Child Savers During The Progressive Era

The Progressive era brought about drastic change for America. (Elrod & Ryder, 2014). With the urban areas of the us becoming saturated with Irish and Germans, and other immigrants from Eastern Europe coming to America two problems developed crime and youth waywardness. Criminal laws were used on those juveniles who committed crimes however, minor offenses left the courts with few options as consequences.

As a result, reformers sought better ways of controlling the youth. (Elrod & Ryder, 2014). These "Child Savers" sought to reform jail and reformatory conditions, but soon turned their efforts towards developing a better means for controlling the growing population of troubled youths. They focused on extending government control over children

through stricter supervision and improved legal mechanisms designed to regulate their behavior. These interventions were intended to uplift and control the children and should be performed by government agencies, courts, police agencies, and other local charitable organizations.

Another concern for the "child savers" was the placement of children in jail. (Elrod & Ryder, 2014). They were perplexed with the condition within the jail and that adult courts failed to meet the appropriate punishments for the transgressions of the young people. Often times leading to the children corrupted by more harden criminals or let go without receiving any assistance.

Because of the courts inability to correctly deal with youths the juvenile court system was invented. But am a proponent of today's juvenile courts? Yes, we all know our criminal justice system is flawed. However, doing something is better than doing nothing. The system could definitely be improved. By improving community and parent involvement, treating children like children, and ending racial and ethical inequality we can start to change this system. (Lash, 2012). Other methods we could use include matching remedy to risk, funding what works, and equal justice for all. There is no magic save all for the systems but these steps in the right direction can spark change.