Big-Brother Movement

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

an organized plan to enlist the personal interest of men of good will in the salvaging or timely protection of delinquent or neglected boys whose physical, mental, or moral development has been or is being hindered by lack of proper environment and outlook in the formative years of adolescence. The idea originated with Ernest K. Coulter of New York, who maintained that what the average delinquent boy most needs for his reformation and upbuilding is some personal interest and a helping hand on the part of some "big brother." off by ordi- At present the movement is represented in some form in over one hundred American cities; and in addition to the parent organization there are several special organizations such as the Catholic Big Brothers, the Jewish Big Brothers, and the Colored Big Brothers. A number of established societies of various kinds co-operate in the work, but while organizations as such are utilized, the emphasis is laid on personal, individual service. In the New York organization there were recently over six hundred men from all walks of life giving from one to several hours each week to the work of acting as a Workers in settlements, big brother. churches, children's aid societies, etc., send in the names of boys between the ages of ten and eighteen who stand in need of counsel and friendship, and special effort is made to reach unfortunate boys coming before the juvenile courts. A similar organization for the protection of girls is called the Big-Sister Movement. On Nov. 2, 1921, the "Big- Brother and Big-Sister Federation" was organized under the laws of New York. Nearly one hundred local organizations Ne in the United States and Canada, with a total of about 50,000 volunteer workers, are included under the new federation.