A Children's Charter in Wartime - Report Adopted March 18, 1942 - Children's Bureau Commission on Children in Wartime

Sep 29, 2026

A Children's Charter in Wartime sets out a wartime pledge to safeguard children amid total war, emphasizing protection, nourishment, shelter, and medical and social support so they can contribute to a just, lasting peace. It frames guidance for U.S. communities through actions that guard children in danger zones, protect them from neglect and exploitation in defense areas, strengthen home life when parents are mobilized, and conserve resources to equip children of every race and creed to participate in democracy. The charter links child health services, evacuation planning, and staffing needs to the continuity of war production and public safety.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

A Children's Charter in Wartime

I. Danger Zones

II. Defense Areas

The )Q TBTLlletin 十++M◎ 数的个7广它家警程 U.S.DEPARTMENT OF LABOR C HILD REN'S B U REAU APRIL 1942 April 1942 CONTENTS Page REPORT ADOPTED MARCH 18,1942,BY THE CHILDREN's BUREAU CoM- MISSION ON CHILDREN IN WARTIME: A Children's Charter in Wartime…………… 245 The Charter in Terms of the Children of the United States……………246 THE CHILDREN's BuREAU IN PEACE AND IN WAR: Foreword,by Katharine F.Lenroot._ 249 A Review on the Occasion of the Bureau's Thirtieth Anniversary,by Miriam Keeler. 249 Recent Children's Bureau Publications. 254 INTER-AMERICAN CooPERATION: The Eighth Pan American Child Congress—Agenda and Program. 255 Progress in Child Welfare in the American Republics, by Anna Kalet Smith 256 News Notes 263 BIRTH——GROWTH—CHILD HEALTH: Maintaining State Services for Crippled Children During the Present Emergency, by A.L.Van Horn,M.D………… 265 Organization of Child-Health Conferences, Prenatal Clinics, and Home-Delivery Services in Indiana, by Howard B. Mettel, M.D_ 269 270 Book Notes_ √CHILD LABOR—YoUTH EMPLOYMENT—VocATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Child Labor in Arizona Cotton Fields, by Edwin E. Vallon……………… 271 Hearing on Proposed Hazardous-Occupations Order on Radioactive Substances__ -275 Book Notes__ 276 EVENTS OF CURRENT INTEREST: Campaign for Early Diagnosis of Tuberculosis. 277 Conference Calendar 277 The Children's Bureau does not necessarily endorse or assume responsibility for the statements or opinions of contributors not connected with the Bureau. Report Adopted March 18,1942,by the Children's BureauCommission on Children in Wartime # A Children's Charter in Wartime W√,E ARE in total war against the aggressor nations.We arefighting again for human freedom and especially for the future ofour children in a free world. CHLDBEN must be safeguarded—and they can be safeguarded—inthe midst of this total war so that they can live and share in thatfuture.They must be nourished,sheltered,and protected even inthe stress of war production so that they will be strong to carryforward a just and lasting peace. UR AMERICAN Republics sprang from a sturdy yearning fortolerance,independence,and self-government.The American homehas emerged from the search for freedom.Within it the child livesand learns through his own efforts the meaning and responsibilitiesof freedom. WE HAVE FAITH in the children of the New World—faith that ifour generation does its part now,they will renew the living principlesin our common life,and make the most of them. BoTH as a wartime responsibility and as stepping-stones to ourfuture—and to theirs—we call upon citizens,young and old,to jointogether to— I.Guard children from injury in danger zones. II.Protect children from neglect,exploitation,and unduestrain in defense areas. III.Strengthen the home life of children whose parents aremobilized for war or war production. IV.Conserve,equip,and free children of every race and creedto take their part in democracy. Photo by Steicher # The Charter in Terms of the Children of the United States “War vacations”for city childrcn.--By the expansionof summer vacation camps conducted under propersupervision,staffed in part by volunteers,and utilizingsurplus commodities,and other aids,great numbersof children can be removed from exposed districts atrelatively little expense.These camp demonstrationswould be an admirable test of evacuation methods andan investment for health. ## I.DANGER ZoNES “Guard children from injury in danger zones” These danger zones line our coasts along theAtlantic,the Pacific,and the Gulf—especiallywhere there are military targets,industrialplants,business centers,oil tanks or the like;also,closely built home areas which might bebombed in an effort to break the morale ofdefense production workers. Appropriate immunization of all children againstcommunicable disease. Helping children to mect the anticipations and real-ities of wa

FAQs

What are the charter’s core responsibilities for protecting children during wartime?

The charter calls for safeguarding children from injury and harm, protecting them from neglect and undue strain, and ensuring they remain nourished and sheltered even under war production pressures.

How does the charter address “danger zones” along U.S. coasts?

It identifies coastal areas near military targets and industrial or commercial sites, recommends measures such as immunization and support for wartime anxiety, and notes these areas are a priority within civilian defense planning.

What steps does the charter recommend for defense areas and child welfare services?

It stresses child registration and identification, evacuation planning when needed, and maintaining essential health, education, welfare, and child-guidance services with sufficient trained staffing and facilities.

Sep 29, 2026

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