Podcast Summary
Exploring Amy Winehouse's life, self-care, and adoption history: Discover Amy Winehouse's life story in 'Back to Black', find self-care through movies or Keebler Sandies, and learn about Georgia Tan's role in modern adoption history
Amy Winehouse's life and music are coming to the big screen in the film "Back to Black," and people are encouraged to take a moment for themselves, whether it's through watching the movie or enjoying a Keebler Sandies cookie. Another significant takeaway is the advancements in health and wellness, as CVS Health is expanding its offerings to include virtual care, in-home evaluations, and mental health services. Lastly, the fascinating history of adoption and the woman who is credited with its modern structure, Georgia Tan, was discussed, shedding light on the complex and often controversial history of this practice. It's important to remember that while the past held beliefs and practices that may seem shocking to us today, progress has been made, and we continue to strive for improvement in various aspects of life.
Fear of Social Unrest and the Origins of Orphan Trains: During the mid-19th century, American elites feared social unrest and the potential rise of socialism, leading to the establishment of the Children's Aid Society and the 'orphan trains' to 'civilize' children, many of whom were immigrants, and prevent them from becoming revolutionaries.
During the mid-19th century, as Europe experienced violent revolutions, American elites grew fearful of social unrest and the potential rise of socialism. One response to this fear was the Children's Aid Society of New York, founded by Charles Loring Brace, who sought to remove thousands of orphaned children from the cities and transport them to the American West. The goal was to expose these children, many of whom were immigrants, to "civilizing influences" and prevent them from becoming socialist revolutionaries. Between 1854 and 1929, approximately 200,000 children were sent west on what came to be known as "orphan trains." While the idea might seem benign on the surface, it was a dark chapter in American history due to the widespread anti-immigrant sentiment of the time, with many of these children facing harsh treatment and difficult living conditions.
The Orphan Trains: A Dark Chapter in American History: The Orphan Trains, which ran from the late 1850s to 1929, were not a system for finding loving homes for children but rather a means for families to acquire free labor. Children, often immigrants, were treated as indentured servants and subjected to harsh working conditions and little affection.
The Orphan Trains, which operated from the late 1850s to 1929, were not a system for finding loving homes for children, but rather a means for families to acquire free labor. These children, many of whom were immigrants, were treated as indentured servants and were often subjected to harsh working conditions and little affection. The practice was not quite child slavery, but it was not far from it. The children were transported from the East Coast to the Midwest, where they were put up for display on station platforms and assigned to families based on their perceived ability to work. The orphan trains represented a dark chapter in American history, with children enduring difficult and often abusive living conditions. Additionally, abandoned children in New York City faced an even more dire fate, as most were left to die on the streets or in hospitals, where they were randomly assigned names and religions.
Historical mistreatment of children in institutions: During certain historical periods, children in institutions faced inhumane treatment, high mortality rates, and neglect, emphasizing the importance of caring for and protecting the most vulnerable.
During certain historical periods, the treatment of children, particularly those in institutions like children's asylums and baby farms, was shockingly inhumane. Names like Charlie Alley or Cherry Hill might seem innocent today, but they could have dark origins, as some of these institutions had limited professions for their residents, often leading to lives of hardship or even death. Infant mortality rates in these places were alarmingly high, with some asylums reporting 100% mortality. Babies were often sent to these places in crates or on trains, with little to no care given during transport, resulting in many deaths. In some cases, those taking care of these babies were violent criminals or simply didn't care, leading to further neglect and abuse. This historical reality is a stark reminder of the importance of caring for and protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
Illegal 'baby farms' in late 1800s America: During the late 1800s in America, some women ran illegal 'baby farms', where they were paid to care for unwanted infants. Some genuinely cared, while others murdered babies for money.
During the late 1800s in America, there were illegal "baby farms" where women were paid to take care of unwanted infants. Some of these women received regular stipends and genuinely cared for the children, while others received a single lump sum and had no incentive to keep the babies alive. They would let them starve or even murder them to receive more money and have more babies to sell. This horrific practice resulted in the deaths of countless babies, with one woman being convicted of killing at least 53. The societal acceptance of such actions is significant in understanding the context of George Tan's upbringing, as her mother, a respected woman in her community, lived in a town where such atrocities occurred.
Early life experiences shaped by social issues: Exposure to orphanages fueled George's desire to become a lawyer, while her hunger for father's approval drove her to learn piano. Apprenticeships offer valuable learning experiences, and passion for products can lead to engaging experiences.
