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The British Home Child Program: A Tragic Legacy of Abuse and Neglect in Canada

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Marjorie Her War Years: A British Home Child in Canada

by Ian Mortimer

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	288 pages

The British Home Child program, which lasted from 1869 to 1948, saw over 100,000 children sent from the UK to Canada. Many of these children were orphans or came from poor families, and they were sent to Canada to work as farm laborers or domestic servants.

The program was initially seen as a way to provide a better life for these children, but in reality, many of them experienced abuse and neglect. They were often forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions, and they were often denied an education. Many were also subjected to physical and sexual abuse.

The legacy of the British Home Child program is still felt today. Many of the children who were brought to Canada as part of the program suffered from lifelong psychological and physical problems. Some were even abandoned by their families and left to fend for themselves.

The History of the British Home Child Program

The British Home Child program was started in 1869 by the British government. The program was designed to help reduce the number of orphans and poor children in the UK. These children were often sent to Canada to work as farm laborers or domestic servants.

The program was initially supported by both the British and Canadian governments. The British government saw it as a way to reduce the number of poor and orphaned children in the UK, while the Canadian government saw it as a way to provide a labor force for the country's growing economy.

The program reached its peak in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During this time, over 100,000 children were sent to Canada. The majority of these children were from England, but some also came from Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

The Impact of the British Home Child Program

The British Home Child program had a devastating impact on many of the children who were sent to Canada. Many of these children were abused and neglected, and they were often forced to work in dangerous conditions.

The program also had a negative impact on the Canadian economy. The influx of cheap labor from the UK led to a decline in wages for Canadian workers. This, in turn, contributed to social unrest and poverty in Canada.

The Legacy of the British Home Child Program

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to acknowledge and address the legacy of the British Home Child program. The Canadian government has apologized for the program, and several provinces have established programs to provide support to former Home Children.

The British Home Child program was a dark chapter in the history of both the UK and Canada. The program caused untold suffering for thousands of children, and its legacy is still felt today.

It is important to remember the lessons of the British Home Child program so that we can prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

Resources

British Home Children in Canada: A Guide to Records at Library and Archives Canada
British Home Children: Recognition and Reconciliation
British Home Children Resource Centre
The Canadian Home Children Foundation

Marjorie Her War Years: A British Home Child in Canada

by Ian Mortimer

5 out of 5