w 1. I. . ‘- u T. o .\. 7 Q n 0 o O . .n I. a .. t V8... ' . '. On I. u. 1“ b‘. .... h. ... $.05. ‘ .. .- 'lu.» 3!! {0 I This is to certify that the thesis entitled The Role of Clothing in Family Relationships 1: Twonty-Flve Selected Families presented by Mrs. Bernice King has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for ILA. degree mm. Clothing and Related Arts A STUDY OF THE ROLE OF CLOTHING IN Fi-JJIILY ZLEIAT IONSHIPS IN Ts-ENTY-FIVE SQLECTED FAMILIES by ‘.- . e 'e '9' Mrs Brnic Klnc A T133818 fimnimmd to the School of Graduate Studies of Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the decree of EMS TER OF ARTS Department of Textiles, Clothing and Related Arts 1949 '[HESIb TABLE OF CONTEETS Part One Chapter No. Page No. I. Introduction.........s............................... 1 II. Methods and Techniques............................... 3 III. ReView Of LiteratllreOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 12 Part Two I. Analysis of Case Studies............................. 30 II. smaryOOOIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOOO00.0.0000... 101 III. GeneralizatiOnSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... 115 Appendix A. Case StudieSOOOOOOOOOOOO00....OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO0.0.. 11-9 IL Questions Used in Interviews......................... 620 C0 Bibliography.............oooo....o.....o............. 632 :3- 81339 LIST OF TABLES Tflfle No. Page No. I. Composition of Family.................................. 25-26 II. Subjective.Analysis of Social Economic Status of Families......................................... 27-28 IIL Subjective Evaluation of Social Participation and Acceptance.......................................... 29 IV. Some Outstanding Evidences of Controversial Problems 'Within the Family................................... 113 V. Some Outstanding Evidences of Clothing Problems Prmwily IndiViduaIOOOOIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 114 AC MOV‘JIEDGEMEN'I'S The writer wishes to acknowledge with sincere gratitude the tireless and unwavering help and advice given her by Miss Hazel B. Strahan, Head of the Textiles, Clothing and Related Arts Depart- ment. She wishes also to thank Dr. Duane L. Gibson of the Depart- ment of Sociology and AnthropOIOgy for his invaluable aid in setting up the study. She also appreciates the cooperation of members of the twenty-five families who participated. The author is also grate-- ful for the understanding of her husband and daughter who aided her in many ways in the long period of time during which the interviews for case studies were in progress. CHAPTER I INT RODUCT ION This is a study designed to show the relative importance of clothing in the lives of the individual members of twenty-five families. An attempt is to be made to determine whether the factors of education, occupation, economic status, social participation, social approval by their contemporaries and respective age groups, and religious beliefs may have any influence on the role which clothing bears to the individual members in the families selected. An attempt will also be made to determine what factors related to clothing seem to contribute to or result in controversial problems and tensions within the group and betvmen the different members of the families in this study. This study is based on an intensive case history of twenty- five families. To the author's knowledge, no other similar study has been attempted dealing with the relationship of clothing to the problem as defined. Case studies of each family interviewed will be presented to show individual reactions. The findings are to be based on personal interviews with each member of the family. In conducting interviews, use will be made of certain leading questions which have been designed to reflect reactions, attitudes and beliefs in accordance with the age and sex of the individuals within these families. From these questions, the interviewer hopes to secure additional information from the voluntary responses from the person being questioned. In 2 instances questions will have to be omitted or supplemented because of unusual circumstances which.may arise during the interview, although a certain pattern of questioning will be followed in each case. There will be a considerable amount of variation in sequence and cnnission of some questions. Each person interviewed will reflect different attitudes and reactions, so a subjective evaluation and in- terpretation will be necessary. Inasmuch as the primary purpose of this study is to determine the significance of clothing for the individual and the interaction 'within the family, each case will be recorded as an interview, and 'will be summarized and analyzed. A comparison will be made between the various occupational groups studied and the significance as re- flected by the different age and sex groups will likewise be compared. Inasmuch as a great amount of irrelevant material will un- doubtedly be given, the analysis will be restricted to a study of these phases previously mentioned. No attempt will be made to analyze this information statistically, but rather to conceptualize and generalize as to the results found. It is the wish of the author that the study be of interest and that it be found helpful to others who might wish to do further research. CHAPTER II METHODS AND TECHNIQUES Before the final selection of families to be interviewed for this study, preliminary or experimental interviews were first carried out. Three families were chosen at random, the only limiting or control factor being that each family must be composed of a father, a mother, and at least two children. These families were interviewed 'personally, but were not aware of the fact that they were being interviewed. These experimental interviews served to check on the leading questions which had been prepared to determine the extent of voluntary response produced and provide additional experience for the investigator in the technique of interviewing. The interviewer, with tact and friendliness, tried to gain the confidence of the interviewee and get him.to talk of his home, his family, his personal problems, religion, finances, education, social life, and to find out if at all, or to what extent, clothing seemed to affect his life. Out of these interviews, new plans for setting up the study, revision of questions, techniques in interviewing and defining limitations were developed. One change which seemed desirable was to explain the purpose of the interview and enlist the cooperation of the individual. It was decided to choose families from.four occupational groups; hourly wage earners from industry, owners or top executives engaged in business, farmers who actually engaged in farming, and those engaged in professions such as medicine, teaching, law and the ministry. It was further decided that each family in the study should have at least one teen-age daughter and at least one other child of school age. The teen-age daughter was the one constant factor in respect to family composition. Other factors concerning the family groups mdght vary in respect to number of children, age and sex. The father was to be the principal wage earner although the mother and/pr the children might work part time. If children were not in school, they were to be supported by the parents. .After the above factors were definitely decided upon, the actual selection of families was undertaken and it was found that from the original fifty families listed, but nineteen remained who fulfilled the requirements, and an additional seven families were added. As the test questions tried in the three experimental cases ‘were found to be adequate to elicit the desired information, the case study method was adopted for the continuance of the study. Each family was contacted by telephone, letter or personal call and per- mission asked for the interviews which were to be carried out in the home of each family. In practically every case, it was the mother 'who granted permission for the interview. Immediately following the interview, each case study was written.while attitudes, facial ex- pressions, and behavior in general as well as actual conversation ‘were fresh in the mind of the interviewer. 'While it was originally .' ‘1 -1" I ~- 13" .’ 5 intended that the father and mother were to be interviewed together, in actuality it did not prove to be a good practice and was not followed in many instances. To facilitate the interview, a separate set of questions was devised for: (a) interviews with the husband and wife together; (b) for the mother when interviewed alone; (c) for the father when interviewed alone; (d) for the high school or college age group; (6) for the pre-teen-age boy or girl; and finally (f) for the pre-school child in the family. The questions used in the interviews were so constructed that by the use of a leading or key question, it was hoped that much information might voluntarily be given by the interviewee. If the leading question failed, supporting questions with which the in- vestigator was already familiar and which were pertinent to the particular person being interviewed, might, without hesitation, be asked. Never, at any time, were all of those reserve questions asked in any given situation, but rather were to be used as a way to secure the desired information. Every encouragement was given the interviewee to feel that he was talking to a friend rather than answering specific questions. No attempt was made to ask questions in.the exact manner listed, (see page620) but rather to have them serve as a structure, reawording them.in such a way so as to make them comprehensible and comparable with the education and personality cfi'the person being questioned. In practically every case, each nwmber of the families interviewed remarked that it was his desire 6 to participate in and to cooperate if the family name was to be with- held. In the construction of the questions for both husband and wife, the inherent purpose was to gain as complete a picture of the family's background as possible. The key question, “Miere did you spend the first fifteen or twenty years of your life?