The Poorhouse: Institutionalization of the Poor

Title: The Poorhouse: Institutionalization of the Poor
Author: Diane M. Huddleston
Faculty Advisor: Kimberly Jensen
Date: 1/1/2012
Abstract: The poorhouse was America’s early welfare institution. This article focuses on the early history of the poorhouse used as a punitive measure to deter poverty and later reform attempts during the Progressive Era. However, it soon became clear that reform efforts could not deter or control the socioeconomic conditions that were driving poverty at that time. This article also looks at society’s early beliefs about poverty and its causes, how those beliefs changed over time, but still remained a contentious topic for many.
Type: Text
Keywords: aes; poorhouses; poor farms; poverty; progressive era reforms; institutions; welfare
Language: eng
Rights: Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/09/2022, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Department: History
Identifier: his/3
Bibliographic Citation: Huddleston, Diane M. "The Poorhouse: Industrialization of the Poor." Department of History Capstone paper, Western Oregon University, 2012.