The social reformers of the child-saving movement were also referred to as?

• A. Liberals
• B. Progressives
• C. Conservatives
• D. Radicals

Answer: (B)

The social reformers behind the child-saving movement are best described as progressives. This group emerged during the Progressive Era and pushed for reform across many urban social problems, including how society treated children. They believed in using expert knowledge, government action, and social programs to protect vulnerable youth, establish specialized juvenile courts, create reform schools, and expand schooling and welfare. Their approach was to reform institutions and policies to improve society, rather than to uphold the status quo (which would align more with conservatives) or to pursue drastic, revolutionary change (which would fit radicals). While some might describe them in liberal terms, the established historical label for these reformers is progressives.