“ was designed to give either parent an opportunity to discuss his or her childhood. Almost invariably, the adult answered many questions which the investigator sought, without being asked. Supplementary or follow-up questions concerned clothing which they remembered having had as a child, home sewing and made over or gift clothing. “I The extent and purchase of ready-to-wear for the family, relative distribution of clothing exienditures for the different members of the family and attitudes and buying practices for clothing were determined by specific questions where necessary, as the investigator desired to gain as complete a picture of each family in regard to their reactions as to clothing. This information given by the father and the mother was valuable in that childhood experiences frequently influenced their attitudes and determined clothing practices within their family. Family relationship questions were designed to elicit in- formation in regard to: (a) the importance of holidays and their relation to clothing worn for special occasions; (b) family part- icipation in sports and the type of clothing worn; and finally, (d) the planning and division of the family income. The lead question used for the above was, ”I am interested in the sort of things you do tOgether as a family. Will you please tell me about them?‘I 7 The question "Do you attend church together as a family?" might well have been included with the above since it was designed to reveal family relationships as well as religious belief held by the family. Questions on clothing worn in attendance at church, Sunday School and other church functions gave an opportunity to determine whether or not clothing rad any association with religion, not only in the immediate family, but in the background of the husband and wife. Religious beliefs in many instances accounted for clothing preferences, satisfactions or dissatisfactions. In questions for the high school and college age group of people, the lead question, "As a member of the family group, what are your views in regard to the sharing of the family income?” was aimed to determine: (a) attitudes or practices in spending which were felt to be unfair; (b) the use of money earned for specified purchase of clothing; (0) practices in shopping for clothing; and (d) opinions in regard to one member of the family having more clothing than another. Another leading question designed to gain information from the high school and college age group as to the person having the most influence over their choice in clothing and their personal appearance, their preferences relative to being dressed similarly to their friends or a desire to be different, was ”Do you have some pretty definite ideas in regard to personal problems and the responsibilities of home life in general?” This question was 8 supplemented to bring the interviewee to talk about: (a) his parents concept of clothing needs and wants; (b) his envy or jealousy of clothing possessed by friends; (0) embarrassment over personal appearance of a parent, brother or sister; (d) opinions in regard to use of cosmetics, deoderants, and depiliatories; (e) item of clothing owned which is best liked and why; and (f) the individuals responsi- bility or lack of responsibility in washing, mending and pressing personal clothing. The question, ’How would you classify yourself in appearance in comparison with your friends?“ was often supplemented, when interviewing high school and college people, with questions in regard to gift clothing for Christmas or birthdays, made-over clothing, home sewing by Mother or sister, while the question, "Will you tell me about the social activities of your age group at school, church and community in general?” included subsidiary questions in respect to: (a) membership in various organizations, the way of dressing for attendance at the meeting; (b) dancing,with its attendant clothing problems; (0) favorite movie stars and why they were liked; (d) what magazines are most read and best liked; and last, but certainly not least, (e) what is enjoyed the most and the least at home. Following the family questions which were asked of both the father and mother, the mother was asked as a lead question, ”As the wife and mother of the family, will you tell me some of the ways you influence the members of your family in regard to their clothing wants, needs and choice?" This lead question was followed by specific questions on budgets for clothing, children earning money, the psychological effect of new clothing, clothing which was best liked, Mother's approval of children's clothing, agreement by husband and wife in respect to the cost and amount of clothing for the children, selection of clothing for the wife by her husband, and enjoyment on the part of the mother in choosing clothing for her family. The question, ”From the standpoint of the family income, what things do you consider most important in keeping it under control so that it makes for a happy, contented home life?” included the con- tribution of the wife to the family income, her personal clothing allowance, her budget, and her feelings in regard to her husband allowing children to have clothing which had been vetoed by her. Where the information was inadequate, other questions were asked at the discretion of the interviewer. Information in regard to quality and quantity of clothing for the family, for whom and to what extent home sewing is done, family appreciation of home sewing, money saved by home sewing, impressions in regard to the trend of fashion and style talks or articles, was gleaned by asking the question, I'What are some of the ways that you feel style, fashion, and quality in clothing can be achieved for your family?" In addition to the family questions for both husband and Wife, the father was asked the following lead questions: I'Mr. , a nan with a family of to support must have 10 to plan pretty carefully these days. Will you tell me some of the problems? I am particularly interested in your point of view on clothing problems.' This question was designed to bring about a general discussion of their family life with it's aims, ambitions and problems and, specifically, those which related to clothing. In almost every case, the father, when asked this question, dis- cussed his early ambitions and the ways in which his family had fulfilled his hopes for the various members belonging to the family group, sacrifices made by the father for his family, his sense of or lack of satisfaction. ”How do you feel your family can best cooperate with you in the spending of the family income?” This question was used to bring about an opinion as to whether or not the family spent too much or too little for clothing, the home made or ready made clothing of his boyhood days, how he feels about his wife sewing for the family, the importance of personal appearance in his chosen work, standard of dress for the profession in which he is engaged, life expectancy of his suits and overcoats, favorite colors for per- sonal clothing, shopping with members of his family or for himself, pride in the appearance of his family, and a comparison of his family's appearance with other families. The question, "What responsibilities do you like to have your wife take in regard to the purchase of your clothing?” included being drawn out in some detail in regard to the wife shopping for the husband's ties, shirts and articles of clothing commonly given 11 as gifts. The questions used for the little child of the family were adopted to the age of the child, at the discretion of the invest- igator and were used less frequently than any other set of questions since there were but three such children as young as five years of age interviewed. In general, it may be said that the questions were used merely as guide, nor were they always used as point blank questions. They were designed as a tool to induce the person being interviewed to voluntarily tell his story without interruption, in so far as possible. It was necessary, however, to control the interview to some extent and the questions always served as a guide in directing the thoughts of the interviewee. It was found necessary, at all times, to exercise tact, understanding and patience in conducting an interview and re-phase or adapt the question asked to the individual who was being interviewed. CHAPTER III REVIEW OF LITERATURE It is not known if studies have been conducted which duplicate this particular study. It is difficult to cite literature dealing with the role of clothing; other than review studies dealing with the psychological and social‘l’aspects of clothing and the methods and techniques used in other social studies. It is possible, too, to review other studies which have an indirect bearing on this particular study for a better understanding of certain socio-psychological facts dealing with clothing preferences, needs and expenditures of families and/or individuals. The purposes served by clothing, types of dress and influences tending to maintain fashion, standards used in evalu- ation of clothing, analysis of fashion and its motivation are all significant contributions and relevant to this study. Three main purposes served by clothing on which most writers are in agreement are: decoration, modesty and protection. The literature is abundant in evidence that clothing has been worn be- cause of modesty and at the same time to display the body and add to sexual attractiveness. Traditionally, clothing has been symbolic of religion, or used in an effort to terrorige. Skins of animals, masks and war paint have all served to protect the wearer against heat, cold, enemies and moral dangers. Clothing as a symbol of social status, naticmality or display of wealth has existed since the beginning of time. ca. he -., V‘I '1 .: "I. -. _ ‘ u s "Q. . u.’ a a . _. x n H“ i. '1 '4 V ‘1 13 It has been said that ”Clothing may be a protection as re- gards obedience to sentiment,“ and this is true of primitive peoples, especially. Primitive dress consisted of a ring around the hips which held the loin cloth. I'In really primitive peoples there seems to be no correlation betxmen clothing, chastity, modesty, decency and propriety."2 The type of dress known as the tropical, increased the size of the loin cloth to a vegetable fiber apron, while the Artie type completely covered the body. “Man was constructed for efficiency as a naked animal and care must be taken in "adapting body coverings to requirements, as he is a sensitive being.