Reference no: EM133792802

From the 1600s to the 1850s, both Europe and the U.S. witnessed significant shifts in the perception and protection of children's rights. In Europe, laws were enacted to protect children from sexual and physical harm, with figures like Charles Dickens and Ambroise Tardieu advocating for children's welfare. Tardieu's work, in particular, highlighted the prevalence of child abuse and sought to improve working conditions for children. In the U.S., the perception of children evolved, with Protestant reformers viewing them as gifts from God but also prone to evil. Legal protections were put in place, albeit limited, and institutions like orphanages and Houses of Refuge emerged. The case of Mary Ellen Wilson in the 1870s highlighted the need for child protection, leading to the establishment of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. This period also saw parallel movements advocating for women's rights and the rights of animals, which intersected with child advocacy efforts.

Questions:

1. Analyze the significance of the Mary Ellen Wilson case in the context of child advocacy in the U.S. Why did this particular case gain so much attention?

2. Discuss the concept of "dependent" children in the U.S. during the 1600s-1850s. How did societal and religious views shape the treatment of these children?