What was the primary reason for the establishment of orphanages in early America?

The primary reason for the establishment of orphanages in early America was to care for children whose parents died of illness. During the early periods of American history, high mortality rates were common due to diseases and lack of medical advancements. When parents died, their orphaned children were left without guardians to provide for their needs, leading to the creation of institutions that would take them in and offer shelter, food, and basic care.

Orphanages served as a crucial response to the societal need for child welfare, aiming to ensure that these vulnerable children had a place to live and could be nurtured in a supportive environment. While education and skills training were important aspects of the programming in some orphanages over time, the immediate motivation for their establishment was the urgent need to provide sanctuary for children who had lost their parents, particularly in response to the mortality rates of the time due to various illnesses.