“5 Elizabeth Hawes has said that women wear clothes because of decoration and protection, while modesty lurks in the background. While some women are rebellious and resent the wearing of clothing, others are resigned to it, but take no pleasure in it. In general, women's clothes allow greater satisfaction than do men's, because of color, weight, material, freedom of movement, and exposure of more body than the hands and face. Masculine renunciation of gay, color- ful costume took place in the 18th century, although certain sumptuary laws gave the right to dress to emphasize rank. Sumptuary laws in 1Summer, Folkways, p. 443 2Sumner, Folkways, p. 419 3George Van Ness Dearborn, The Psychology~ of Clothes, p. 5. l4 ancient Greece and Rome restricted the numbers of garments worn. In England, such laws referred to the wearing of ermine and pearls. In Italy, in the 14th century, individuals set their own fashion, but in the 18th century in England, 'Fashion Racing' became known. This meant that clothing was made available to more people because of power machinery, diffusion of wealth, and better geOfraehic contacts. In short, the Industrial Revolution started. The supremacy of fashions in court was prevalent and often was desi ned to disguise physical defects of the wealthy. Mass sug estion, then as now, was an arbiter of fashion. Fashion in dress is a continuous process of slow change of typical annual modes accompanied each year by innumerable slight variations from the dominant type of which there are but three fundamental variations, depending upon the form and contour of the skirt. These occur in regular sequence in each century and a fashion cycle is approximately thirty-five years in length with slight variations. (23) The advantage of a fixed type of dress eliminates competition, saves time in choosing, improves appearance of those who lack appeal, and.stabilizes economic conditions. (7) In considering other factors in regard to coverings for the ‘body,vdmther in primitive or civilized people, literature indicates we must take into consideration the following things: 14 Texture of covering worn is as important as the tightness or looseness of the weave as a factor in the comfort of the wearer. 15 2. Materials are important as fur is warmer than wool, wool warmer than silk, silk warmer than cotton, cotton warmer than linen, and linen warmer than nakedness. 3. Silks act psychologically to promote a feeling of superiority. 4. White reflects and cools, while dark absorbs and warms. 5. Red excites and warms. 6. The influence of clothing begins at birth and lasts through life. (5) Minimum clothing standards should be decided by certain criteria. Adequacy for social participation, comfort, health, cleanliness, and protection constitute a minimum standard. Minimum standards of clothing should be based on psycho-social welfare as well as physical comfort. It is difficult to do so without cloth- ing inventory studies, health and efficiency criteria. (6) George W. Hartman of Columbia University has said that clothing behavior is a neglected but permanent part of educational and social psychology and that it will always be a major social issue. The psychological problems connected with clothing apply to all age and sex groups but particularly to adolescents. Hurlock's Adolescent Development (12) is sirgnificant for its contribution in relation to problems of adolescence in regard to personal appearance and the problems of adjustment peculiar to adolescent age. Many studies are cited which have bearing on effects 31‘ the psychological significance of clothing to the individual, as a. 16 well as significance in its relation to social status. "The problem of adolescence nucleates in the process of the termination of protected childhood and the assumption of adult responsibility. The adolescent is beset with ")31ysiological changes which, because of their fundamental character and the cultural definitions placed upon them, require a more conscious adjustment than any which have occurred previously in the life of the individual. The storm and stress of adolescence is a crisis. The values of age may frequently conflict those of parents, teachers and other 'ancients.' The cultural pattern of one generation rarely, in an area of accele- rated change, obtain for another. Hence, there is a conflict of generations. This is particularly true of the children of immigrants, but is true of all families in some degree." "The conflict between youth and age finds no more central battleground than in the recreational activities of youth. Personal counselling by truly empathetic teachers, social workers and ministers go far to alleviate these problems,"5 which are so difficult. ”Children of divorced parents suffer psychological damage such as one expects from broken homes, but children from homes where the parents are incompatible may suffer even greater psychological wear and tear . ”6 4Lee, Outline of Sociology, p. 21 5Hurlock, Adolescent Development, p. 26 6 Lee, op. cit., p. 26 17 Increased scientific knowledge has shown that some of the adolescent reaction to given situations that was once regarded as abnormalities are mere normal phenomena present in almost every adolescent boy or girl.7' From the beginning of civilization, people have had some understanding of the importance of adolescence. The more civilized the nation becomes, the longer is the transition from childhood to maturity, and the more difficult to make the transition. "The adolescent does not know where he stands in social status because in some activities he is treated like a child and in some he is accept- ed as an adult."8 Lynd and Lynd (1929) questioned high school students in regard to possible causes of discord between themselves and their parents and found that it was largely a matter of desire on the part of the young people to secure freedom from parental dominance. anderson (1940) found, in a study of parent-child relationships, that where child behavior and personality and a certain amount of maturity develop in a home life where parents are affectionate and considerate rather than where they dominated too much. Parental attitude seems important in dealing with the adolescent child. In a study designed to show differences in the attitudes of farm, town, and city parents in relation to personality adjustments in their children, it has been found that the attitudes of parents of the three groups of children did not differ in any significant 7' . durlock, op. cit., p. 1 8Ibid ., p. l 18 amount. Differences between fathers and mothers was very slight, with farm parents having the most favorable attitudes. This in- formaticn might indicate that the attitude of the farm and the city parents would be different in matters pertaining to clothing problems as well as in matters concerning the personality of the child, since the social participation of all groups was considered. Since social participation of the family group, and of the adolescent child in particular, is a matter of importance, it is interesting to note that Strang (1931) in a test given high school boys and girls found that the socio—economic status of a family is judged by the father's occu- pation which seems to be an important criteria in adolescent choice of friends. Hicks and Hayes (1938) re‘vorted that reasons more commonly given by junior high school students for selecting Special friends were that they liked the same things, they had lmown them a long time and they could do interesting things. It was reported by Jenkins (1939) that there was a tendency for young adolescents to choose friends of approximately the same chronological and mental age and in the same grade at school. The tendency of human nature is to be alike and not different, to act in common and not independently. Companionship and intimate friendship and tendency to be like the people we are with and imitation of the group is necessary to member- Ship within the group. Symonds (1939) found that the adolescent boy and girl had very Similar problems and interests and the most serious problems had to do With money, health, s‘tmdy habits and personal attractiveness. The '7' ‘t. 19 item of personal attractiveness was especially true of the girls. There are few boys and girls of adolescent age who are so firmly en- trenched in social security that they are willing to risk ridicule. Their social consciousness is very marked and the type of clothing worn, the use of cosmetics, hair styles and so forth all aid the ad- olescent in getting approval from his group. Clothing interest in adolescence stems from a realization of the part it plays in group status. Clos ely connected with clothing is the bodily size of the adolescent child. Stolz and Stolz (1944) found that a common cause for concern among this age group was traceable to lack of height, tallness and fatness. Another factor related to clothing that causes much concern to the adolescent and is tinged with a disturb- ing emotion, is a growth of hair on face, arms and lags. This is true of the girl rather than the boy. Since this study is a problem in research and deals with both Sociology and Clothing, it has necessitated the review of studies in the socio-psychological field and scientific publications for understanding in the methods and procedures to be followed in under- taking such a problem. The importance of the case study in research work is emphasized in formulation of the hypothesis, the observation and gathering of the data, its classification and the conceptualizing 0f principles. The literature read, a brief review of which follows, has