Child welfare practice: An African-centered approach

ABSTRACT

From its inception, the U.S. child welfare system can be characterized as a parallel system, primarily delineated by race. A formal system was created for White children by White social reformers, primarily in the industrial North and Midwest. This system largely excluded formerly enslaved African children. Consequently, there was a child welfare system created for formerly enslaved African children by African or Black social reformers. This culturally responsive system relied upon the principles of social uplift, mutual aid and race pride. This article highlights the African centered approaches used by Black social reformers to address the needs of their community.

KEYWORDS:

• Child welfare
• clubwomen
• mutual aid
• race pride
• social uplift