The early life experiences of George, shaped by the social issues of the time, significantly influenced her perspective and ambitions. Despite growing up wealthy, she was exposed to the harsh realities of the orphanage system and the plight of abandoned children. This central issue stayed with her throughout her life, fueling her desire to become a lawyer and make a difference. Her upbringing also included a strong dislike for playing the piano, but she was driven by her hunger for her father's approval and her mercenary ambitions. In the context of the discussion, another notable point was the value of apprenticeships in learning a trade or profession, as seen in the examples of becoming a lawyer and a stand-up comedian. Lastly, Sofia's passion for products and services was emphasized, with Monopoly Go being highlighted as an engaging mobile game offering constant new experiences and rewards.
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Limited by societal norms, Georgia Tann became a social worker instead of a lawyer: Despite facing gender discrimination and societal stigma, Georgia Tann used her experiences to inspire a successful career in social work, overcoming challenges to become a powerful figure in child welfare, but also infamously involved in a baby-selling scandal
Societal norms and expectations can limit individuals, even those with impressive qualifications and strong desires. Georgia Tann, a woman who passed the state bar exam in the early 1900s, was denied the opportunity to practice law due to her gender and her father's fear of social shame. Instead, she pursued a career in social work. Tann, who was a lesbian and not traditionally feminine looking, faced additional challenges in her era. Her experiences as a teenager, including taking care of a baby abandoned by a morphine-addicted mother, inspired her to help others and laid the foundation for her later career. Despite these challenges, Tann went on to become a powerful figure, known for her work in child welfare, but also for her role in the infamous "Georgia Tann baby-selling scandal."
Georgia Tan's Adoption Scheme: Georgia Tan, a wealthy woman, deceived or kidnapped children from poor families, placing them with wealthy families, believing she was saving them from poverty, despite controversy and legal issues.
Georgia Tan, a woman from a snobbish family, started placing children from poor families into wealthy ones around 1920. She initially worked with orphanages but later became obsessed with taking children from their existing homes through deceit or kidnapping, believing she was elevating them. One of her earliest victims was a young boy named Onyx, whose mother was poor and suffering from diabetes. Georgia's father, who was a judge, declared the mother unfit and the child abandoned, leading to his adoption by a fake family named Rufus Raspberry. Georgia's methods eventually led to her being kicked out of multiple states, but she eventually found a new home in Memphis, Tennessee, where she became the executive director of the Tennessee Children's Home Society. Despite the controversy surrounding her methods, she saw it as a way to save children from poverty, which she viewed as the worst possible condition due to her upbringing.
The 'Baby Thief' of the 1920s: Georgia Tann: Georgia Tann revolutionized adoption by making it socially acceptable, but her questionable methods involved child abduction and deception to sell children to wealthy parents, significantly increasing adoptions in the US.
Georgia Tann, a social worker in the 1920s, revolutionized the adoption system in America by making it more socially acceptable for childless couples to adopt, but she did so through questionable means. Tann, who is often referred to as the "Baby Thief," would abduct children, particularly those from poor families, and sell them to wealthy parents. At a time when adoption was not common due to eugenic concerns and the belief that children of unmarried mothers were genetically flawed, Tann convinced people that these children were "blank slates" and could be molded into anything with the right environment. She even invented a return policy for unsatisfied customers. However, her methods were illegal, and she often obtained children through deceit and coercion. Despite this, she managed to place over 200 children in Memphis alone in 1928, compared to the five adoptions arranged by the Boston Children's Aid Society in the same year. Tann's actions significantly increased the number of adoptions in the US, but her methods were ethically questionable and raised concerns about the legitimacy and safety of the adoption process.
Government collusion in baby-selling scandal: The Memphis baby-selling scandal exposed the devastating consequences of government collusion in enabling criminal activities, leading to the abduction and adoption of children against their families' wishes.
The tragic story of Georgia Tan and the Memphis baby-selling scandal reveals the devastating consequences of government collusion in enabling criminal activities. Mary Long's experience showcases how the system failed to protect children, leading to the abduction and adoption of her youngest sister against her mother's wishes. Despite the horrific circumstances, some may find a "silver lining" in the fact that Georgia Tan's victims were not subjected to the usual methods of abduction, such as being put in a van. However, the undeniable truth is that the local government's complicity in these crimes allowed Georgia Tan to continue her heinous actions for years. Today, it's crucial to remember the lessons from this dark chapter in history and remain vigilant against any form of government collusion that may harm the most vulnerable members of society.