been most helpful in crystalizing thought in regard to important 20 generalizations made. The case study method used in this study could not have been possible without the aid of certain authors. The case study method of studying social phenomena is one of the oldest, most important scientific tools and has been widely usad. A.case is data which depicts any phase of, or an entire life process of a unit in its inter-relationship and cultural setting of a person, family, group, institution or community. (24) A small numaer of case studies may be viewed, noting many details and the best are those which make for reality and not mass statistics. Set questionnaires are conceded to be inadequate where intangible elements are concerned. The investigator must set out to learn facts, not to prove them. The mind must be open and free from prejudice. A working hypothesis gives a point to the inquiry. After the problem has been chosen, there must be a determination as to the factors and phases of the study being made. Procedures must be mapped out and a general plan of action must be decided upon and followed. In following scientific observation, there must be freedom from bias, a control of the imagination, an alert interest and a capacity to hear and to see. The personal interview as a scientific tool in use in con- ducting social study work is invaluable. The investigator must have a sense of the dramatic and be sympathetic. Accidental interviews, with no preliminary approach, are sometimes desirable because of relaxation and detachment of the information, Mutual discovery of 21 common experiences will allow the interviewer to penetrate more deeply into the life of the informant. 'Yes' and 'No' answers to questions should not be permitted to happen. Note taking during the interview is best avoided, as is any display of questions. The study must be written immediately following the interview, however, even when nothing but qualitative analysis is desired. If the personal interview is to be used for the case study, a definite time must be set for the interview and an effort made to see the informant alone, if possible. The skill of the interviewer must come into play in subtle influence and kindly tact.“ There must be genuine interest on the part of the investigator. Techniques may vary with tre informants educau‘ on and personality. In conducting the personal interview, either the projectile or the focused method may be used. The projectile method where the investigator endeavors to project the informant's thoughts into the information he desires to gain without the informant being aware of his design is valuable in that the informant may give facts in regard to his personal life which no direct question would elicit. In other words, the investigator endeavors to make the informant think of other things than his immediate question. In the focused interview the inquiry is trying to determine reaponses to a particular communication or pattern of stimulus which has already been studied for analysis by the investigator. The focused interview may include such questions as those pertaining to age, education, economic level, and occupation. Both methods are 22 of value in conduction of the personal interview and they may be used in conjunction. (14) The oral interview allows the investigator to observe how the informant says something and how he looks when he says it. This makes the interview flexible and adaptable, but requires great rapport with the subject and skills in manipulation. Four conditions which.the case study should attempt to satisfy are: relevancy, where new avenues are opened between investigator and informant; reliability, where the investigator knows fact from fancy, but realizes that day dreams are sometimes most revealing; sufficiency3‘where the investigator makes sure that enough data is secured in order that a prediction may be made; and representative- ness, mich insures that the data obtained is a picture of the informant as he usually is. Certain skills are useful in aiding the investigator to meet these conditions. Skill in using sympathy ‘with the subject will enable the person doing the interviewing to imagine how he would feel in the subject's place. Empathy is a skill used by the investigator in trying to place himself in the role of the subject rather than to imagine how he would feel. In recipathy,the investigator achieves an understanding by noting the responses of his own personality to the acts of the subject. (10) The analysis of data collected for case studies should bring into relief the most outstanding facts with the importance of the findings indicating the order in which they are to be presented. 23 General truths should be emphasized in an analysis in respect to the objectives of the study being made. Inferences may be drawn from the facts disclosed in the data and in this way a basis may be given for further research work. PART TWO Table l--Composition of Family. Table 2-sSubjective Analysis of Social Economic Status of Families. Table 3--Subjective Evaluation of Social Participation and Acceptance. COMPOSITION OF FAMILY TABLE I 25 No. Father Mother Children Occupation ‘Age Years in Age Years in Sex Age Years in School School School INDUSTRY: 1 Chemical 42 6 39 12 F 12 8 'Worker F 16 10 2 011 Refinery :58 12 32 10 F 15 1c 'Worker M 14 9 F 2 Yrs. 3 Chemical as T2 36 T4 ”1? T5 16 worker F 12 8 4 Chemical' 34' ll 42 8 F 14’ 9 'Worker F 12 8 5 Carpenter :39; 12 45 10 F ‘14 9 F 5 Painter 49 8' 48 8 F 19 13 M 12 8 7 Mechanic so 6 46 7 M 1'7 12 M 11 Foolish F 14 8 F 12 Ungraded it, Room 8 Paper Hanger 4O 6' 39 8 F 17 12 1 F 15 9 F 15 5 M 11 3 F 8 Mo. BUSINESS“ 9 Meat Market 39 12 35 12 F 13 9 Owner F 11 7 M 5 1 M 2 Yrs. 1 Grocery store 44 8 4o 8 if 1’7"” 12 Owner F 13 9 1 Meat Market 52'"""‘T2‘ 43'7“ 12 "“F': 14 9 'ii Owner M 17 12 1 Service Station 47 12 42 12 F T8 12 Owner F 15 10 M 2 Yrs. Clothing Store 43 12 4o 16 F14" 9 Owner M 17 12 26 TABLE I -C ont- COHPOSITION OF FAMILY No. ‘Father Mother Children Occupation Age Years in Age Years in Sex .Age Years in 1 School School School 14* Grocery Store 40 12 39 12 3F 16 10 Owner F 8 3 15 Bakery 38 12 35 12 3F” W no Owner M 15 8 M 2 Mo. FARM 16 Farmer 37 12 36 12 F 15 10 L_L_ F 13 9 17JFarmer 44 6 43 8 M ’17 ‘12 F 15 10 IF‘Firmer 40 lo 38 10 F 15 10 F 8 s 19 Farmer 56 16 36 16 F 15 9 M 12 s 20 Farmer 50 1‘2: :57 12 M 16 10 F 15 s PROFESSIONAL 21 Minister 4o 16 38 16 F 17 12 M 5 1 M 1 Mo. 2 Teacher 46 16 41 16 F 14 9 M 9 4 2 anchor 39 16 T? 16 T 14 T F 10 5 2 Doctor 65 21 45 12 F 14 9 . F 12 s¢ 25’ Minister 46 16 42 15 F 14 9 M 11 6 TABLE II SUBJECTIV’E ANALYSIS OF 27 SOCIAL ECONOMIC STATUS OF FAMILIES No. Home Rent Gen} Car Radio Te1.*Home" Standards of‘ Owned App; Furn. Dress and Groom. 1 X F X X F A 2 X P P A 3 X G X X X G G 4 X F X X F A 5 X F P P 6 X G X X X G G 7 X P X P P 8 X P X P A 9 X F X X X F A 10 X P X X X P A 11 X G X X X G A 12 X G X X X G G 13 X G X X X G G 14 X G X X X F G 15 X G X X X G G 16 X G X X X G G 17 X G X X X G G 18 X P X P A 19 X P X X X P P 20 X G X X X F G 21 FREE F X X X F G 22 X G X X X G G 23 X G X X X G G 24 X G X X X G G 25 FREE F X X X F G F - FAIR P - POOR G - GOOD A - AVERAGE * Gen. App. - General Appearance which was rated as to the state of repair, neatness of buildings, grounds and rooms of house which were seen. 1' Tel. - Telephone 'i Home Furn. - Home Furnishings which were rated as to adequacy and quality. 1* Standards of Dress and Groom. the appearance they made. - Standards of Dress and Grooming which were rated from information given by the family and TABLE III SUBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF SOCIAL PARTICIPATION AND ACCEPTANCE Family Family Participation Participation with Contemporaries Social Music Number Rating Activities Rating Activities Accept- (a) (b) (e) (di anoe INDUSTRY 1 Poor Visit Grand- Fair Girl Scouts, Dancing S except parents Sunday School girl Poor Nothing hkFair Dancing, Shows, Sunday 8 2 School, Skating Good’ Church, Sunday Good' Dancing, Skating, S 3 School, Hobby Lodges, Parties, Club Movies Poor Drives Fair Girl Scouts, School U 4 Occasionally Affairs, Sunday School Poor Church for Poor Church for Mother S 6 Mother Good’ Church, Skating Cards, Parties 8 6 Parties, MOvies Ex. Dancing, Picnics Poor Nothing FEor Infamous Dance U 7 Hall 8 Fair SummerTTrips Poor Nothing U BUSINESS Poor Nothing Poor Sunday School, Girl 8 9 Scouts for Girls Poor Nothing Fair Wild Parties for U 10 Parents and Girls Poor Nothing Fair Lodge, Movies, U 11 Clubs, Golf Poor Church :Erx. Church, Dancing, 3S: 12 Cards, Movies, Skating, Parties I3 Poor Nothing Ex. Church, Cards, S Movies, Lodge 14 Poor .5hurch Fair Movies, Skating, OS Dating, Cards :11 IS Poor Drives Poor Dating, Movies, 8 Qccasionally Dancing Ex. FARM 16 (Dinners) Theaters, Ex. Skating, Dancing, 8 Movies School Parties, Lodge, Cards L“ (”I I TABLE III -Cont- SUBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF SOCIAL PARTICIPATION AND ACCEPTANCE i.’ Family FamilyParticipation Participation with Contemporaries Social Number Rating Activities Rating Activities Accept- (a) (b) (c) (d) ance 17 Fair Square Dancing Fair Sunday School, Skating 8 Dancing Ex. Church and Ex. Church and School S 18 School Activities Poor Church Poor Farm Bureau, Church and U for 19 School Activities Mother FZir Church and Fair Church, School, Skating, 6 20 School Dancing, Movies PROFESSIONAL Fair Church and Fair Church, School S 21 School Dating, Dancing Fair Visiting Wife's ‘Fair Church, Sunday School, 8 22 Family Dancing, Lodge Fair Church Ex. Dancing, Cards, Dates, S 23 School Parties, Movies Fair Drives EX} Rotary, Lodge, Cards 8 24 Dancing, Dates, Parties IFair Church and Fair Church, Youth Fellowship S 25 Drives except Girl 8 - Satisfactory U - Unsatisfactory (a) Excellent, good, fair, poor. (b) Church, movies, dancing, cards, sports, dating, member- ship in organizations. (0) Sports, school affairs, dating. (d) Satisfactory, unsatisfactory. PART II ALALYSIS OF CASE STUDIES In briefly summarizing and analyzing the twenty-five families selected for this study, many interesting and provocative elements might have been included. However, it is intended that this be limit- ed to a brief resume of significant factors which seem to relate to the objectives. Any subjective analysis may be regarded as controver- sial and the writer does not assume her analysis would necessarily be the same as that of the reader. The formation of independent conclusions as to the factors which are proposed as directly or indirectly influencing clothing standards, practices, the significance of clothing to the individual or the ways by which it is interpreted as affecting family relationships is to be expected. The families interviewed are presented consecutively by number and by occupational grouping. An attempt has been made to point out the significant and pertinent individual reactions and attitudes in family relationships. CHAPTER I ANALYSIS OF CASE STUDIES Family Analysis 1- Industry In presenting the D. family, it is interesting to note Mr. D. has but a sixth grade education, while his wife is a high school graduate. He came from a poor home where there was never enough money to provide adequate clothes and certainly no educational advantages for himself or his two sisters. The family lived by raising berries and keeping hives of bees. As a boy Mk. D. learned to iron his own shirts. His clothing was always clean, but patched, and he was sensitive about his poverty appearing clothes. His memory seems to be seared with an episode which he believes might have had something to do with the fact that he had no desire to go to school after the sixth grade. He was forced, through poverty, to wear a swallow tailed coat which his mother did not remodel for him. The sleeves hung over his hands and the tail flopped down his back causing the boys at school to jeer and call him.'Preacher D.‘ He recalled not having liked to go to church when a child because he didn't look as well dressed as the other boys, but did not tell his mother of this for fear of hurting her feelings. Mr. D. seems to be in complete accord with his wife on clothing practices in their family, except that he feels she should spend more time repairing the daughters clothing and less time in making new garments, inasmuch as he feels that she actually saves little money 32 by sewing for the girls. He is strongly opposed to his daughter, Shirley, wearing slacks. He considers them particularly unsuitable and unattractive on her because of her over-weight condition. Mrs. D., on the other hand, came from a comfortably well-off home at the fringe of town where her father was a supervisor of one of the town Wards for many years. Her mother and father experienced many unhappy years in their marriage which were due to her mother's rasping ways. 0": Mrs. D. feels that her mother was so foolishly fond of clothes through the years that she has been willing to sacrifice almost every- thing, even her husband's love and home, to procure money to spend upon diamonds and excess clothing. Even now at the age of seventy- five she still wishes to go shopping for new clothes and to visit the beauty shop. While Mrs. D. is fond of looking nice and feels that in buying all of her clothes ready made, she will look more stylish, she does seem to think sensibly in regard to her clothing needs. Mrs. D. is perturbed about her older daughter Shirley, who is unconcerned over her grooming and personal appearance. She and her husband feel similarly in respect to Shirley wearing slacks. She feels that Shirley should be much more conCerned over what she wears to Youth Fellowship meetings, but has failed to make her daughter feel that the Lord bothers to care what people wear when they pray. She recalled a childhood experience of having to wear to church a dress which she hated, and which was called her 'Prayer Dress.‘ 33 There is apparently some tension between Shirley and her sister, Sharon Sue. Shirley, who is greatly over weight, wishes to wear nothing but slacks and sweaters because she feels that these clothes will make her look smaller, but apparently none of the family seem.to realize this. Her grandmother hurt her deeply at Christmas time by saying she would not buy Christmas sweaters for a girl who took a size forty. She feels jealous of her younger sister's slender 'beauty and takes a defensive attitude by saying she doesn't care. In fact, she says that in regard to everything. Shirley feels bitter over the fact that her father and mother do not wish her to buy slacks even.when she has earned the money to pay for them. Sharon Sue, the younger daughter is pretty and likes clothes very much indeed. She has no serious problems in regard to anything except that she is ashamed of Shirley's appearance. .A feeling of inferiority as well as fear of ridicule in regard to clothing worn as a child predominates in the father's memory of his youth. He was not accepted socially by his contemporaries. He still feels the sting of ignominy over his patched, ridiculous clothing which he had to wear as a boy. The teen-age daughter is unhappy because of her personal appearance and attempts, in her own way, to disguise her gross over- weight by wearing slacks which she feels conceals her size. She is rebellious at what she considers parental interference and is sensitive, insecure and frustrated. She feels a ddep resentment toward her 34 grandmother for her critical attitude in regard to her size, and is jealous of her sister's trim appearance. She feels insecure with her school friends. The mother in this family has had her interest in clothing tempered because of unpleasant childhood memories related to clothing extravagance, and on the part of her mother, who placed the love of her husband and children secondary to her vanity and desire for display. Family Analysis 2- Industry In this family, Mr. B., the father, when left with a small daughter at the death of his wife, married in haste a second time. Family problems are primarily financial in character. His second wife is kind to his child and he in turn has love and respect for her son. Mr. B's health seems greatly impaired, although his wife says that he is only tired. However, he seems terribly upset by financial worries due to his wife's extravagances. He admits that he is in constant fear of bill collectors: His wife works occasionally but earns only a small amount of money with which to buy more clothing, which he feels, she does not need. Her excuse is that her daughter, Gladys, needs her clothes. Gladys earns these clothes by doing most of the housework and staying with the baby at night, while her mother goes out. Hr. B. states that he has tried to keep the truth from his children, but he looks and acts hopelessly beaten. He realizes this second marriage seven years ago was a mistake. He buys no clothing 35 for himself except essential work clothing. His daughter is saving her money earned secretly at school so that her father can have a new suit for the first time since his second marriage. hrs. B. blames her first husband for the failure of their marriage. She also holds a grudge against her father who never wanted to provide her mother with the proper things and kept her living in an isolated town. She recalled the fact that her father insisted that she have rubbers instead of a much wanted dress when she was a child. Hrs. B. grew up with the firm conviction that no man could ever keep her from having the things she wanted. She now refers to those things as, 'Just a few little things that I need.’ Her husband claims she is wrecking their marriage just as she wrecked her first one. There appears to be a great deal of tension between the husband and wife, caused in part by her extravagance in clothes, but there seems to be little tension between other members of the family. The father would be glad to have family prayer if the mother wmuld take an interest, but he does not indicate any particular bitterness over her disinterest. The young son is the one member of the family who likes to attend Sunday School, but that seems to be a matter of admiration for his teacher rather than any deep religious feeling. He works and earns money for all of his own clothing, and seems to have no resent- ment in giving his mother and sister some of his money. The daughter apparently has no resentment in having to wear 36 her mother's old clothing. On the contrary, she seems to be pleased. Both the boy and girl show concern over their father's health. Desire for personal display is predominate in Mrs. B.'s life. Her desire for excessive clothing reflects the social inadequacy which she felt as a child. Clothing extravagance at least contributed, if they were not basic, to the failure in her first marriage. Personal relationships between the husband and wife are strained. Shame and affectionate concern for her father's lack of decent clothing is so deeply rooted in the teen-age daughter, that she is willing to do without clothing for herself in order that she may get a suit for him. Undoubtedly there are more fundamental factors basic to the strained relationships between this husband and wife, but her ex- travagance and selfishness once again may wreck this marriage. Emily Analysis 3- Industry In contrast to the family just discussed, the clean, attractive home of Family 3 is cheerful and gay. A fine family relationship seems to exist, except for some antagonism between the mother and daughter. This trouble seems, to her, of rather a serious nature, and has re— sulted because the daughter feels that she is old enough to share in the clothing expenditures and should be allowed to select her own clothing. She objects to having her mother tell people how much she saves by sewing for her. While she admits that in all probability her appearance compares 37 favorably with that of her friends, she still insists upon her right to choose her own clothing and to buy them ready made. This resentment has caused her to be so rude to her mother that her mother was goaded into slapping her. There is also a basically similar reaction to being forced to go to Sunday School and to Youth Fellowship meetinxs. The mother comes from a family where religion was a dominant influence. Her father was, and still is, a Methodist minister. She recalled a childhood memory of a woman in her father's congregation who always remarked about the 'Pretty dress the little girl had on.