What was the focus of the Asylum Movement during the 19th century?

The Asylum Movement during the 19th century primarily centered on improving conditions for the mentally ill. Advocates sought to reform the treatment of individuals with mental illnesses, who were often subjected to inhumane conditions, neglect, and abuse in prisons and poorhouses. The movement aimed to establish specialized institutions, known as asylums, that would provide care and compassion to patients, promoting their rehabilitation rather than just confinement. This shift in perspective was part of a broader humanitarian reform movement during the era, which included efforts to enhance the lives of marginalized groups within society.

Other options such as establishing more jails or promoting education for children do not accurately reflect the primary goals of the Asylum Movement, as they focus on different societal issues. The focus on abolition, while significant in its own right, was a separate movement aimed at ending slavery and did not directly address the specific challenges faced by the mentally ill.