Baby Broker's Unsettling Ads During Christmas Season: Georgia Tann, a baby broker in the 1920s and 1930s, gained infamy for providing infants to the wealthy through questionable means, including stealing babies and replacing them without consent. She advertised these babies as 'real life Christmas presents' in local newspapers.
Georgia Tann, a baby broker in the 1920s and 1930s, gained notoriety for her ability to provide infants to the wealthy and powerful people in her community, often through questionable means. She went as far as stealing babies and even replaced a stillborn child with a new one without the mother's knowledge. Georgia's surplus of babies led her to advertise them in local newspapers, including the Memphis Press Scimitar, as "real life Christmas presents." The ads were an instant success, and Georgia ran different ads featuring various babies every day during the holiday season. This commercialization of babies, along with the ethically questionable methods used to obtain them, created an unsettling atmosphere. Despite the controversy, Georgia's baby brokering continued until she was eventually exposed and put on trial for her crimes.
Advertising made babies a commodity during the 1930s: Georgia Tann used ads to make adoption desirable and profitable, perpetuating the stigma of adopting from the lower class while also turning babies into a commodity
Georgia Tann used advertising to make adoption a societal norm and turn babies into a commodity during the 1930s. The success of her Christmas ads led to an ever-growing list of future clients, allowing her to abduct children and sell them directly. The ads also made adoption seem desirable, but they also perpetuated the stigma of adopting from the lower class. Tann charged fees for transporting children to their new homes, making her business profitable and eventually famous. Her ads were placed in newspapers across the United States and even in other countries, leading to her finding more babies to meet the demand. The complexity of Tann's actions lies in the fact that she ended the stigma of adoption while also turning it into a commodity. The ads made babies seem desirable and part of families, but also perpetuated the idea that they were a product to be bought and sold.
Georgia Tann's Adoption Business: A Lucrative Scheme: Georgia Tann exploited the adoption system, charging exorbitant fees and even abducting children to fulfill specific orders, justifying high costs with long wait times, and profiting from travel expenses and out-of-state sales.
Georgia Tann, a notorious figure in the history of adoption, exploited the system for personal gain by charging exorbitant fees and even abducting children to fulfill specific orders. Despite having no qualifications, she made parents wait over a year between installments to justify these high costs. New Yorkers paid more for the first installment but less for the second, which added to the confusion. Georgia's profits came from travel expenses and selling babies to out-of-state couples, leading to increasing "roundups" of children. These children were often taken without proper justification and mostly consisted of infants and toddlers. The system was designed to appear thorough and careful, but in reality, it was a lucrative business for Georgia Tann. Adoption was not supposed to be that expensive at the time, and normal adoption agencies only charged for basic operating costs. This dark chapter in adoption history raises serious ethical concerns and highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in such processes.
A baby-stealing operation in the 1930s: During the 1930s, a woman named Georgia Tan ran a baby-stealing operation under the protection of Rufus Raspberry. Children were taken from poor families and given to wealthy families, with courts favoring the wealthy in custody battles.
During the 1930s in Memphis, Georgia Tan, under the protection of powerful figure Rufus Raspberry, ran a baby-stealing operation. She believed the poor were unfit parents and their children were better off with wealthy families. Despite Grace's desperate attempts to get her children back, the courts ruled in favor of the new parents based on their wealth. Tan provided babies to famous figures like Joan Crawford and Ric Flair. This era saw a shift in record-keeping, making it difficult for people to trace their past. The tragic story of Grace and her stolen children serves as a stark reminder of the power dynamics and morally questionable practices that existed during that time.
Georgia Tann: From Progressive Lawyer to Baby Thief: Georgia Tann revolutionized adoption industry by stealing and marketing babies, leading to numerous deaths, leaving a dark legacy
Georgia Tann, a notorious figure in the history of adoption, revolutionized the industry with her methods, which began with trying to find a better way to steal and market babies. Her business was darker than it seems, as she viewed babies as mere products, leading to a significant number of deaths. This episode explored the complex and disturbing story of Georgia Tann, who went from being a seemingly progressive lawyer and supposed lesbian to a baby thief and potential murderer. The legacy of her actions continues to impact the adoption industry today. It's a chilling reminder of the lengths people have gone to in the past to profit from the most vulnerable members of society.
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