‘ The woman never knew that her mother made her dresses, thus providing her with many more than she could otherwise have had. Since she, as a child, liked having her mother sew for her, she cannot understand her daughter's adverse reaction to having home made dresses. Her husband seems to agree with her inihis controversial matter, but wonders if they are handling Carol the right way. MT. C.,himself, likes to buy all of his own clothing and thinks that it may be because of the fact that his father allowed him to do so as a boy and now wants to continues to do so. Lack of freedom to choose her own clothing is the basis for the rebellious attitude felt so keenly by the teen-age daughter in this family. There is apparefliy lack of understanding on the part of of the parents, particularly the mother, in regard to adolescent needs and desires to be independent. The rebellious attitude of the daughter is associated with clothing as that is where her wishes are frustrated. 58 This teen-age daughter feels ashamed of her clothing, and to her it seems an indignity to have her mother discuss how much she saves in sewing for her daughter. The younger daughter, Sue, unlike her sister, feels very happy with the clothing her mother makes for her. Family Analysis 4- Industry The case study of the T. family consisting of Roy, the father, an almost handsome man of forty-four, his wife, Birdie, a garrulous woman of forty-two, Yvonne, the fourteen year old daughter who was practically born out of wedlock, and Jacqueline, the twelve year old daughter, is a most interesting family in many ways, but also sordid and pathetic. The mother, who was the first to be interviewed, showed herself to be a woman lacking in the best of taste when she greeted me by calling me by my first name. She was effusive, a bit ignorant and talked in a high pitched, whining voice. The fact that she kept pictures of both the deceased husband the the living one side by side seemed significant, as was the fact that she talked so freely about her first husband's horrible death. are. T. seems to want her daughters to have everything they want and need so that they will compare favorably with the other girls they know. She wishes this so much that she bribes them to do the house work'while she'works for a doctor at cleaning, in order that she can buy more clothes for herself and for them, 39 Jacqueline doesn't need many new clothes because she is given clothes which fit her nicely. Having to wear used clothing does not seem to trouble her, but considerable resentment on the part of the father is evident, for he feels that Jacqueline has as much right to have new clothing as does the older sister. Mr. T. disapproves the kind of clothing his wife buys for the older daughter. He refuses to allow his wife to buy clothing for him and feels that clothing is something personal. He seems to dislike red as a color, as evidenced by dislike for his wife's red hair, red shirts, sox, and ties. He refuses to wear them even if they are gifts. He is apparently ashamed of his older daughters appearance and would use new clothes as a bribe to get her to reduce. He seems to resent her looking and acting like her mother. Mr. T. is evidently very unhappy at home and said that he was leaving. He had not returned.heme on the evening of the interview, and obviously his wife had been crying over a telephone call she had received from a nearby city. Mr. T. showed quite clearly that he was not interested in his wife and.that his only paternal concern was for his little daughter, Jacqueline. He says that he and his wife have drifted along for years. She has accused him.of selfishly using the insurance money, left her by her first husband. He admits the truth of this charge, although he cancelled an order for a new car because his wife wanted a fur coat. mrs. T. feels that her husband is not behaving himself, but 40 seems uncertain of the extent of his infidelity. She is resentful over his indifference, which almost verges on dislike for Yvonne, the older daughter, and feels too, that he shows partiality between the girls. When he gave Jacqueline a twin sweater set for Christmas and gave Yvonne anklets, he showed this. Mrs. T. resents her husband expecting her to work at menial cleaning to buy her own clothes. He, on the other hand, feels that she does not have to work, but does so because she is so determined that the girls have everything to make an impression on other people. Both girls seem loyal to their mother as well as their father, and seem happy together. Yvonne shows concern that her mother feels so strongly about the insurance money and that her father does not really share his money with them. She also feels concern over the fact that when her father gets home at night, there is quarreling. The only tension which is evident between the two girls is due to lack of agreement as to the reason for the unhappiness between the parents. Both girls show deep concern over the father's continued absence. Yvonne seems to sense that something is amiss between her father and mother. Both girls show a preference for the color blue for dresses and with Yvonne it seems to be because it is the only dress she has which her father likes. Yvonne has been unhappy, too, over a pink party dress which she were to the J-Hop. She was embarrassed by her escort going in his shirt sleeves. Both girls seem to feel that they have enough clothing. .. l -.. . v i- ‘ 4 7, ‘ -ul _ n . - _. ‘ an .... ‘v ' I " we . 1.. . u' I ‘ I .m ‘ u. 1 .g ‘ A ‘ . 3‘ _. . I” .J. .1 \ _I ‘4 LI 41 Shame and fear of social acceptability over weight, are problems related with clothing in the case of the teen-age daughter in this family. Her feeling of personal inferority and uncertainty is increased by the father blindly striking out at her through her clothing. ‘Actually, clothing as such, has nothing to do with the critical relationships which exist in this family. It is primarily a case of deep antagonism between husband and wife. The wife is willing to work in order that her children may be socially secure, but she, too, feels a lack of social status for herself as well, and is determined at al- most any cost, to rectify the situation for her daughters. Family Analysis 5- Industry This family is, perhaps, one of the most interesting ones encountered. Family 5 consists of Reuben, the husband who is thirty- eight, Hertha, his wife, who is forty-five, Janet, who is fourteen and Hary, age four. There appears to be a very great deal of tension which might be traced to several things. Mr. N. has a high school education and his wife has but an eighth grade education. Hrs. N. seems to feel that her husband constantly reminds her of his superior education and this in turn, makes her resentful of her daughter going to high school. Janet, is likewise resentful over her mother's lack of under- standing in regard to her clothing needs, use of cosmetics, boy friends, dances and movies and is unhappy to the extent that she talks of leaving school and getting a job. Her grandmother, who lives in 42 Chicago, seems to be her one source of comfort, although it would appear that her father would make her happy if he could. However, he lets his wife rule him even though he resents having her do so. This has been allowed because of age seniority. It seems easier to let her decide what amount of money she may allot to food and clothing from the allowance of thirty dollars per week which he turns over to her, and from which she saves to give to her church. The wife gives more to her church than she provides her family in clothing. Both the husband and the four year old daughter referred to the clothing taken from.the 'barrel.’ Hrs. N. collects clothing for her church.mission and takes from it for herself and family. This antagonizes her husband and he refuses any part of it. He prefers to buy his own clothes and will not permit his wife to have anything to. do with them. Religion also seems a barrier in family relationships. Mr. N. ‘would like to see his wife wear something other than dark colors and even little Mary, not old enough to feel resentment, wistfully wishes that her mother's dress were pink rather than the black which Hrs. N.'s church almost demands. Tension is also caused by compulsory attendance at church. There also seems to be a question of satisfactory marital relations, which appear to bear a relationship to mrs. N.'s religious beliefs. Little Mary has developed no resentment toward her mother who makes her feel very guilty and naughty for having spilled ink, and 43 puts her to bed as punishment. Although the mother sews for her four year old daughter, the garments are not childish in appearance and ‘what she makes over for Janet hangs in the closet as long as possible, for Janet hopes that the garments will be outgrown before she has to wear them. However, Janet has failed in this scheme and has had to wear the clothing. The girl has but one outfit that is satisfying to her and that is a 'sharp' blue dress given her by her grandmother. There seems to be constant bickering over Janet's admiration of her friend, Betty, whose cosmetics she uses and whose questionable magazines she shares in secret. In this family, the mother seems to have no understanding of her children's unhappiness because their clothes are unlike the other children. The teen-age daughter does not feel that she belongs in her own age group, or is socially acceptable in appearance. She is afraid of ridicule and feels inferior because of her clothing. Religious belief seems to have caused the mother to become a fanatic and to her, clothing is a moral protection and not for social status or personal satisfaction, which seem desirable to her daughter. The teen-age daughter in her attitudes and behavior is quite normal. Family Analysis 6- Industgy Family 6 seem to be very close in every respect. There