intervention, and the emphasis on child safety in both the modern and Progressive eras. Special emphasis was placed on the changes (or lack of changes) in theory, policy, practice, and worker attitudes surrounding these specific child welfare values. The results of the study highlight that although some major changes have been made in child welfare since the Progressive Era, some things have stayed the same, resulting in detrimental conditions for the system and its clients.