TABLES. Table I. Average annual legitimate birth rate per 1,000 married women 15 to 49 years of age, and illegitimate birth rate per 1,000 single, widowed, and divorced women 15 to 49 years of age, in specified countries of Europe---- Table II. Number and per cent of illegitimate births in specified countries of Europe_-_. Table III. Average annual per cent of illegitimate births in European cities, 1905 to 1909_. Table IV. Number and per cent of illegitimate births in Australia and Table V. Legitimate birth rate per 1,000 married women 15 to 44 years Table VI. Number and per cent of illegitimate births in 16 States of the Table VII. Number and per cent of illegitimate births in 20 cities of the LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, SIR: I transmit herewith the first of two studies on illegitimacy as a child-welfare problem. This report, intended in part as an introduction to the report which will follow, is a brief survey of the available statistics relating to births out of wedlock, the present rights and disabilities of the children, and the protection and guardianship by means of which public and private agencies have attempted to mitigate the handicap of illegitimate birth. The source material upon which the report is based, together with certain general references, is included. Although the evidence available indicates that the number of children born out of wedlock in the United States is less, in proportion to population and to total births, than in European countries, the figures are sufficiently large to command attention and to arouse concern for the welfare of the children. Inadequacy of birth registration makes it impossible to secure accurate statistics, but a careful study of the data makes it fairly certain that at least 32,000 white children are born out of wedlock in the United States each year. The information presented in this report indicates that probably not more than 70 per cent of these children survive the first year of life. This report was prepared in the Social Service Division of the Bureau. It was written by Emma O. Lundberg and Katharine F. Lenroot, and the bibliographical material for it was prepared by Ruth H. Olmsted under Miss Lundberg's supervision. Respectfully submitted. Hon. W. B. WILSON, JULIA C. LATHROP, Chief. Secretary of Labor. 5 ILLEGITIMACY AS A CHILD-WELFARE PROBLEM. PART 1. INTRODUCTORY. Only within comparatively recent times has illegitimacy come to be recognized as a definite social problem. Yet, few topics relating to social welfare have as many ramifications or provoke as many divergent opinions. In its bearings upon social standards, especially those concerning family relationships, illegitimacy opens up a large field for discussion. It is a matter of prime importance in a consideration of social and moral prophylaxis, while in its relation to infant mortality, infant care, child abandonment and neglect, and the care of dependent children it demands the attention and concern of all who are engaged in constructive social effort. Although the problem manifests fairly regular phenomena, these vary according to the composition, customs, and social conditions of the community, and furthermore are subject to modification by social action. The social significance of illegitimacy may be studied along two distinct lines of investigation, the first concerned with causative factors and centering in the mother and father, the second centering in the child and attempting to measure the handicaps to the child born out of wedlock and to secure the care and protection that should be afforded him. The two lines of investigation necessarily converge at many points. To a considerable extent the causative factors have an essential bearing upon the child's history and the burden of dependency imposed upon the State. Many theories have been advanced in regard to the natural endowment of the child born out of wedlock as compared with that of the child of legitimate birth, but very little authoritative information is available. Neither has there been any adequate consideration of the environmental and home influences surrounding children who are born out of wedlock, nor of the burden that is placed upon the public for the support of these children. |