is ample evidence that there is only slight disagrement in regard to ‘wearing shorts for tennis and the occasional wearing of plaid slacks 44 by the teen-age daughter. The fact that Mrs. HS. left home at an early age because of her father's drinking, physical punishment and his refusal to provide any- thing but ugly, ill-fitting clothes, seems significant. The fact that she went completely wild in respect to her clothing needs when she was no longer under her father's control is evidenced by her purchase of an expensive and unsuitable plumed dress, and that her wedding gown cost so much that she was unable to buy the necessary slip and hose to go with it. The fact that after her marriage she found.it difficult to use :hrhywnn: in clothing purchases seems to be linked with her early years at home. Her husband's patience and kind- ness seems at last to have taught her control and developed an instinct for managing the family finances. There appears to be some family tension due to the presence of Mrs. HS.'s aged father, who lives with them and is financially depend- ent upon them. The old bitterness between herself and her father has been put in the background. However her father persists in refusing to like his blue shirt because his daughter always liked bright colors. He prefers black so it won't show the dirt and appears to have a part- icular aversion to any acceptable standard in grooming. All of the family, except the twelve year old son, Gary, feel ashamed of his appearance and behavior. Strange as it may seem, Hrs. HS. attends church, although she had no religious training as a child. Her ultimate interest in church 45 may be traced to the fact that her husband, because of his early religious training, resolved that his own family should be taught tolerance, rather than religious creed. Mr. HS. appears to have a deep respect for his father, who, at the insistence of his mother, was an itinerant preacher, although his wish was to do other work. Mr. HS.'s tolerance for his wife's clothing excesses seems to be linked with the fact that his mother, in her dark dress and black shawl, always looked the same to him, and he enjoys having people look individual and different. Hr. HS. still keenly feels the unfair treatment dealt out to him when a child by his twin brother. This is definitely linked with religion, since, as a child, he was punished by having to learn Bible verses both for himself and his lazy brother. He still has no affect- ion or respect for that brother, who says a Judas blessing at the table in order to deceive their aged mother, who lives with him, into thinking him a good Christian. In this way, the brother gets money from their mother which he squanders on liquor and wild parties. In this family it is quite apparent that Mrs. HS., during her girlhood, was ashamed of the poor, ill-fitting clothes she was forced to wear. This undoubtedly accounts for her excessive interest in clothing as an adult. The inadequacy of her clothing and social insecurity as a young girl is reflected in her excessive purchases of clothing when she at last escaped her father's dominance. She, as 46 well as the others in the family, are ashamed of the deplorable standard of grooming and appearance of her father. This family, in spite of many handicaps due to their different backgrounds, seem well adjusted and tolerant in their relationships. Family Analysis 7-Industry Family number 7 , consisting of Buhl Senior, fifty years of age, Emily, his wife who is forty-eight, Buhl Junior, the eighteen year old son, and two daughters, Nancy, fourteen and Ruth, twelve, and a younger son Johnny, who is eleven, is most interesting. MT. R., who left school at the age of twelve, impressed me as one of the most uncouth, evil speaking, ill-smelling bragierts I had ever encountered. His family background was not in any way conducive to the building of good moral standards. His father, who was a drainer in one of the breweries in Milwaukee, was a confirmed drinker. He took his son, as a mere baby, to the brewery and left him there whenever he wanted to go on a drinking bout. His mother left his father when he was very small. His home environment was such that he received no religious training or acceptable social standards as a child. Although he had no training, he was able even as a small boy, to have had mechanical aptitude and interest. He seems to have pronounced mechanical ability, but had no training for it. His father died when he was fifteen, and he worked at the brewery until he was called into service in the first world war. He entertained himself by drinking as his father had. He recountered in the interview how 47 he met his wife. It was after his discharge from the army that he was making his way from Muskegon, where he had been fired from a boat job, to the Straits of Mackinaw, that he got a ride into the town near where he now resides. Walking down the street, he says he spied a girl all dressed in yellow, and 'rarin to go.‘ It was she he married. Apparently he is still interested in his wife for he takes her to shows and dances, but apparently has not changed in his amorous interests and conduct. He recounted the incident which resulted in a public brawl between himself and his wife at an infamous hall known as the ”Midway.” It was in the interview with his daughter that the degrading incident of his having approached her with sexual intent was told. When she resisted and spat upon him in defiance to his advances, he vulgarly ruined her one good dress in retaliation. He has alienated his son, who knows nothing as yet of his advances to Nancy, but who is bitterly ashamed of his father. As a parent, Mr. R. is not interested in clothes for his children and thinks that his wife's discarded clothes are plenty good enough for his daughter, Nancy. In the interview with him.it was apparent that he had liked flashy clothes for himself. His pin-striped trousers and vivid green sweater and soiled and grease encrusted work clothing which he was wearing bears evidence of his standard of taste in dress. Emily, his wife, left school at the age of sixteen while she 48 was in the eighth grade. She was adopted by'a Mrs. A. when only a baby, so knows nothing of her own parents. She seems to have no appreciation of what her foster mother tried to do for her. She re- counted that as a girl she was nagred all of the time, particularly about going to church. She also resented the fact that she was repeated- ly reminded that her clothes must be 'nice quiet colors, such as navy or brown, and that they must not be too tight across the bust.’ Mrs. R.'s appearance and preference for cheap, gaudy dresses and red shoes, which she matches up with her blue and green dresses, reflect her standard of taste in clothing. Apparently she selects them in an attempt to hold her husband's interest. It is economically necessary that she work to buy them, for when her husband goes on a prolonged binge, he is not earning and is unable to provide any money for clothes. 'When she goes to the Beanery to work, it is necessary to leave Nancy at home with her brother, Johnny, who is completely deaf and apparently an imbecile. The fact that Nancy is behind in her school work does not seem to matter to the mother. She agrees with her husband that Nancy should be satisfied wearing her old dresses which she does not even bother to alter for the girl. She is slovenly in appearance and her intelligence appears to be limited. She blames Ruth's and Johnny's dullness to the fact that her husband was intoxicated at the time of conception. There is no evidence that she feels or takes responsibility for the care of her family. 49 The two younger children, Ruth and Johnny, are both mentally deficient. Both Buhl Jr., the teen-age son, and Nancy, the older daughter, feel that they have nothing but each other and are ashamed and humilated by their family. Buhl Jr. has been accused by his father of being 'too damned pure ta take a drink.‘ The son lives in town and goes tosschool. His ambition is to finish school and earn enough money to enable him to help his sister Nancy through high school. It is evident from talking to the boy that he is intelligent. His deep feeling of shame for his family seems to be due to disgust at his father's excessive drinking and the mental deficiency of his young brother and sister. He resents his father and mother going to movies and dances and leaving Nancy at home with the younger children so much. He also resents his mother working in the beanery and keeping Nancy out of school. He is ashamed of his parents' crude taste in colors, their general appearance and resentful that Nancy must wear her mother's cast off clothes. He, too, once had to wear his father's old clothes which were not made over, but had to be worn just as they were. He seems to have no special interest in clothes beyond liking ties for gifts. He hOpes to be able to buy clothes for his sister so that she may look nice. While he does not seem to feel that he lacks clothes for himself, he does feel that the parents of girls with whom he would want dates would not approve of himnwhen they learn of his family. Nancy, who would be an attractive girl if given a chance, is 50 in a deplorable state of mind and exhibits a real hatred for her father ‘who has treated her brutally while intoxicated. She has been afraid to tell her brother, in fact, so afraid that her plea for secrecy was pitiful. Much as the girl wants clothing of her own, she has refused her father's offer of money on his terms. Due to her mother's excessive use of cosmetics, she dislikes make-up. She will never forgive her father for ruining her one good dress. She hopes by next year, to look like the other girls when she is a freshman and in town with her brother. She too feels the same shame of her family that is felt by her brother. During the interview the younger child exhibited no normal interest in a stranger being in the house. The boy, however, was intensely interested in a pair of bright red driving mittens I had with me. He could not hear, but held out his hand pleadingly