What historical practice involved sending urban youths out west for adoption?

The historical practice of sending urban youths out west for adoption is known as orphan trains. This movement began in the mid-19th century, primarily in the United States, when large numbers of children orphaned or abandoned in urban areas were relocated to rural areas. The intention was to provide these children with a better chance at life by placing them with families who could care for them, often in communities with more resources and opportunities.

Orphan trains were significant because they represented an early effort to address the issues of child welfare and abandonment, emphasizing the idea that children should be placed in supportive, nurturing environments rather than institutions. This practice aimed to reduce the number of homeless children in cities and provided families in rural areas the opportunity to adopt children who needed homes. The orphan train movement had a profound impact on child welfare policies and the development of social services in the United States.