BENEVOLENCE AND SOCIAL-CONTROL - ADVICE FROM THE CHILDRENS BUREAU IN THE EARLY-20TH-CENTURY

This essay examines the correspondence in 1914-15 between Julia Lathrop, chief of the Children's Bureau, and a working-class woman in order to help illuminate a growing debate about the effect of state welfare programs on women. Although Lathrop imposed her own definition on her client's needs, helped to undermine women's confidence in their own knowledge and skills, and perpetuated the gender division of labor, she also responded to this correspondent as a unique individual and helped to restore the dignity other members of the community had eroded.