ORPHAN TRAIN Meaning and
Definition
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An "orphan train" refers to a historical system of relocating orphaned, abandoned, or homeless children from densely populated urban areas to rural communities in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term primarily refers to the organized efforts of benevolent societies or child welfare organizations that aimed to provide these youth with better opportunities for care, education, and employment.
The orphan train movement emerged as a response to the growing number of homeless children resulting from urbanization, poverty, and the aftermath of the Civil War. It sought to address the dire circumstances faced by these vulnerable children by transporting them, typically by train, to rural areas where families willing to care for them could be found. Upon arrival, the children would be gathered and presented to local communities, often church congregations, who would then select and adopt the children based on various factors such as their physical appearance, skills, and age.
While aimed at providing a fresh start for these children, the orphan train system received mixed reactions. It was seen by some as a form of rescue and an opportunity for a better life, offering children a chance to escape harsh living conditions and find stability. However, critics argued that the system was inadequate in providing detailed follow-up care, leading to the potential exploitation or abuse of some children.
The orphan train movement largely concluded by the 1930s due to changing perceptions towards child welfare practices and the establishment of more formalized methods of foster care and adoption.
Etymology of ORPHAN TRAIN
The word "orphan train" originated in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It refers to a particular historical phenomenon, where children who were orphaned or abandoned in the crowded, industrialized cities of the East Coast were placed on trains and sent westward to find families who would adopt or house them.
The term "orphan train" itself is derived from the combination of "orphan", which means a child whose parents have died or abandoned them, and "train", which refers to the mode of transportation used to relocate these children. The practice of sending orphaned or abandoned children via trains started in 1854 as part of the Orphan Train Movement, also known as the Children's Aid Society Movement. This movement aimed to address the huge number of destitute children in urban areas by placing them with families in rural communities.
