Commercialized Prostitution in New York CityKneeland, George J. (George Jackson)
History
Commercialized Prostitution in New York City
Kneeland, George J. (George Jackson)
Prostitution -- New York (State) -- New York
All institutions dealing with erring women have to receive in larger or
smaller numbers unmarried girls expecting to become mothers. There are,
however, certain homes specially devoted to this class of women. The
Heartsease Work for Friendless Women in this city, the St. Faith's Home at
Tarrytown, and Lakeview House at Arrochar, Staten Island, are perhaps the
best examples. To these the girls come voluntarily or are directed by
relatives, friends and charitable workers. St. Faith's Home, though
smallest in capacity and in total numbers cared for during the year, is
representative in respect to the policy pursued. From 15 to 17 can be
accommodated, and 39 girls were cared for in 1912, twenty-four of whom
were received during that year. Mothers with their children are kept for
two years in most cases. They are taught all kinds of home work and
especially nursery work. Instruction in the fundamental branches of school
work is given as well as lessons in hygiene, in dress, and in the
expenditure of and accounting for money. Safe places are provided for all
leaving the home. The home is managed by a board of women and an advisory
board of men. It is largely supported by Episcopalians and the work is
done by members of that church.
Lakeview Home, operated under the direction of the Council of Jewish
Women, does a similar work for Hebrew girls. It emphasizes industrial
training and personal work. It cares for 25 women and girls and 24 infants
at a time. The total number cared for in 1912 was 60 girls and 45 infants.
The Heartsease Work is undenominational, though definitely religious. In
addition to the care of women with babies, it provides a temporary home
for erring women and endeavors to fit women for work. It cared for 204
cases in the year 1911-12. Forty were mothers with infants, 61 were girls
becoming mothers, 14 girls were convalescing, and 20 girls were seeking
employment. There were 9 infants without mothers. The home provides
classes for instruction, social entertainments, and religious services.
Definite work to reform this class of women done by three religious
organizations may be mentioned here,--that of the Chinatown Settlement,
the Rescue Mission in Doyers Street, and of the Salvation Army. These
organizations are in a position to touch those more deeply involved in
vice; but the majority of the girls they reach are not prostitutes.
The Chinatown Settlement offers a home and friendly relations to girls
drawn into Chinatown. It affords entertainments, religious teaching, and
practical training. It brings to the home an average of 75 different
girls per month. Two thousand calls on girls were made in 1912. It has a
small country place for summer use.
The Rescue Society reaches girls through mission services, clubs, and
classes. Two thousand, seven hundred and forty-eight women were touched by
the services in 1911.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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