London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Greenwich 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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and the G.L.C., the following table gives the total number of illegitimate births in the Borough during the current year and indicates the numbers and ages of mothers seeking advice and assistance: —
| Illegitimate Births | Ages of Mothers | Number Seeking Help |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15 years | - | |
| 94 | 15—19 years | 57 |
| 107 | 20—24 years | 27 |
| 46 | 25—29 years | 6 |
| 36 | 30—34 years | 3 |
| 26 | 35 years and over | |
| Not known | ||
| 309 | Totals | 93 |
Of the nine women seeking help after their arrival in London,
some 7 or 77.7% were already pregnant. Fourteen of the total of
93 given assistance were not of British origin.
During the year, there were 5 illegitimate births to girls under
16 years of age and a further 15 to those under 17 years.
Adoption, Foster Parents and Boarding Out
Although properly the responsibility for these functions now
lies with the Social Services' Directorate, this department's
observations are variously sought on occasions when health
aspects are likely to be of significance in the Childrens Section's
decision making.
Adoption
One of the most serious social problems of the country today
(although happily of no great moment in this Borough at present)
is the difficulty experienced in the assimilation into society of
coloured immigrants in order that hostility and discrimination
may be avoided.
A corollary of this situation, which, is becoming progressively
more important, is that of the settlement of children of differing
racial origins who, for various reasons, are deprived of a family
life.
Responsibility, generally, for the placement of these children
rests with Adoption Societies and with Social Service Director-