Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-11-06
Good and Bad Methods in Placing
5. Out Work with Special Reference to
Placing Out Opportunities in the
+ Rural Districts OF Maine"

5. Out Work with Special Reference to
Placing Out Opportunities in the
!. Rural Districts OF Maine"
= ''se-a sGFreaerick III. Knight y ,fssz1r
+. The subject of this paper is good
and bad methods in placing out work.
"Inasmuch as methods are so close
iS connected with opportunities, it may
be well to consider this latter phase of
the subject, even though we have to
sacrifice somewhat the larger subject
suggested
Good placing-out methods are me-
eessary. that sreal opportunities for
placing children may be discovered.
and that the children may be well
cared for after placement he test of
all methods must ever be the results
actually attained. There must be some
accurate way of asceTtaining accu-
rately the results of plaeingout work.
"a placing-out opportunity reduced
to it's lowest terms is Il good family
residing upon good premises in a good
neignborhood which is q part of a
good community; and of course, such
family living under all the circum-
stances indicated, which is willing to
receive one or more children into its
care.
"Geod placing out methods discover
good homes, place the right children
in them. and properly supervise the
children when so placed.
The content Of the word good" as
here used is determined by the rigid
and skiliful application of certain tests.
These tests must be applied alike to
the four items mentioned; namely, the
family, the premises, the neiShbor-
hood and the community. SO far as the
discussion of this hour is concerned,
these tests are suggested ny tour
words: Employment, recreation. health
land education. til
THE list might be extended to include
accessibility, and what is of extreme
| Importance. moral and spiritual we'll
being But the list as given will prob
ably be sufficiently long to consume
| all the time at our disposal.
These tests OF employment. recrea-
ton, health and education are time
honored and thoroughly approved and
| it is not conceivable that any better
need be devised.
| Good piacing-out methods recognize
these tests anu ueIndnu llitt SNSiy oiA>
of them shall be fully satisfied.
THE results either actually attained
or to be reasonably expected in the he
land character of the child show the
validity of the tests, the significance
of the term opportunity" and the
quality of the methods used.
| What has Eeen the history of the
lchild in this home thus far, il he Is
placed in it. or what may be confident'
" expect his career to be. If he shall pt
placed in it, are the two questions
whose answer determines the fitness
lor the unfitness of the placement, OF
1.-THE opportunity or lack of 1t offered by
the home in question, and the quaint!
of the methods employed.
1T is quite possible to ascertain TN
results naturally produced in a chlid
life and character when the placemen
lis of some months or years standihs
land if the placement is proposed
lone, it is also perfectly possible for
lsocial worker of skill and experience
Ito forecast results with good degree
Iof accuracy.
I'VE shall have time, today, merei.
Ito suggest the lines along which III
discussion might well proceed. w
Ishall not have time to carry on tn
full discussion itself.