Children s Influence On Children - 2115 Words

Before children were sent to Canada they received some education as well as some training. Only the children who were in good physical health as well as demonstrated a good personal character were chosen to go to Canada. Children gave consent to be sent they had the option to say ‘no’ to the trip, however with promises of a better life and the ability to help develop the new country, the trip seemed like an adventure to many. Children did not understand what they were agreeing to. They were usually more than willing to set sail across the ocean. Children were generally given new outfits, a pair of shoes, a trunk, bible and a book of rules to start their voyage. Once the children reached the Canadian soil usually Halifax, Labrador,†¦show more content†¦Often being returned to distribution homes because they failed to keep up with demands that were required of them or they were not the size that was required for the job they had been intended to do. Britis h children tended to be smaller and less skilled than Canadian children. The lack of skills was mainly because they came from urban areas in Britain which did not have farming. One agent reports that out of her 1304 placements 290 children were returned. With the constant bouncing between the homes children had a difficult time becoming attached. As part of the placement contract, families were required to file a report every three months with updates of the child such as health, progress and conduct. These reports were all too often not filed or they were untruthful leaving out the mistreatment towards the child. The children were also bound by contract, usually until age ten children would be looked after in a program called boarding out. This program gave the foster family five dollars a month to keep the child and they had to allow him or her to attend school. Once the child was ten and above they worked for the family in exchange for their board, food and clothing th at was provided. At the age of fourteen to fifteen children began working for a small wage. At this stage they paid their own board, clothing and food. Until age eighteen the children