The Dangerous Classes of New York, and Twenty Years' Work Among Them

This work examines the social origins and remedies for an urban dangerous class composed chiefly of neglected, illiterate, and homeless children and youth in New York. After a historical sketch of early Christian charity and past practices toward abandoned children, the author analyzes causes of juvenile crime—overcrowding, intemperance, weakened family ties, immigration, and ignorance—and the environmental role of lodging-houses and dens of vice. He recounts two decades of preventive experiments and institutions: education and industrial training, improved lodging and recreation, temperance efforts, and organized placement of destitute children in rural homes, arguing prevention is preferable to punishment and presenting practical principles and results.