Vast changes took place in urban benevolence toward poor females in the first half of the nineteenth century. Agencies started by upper-class women as private organizations to support needy women became agencies run by salaried, professional, male charity workers whose job it was to train and discipline poor females. (RM)

Asserts that, in the urban classrooms of the early 20th century, women teachers faced two contradictory images: (1) the idealized view of the gentle, nurturing teacher; and (2) the reality of the harsh working conditions in city schools. Concludes that administrators were content to let classroom teachers deal with disciplinary issues. (CFR)