Rules and conditions for teens living in group homes in the 1950's (or today, failing that)

[oldandnewfirm]

I'm writing a story in which the protagonist is living in a New Jersey group home for "problem children" (not necessarily delinquents) in the early 1950's. I'm trying to find out what life would be like for the residents of a group home around this time: Would they be allowed to leave the premises on their own, where would they attend school, what

Comments

[shadefell]

Maryville is a large and well known foundation in Chicago ( http://s280942808.onlinehome.us/ ) that used to offer group home type housing for kids. I don't know if they still do, there were some pretty severe scandals and a bunch of facilities were closed. However, doing a search for them might get you Maryville-specific information and stories that can be extrapolated. Similarly, Boys Town (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls_and_Boys_Town ) might lead to some good personal accounts.

[robynbender]

Check this booklist from the Adoption History Project, which has lots of stuff re that era. http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~adoption/reading.html#CWLA... )