when they were shown to him. Since he had no use for the mittens, it may be assumed that it was color alone that held appeal for hhm. The girl, Ruth, showed no interest in anything but a soiled comic book, which she could not read. Her attitude upon being asked to go to bed was one of rebellion and resentment. The role played by clothing is important and significant in this family in that clothing is used by the father as a means of tempt- ing his daughter to do wrong and it is used by the wife to hold her husband's wandering attention. '3th has been no social stability for the father and mother in 51 this family and standards of dress are quite different for them than for the majority of families studied. Sexual attractiveness seems basic to their clothing choice. Both have come from broken homes. Their clothing reflects their lack of social culture. Two teen-age children, more intelligent than the rest of the family, have risen far above their sordid environment, but both have feelings of inferiority and shame in regard to clothing and family. Clothing is but a mere reflection of the degraded standards which the parents exhibit as parents and individuals. Family Analysis 8-Industry The history of family 8 likewise presents some interesting facts in regard to clothing. Mahlin, the father, contributed little as to his childhood memories concerned with clothing except that he wore a stocking cap on his head so much of the time that the girls called him.'stocking cap S.' The cap was worn because of ear trouble and was meant to keep the ear warm. He feel in love with Jennie, his wife, when he was eighteen, because she did not make fun of him and because he liked her in her blue dress. His intelligence is apparently not of the highest. He has such a religious complex that the doctor has forbidden his going to church. His wife has 'put the Bible away,' because, 'Mahlin's mind becomes confused.' She has also forbidden one of the Baptist women to write him.letters about.religion. He feels certain that no matter what 52 happens, the 'Lord will provide.' He is grateful for the gifts of clothing that seem to have been always forthcoming. Both he and his wife speak of clothing being given to all of them continuously. Jennie, his wife, seems to be the financial manager for the family, making the money stretch as best she can. She and her husband seem to have kept the children from worldly ideas. However, Greta, now a senior in high school, has gone to the show a few times, but doesnflt do it much because she feels it is sneaking to do so. Mrs. S.'s memories of her mother are seared with shame. After a poverty stricken life in a tenement house, into which the snow drifted in the'winter time, her mother left her drunken father and lived in town. Two of the children were sent away but she and her sister, Violet, who was. ill, went with the mother. In due time, the sick sister died and was buried in Jennie's dress. It was her one good dress and direly needed. This, of course, is but one indication of poverty. Soon, however, she was given plenty of dresses only to learn later in a rude, harsh manner that her mother was involved with men. This bitter manory is no doubt responsible for her bringing up her daughter as she has. Some interest in clothing is shown by each of the children. Two of the offspring from.this marriage seem definitely subnormal in intelligence, although they are far from being foolish and it would seem doubtful if theiJ'ambition of sending all of the children through. high school could ever be attained. 53 .Attitudes toward clothing and any family relationships seem to have their origin in their inability to adjust to a fundamentally serious crisis in their early childhood. The existing tension between Mrs. S'. and her daughter, which has lasted through the years, is based on.the daughter's refusal to have anything to do with her . mother because of those dresses which were supplied by her mother's shame. She has had her entire life colored by the shame she felt as ' a girl and still feels in her adult womanhood because of the clothing she were. She was not only ridiculed, but socially ostracized by her contemporaries when they learned of her mother's shame. She lacked social acceptance and still feels inferior and insecure in regard to clothing and social status. The father's feeling of being ridiculed as a child in regard to his clothing has left him with bitter memories. There is intolerance and lack of understanding on his part against individuals who possess nice clothing. The fact that Mr. S. feels that an individual should accept that which the Lord is willing to provide in the way of cloth- ing may be due to his religious fanatacism, or perhaps limited native intelligence. His reaction to clothing is but an example of his reaction to many situations and relationships with which he is unable to cope. Family Analysis 9-Business In presenting family 9 it should be noted that this family is 54 outstanding in the absence of tension between the various members. There is considerable difference in the ages of the children, two girls being eleven and thirteen, and a boy of five and a boy two years old. There seems to be absolutely no problem between the children. In.fact, the older daughter says that what she likes best at home is the companionship of her younger sister. The thing she likes the leastzis that her mother insists upon her father buying their clothes and she feels it is not dignified to have him.buy her undergarments for her, and her father always buys pink underthings and she wishes it'was white. Both girls feel that they are old enough to do their own buying, but their mother is sure they will either lose the money or waste it. Some tension in clothing resulted from.an incident in which Mrs. TB. failed to pay a neighbor for some clothing which.was given her to take home for the girls to try on. She justifies not paying for it by saying that this neighbor was perfectly able to give it to them.since her husband had not gone to war and that she had only two children instead of four as they had. The neighbor, after having given Mrs. TB. a year in which to pay, has talked with her husband. Mr. TB. is nmw at the point of saying that there will be no more gifts of clothing for the children at all. However, the girls like the clothing that is given them.far better than that which is made by their mother. They like some things that are not washable and 55 'which have more trim than the cottons their mother makes for them. The older daughter, Jane, feels embarrassed when her mother fails to change her dress for Girl Scout meeting, even though the mother is not the hostess. The younger daughter is never ashamed of her family, except perhaps, when her father goes about the house in his shorts. In this family there is a peculiar importance attached to clothing by the mother in that she is willing to spend money for her own, but is equally willing to cheat in regard to paying for used clothing for her daughters. This is a reflection of her jealousy of a neighbor who can spend more for herself because of having fewer financial obligations. Parental dominance in regard to choice of clothing is felt by both the teen-age daughter and her younger sister. These reactions seem entirely normal but there is obviously a lack of parental understanding in regard to adolescent children and their normal attitudes. It is perhaps relevant to sug est that the incident concerning Hts. TB.'s rationilization in not paying the clothing, stems from her desire to have a social status comparable to that of her neighbor's children. family Analys is lO-Bus iness Family 10 is presented as the one with pr0)1ems related to nmflonality. The strange combination of Polish and French nation- alifies in this family seems to cause no trouble between the husoand and wife, although Mr. RB. is very proud of his heritage and Mrs. RB. very bitter about her Polish blood. They appear to have a successful grocery business, having sold one store for a good profit and bought another which is likewise making money for them. The reason for the profita 16 business at present may be due to the sale of liquors. Mr. R3. as a small boy was left with his French grandmother, a devout Catholic, but he does not consider himself a very devout Catholic. He recalls his old yrandmother having to work so hard to keep the grandfather alive that she had no time to go anywhere. He recalled the little round cap his grannie made for him and how he wore it until he was out of her sight and then stuffed it in his pocket to avoid being laughed at by the boys. He gives due credit to his revered grandmother for all he ever learned of being a gentleman. After in- heriting a sum of money, he married and finally bought a store. He gives his wife and daughters an allowance and has no objection to any- thing they buy. He does, however, object to their wearing black, as he feels black suitable only for funerals. As I talked with him in the store, he covertly watched his wife through a half open door and exclaimed, "Damn her: She's at it again!" Obviously he questions his wife's fidelity. The intervieW'with Mrs. RB. revealed that she evidently is in trouble with her church, and said rather vehemently that she would not tell why. She stated that once she had almost left her family for good and would have except that her younger dau hter, Nancy, was there 57 to be cared for. The fact that Mrs. RB. was not dressed at ten o'clock in the Inorning, and that the living room.was li tered with bottles, is significant. b'he is very close to her daughter, who is 'just like' her and who shops with her for clothes. Her feeling of shame and inferiority )ecause of her Polish nationality comes perhaps from the fact that as a child her father beat her and forced her to wear funny clothes and a shawl and she was called 'Polcoat' at school by the other children. The younger daughter, Nancy, is quite different from her sister, Delores. Nancy is more in love with a horse than a boy and wants to 'be sonmthing', as she expresses it. When she grows up she has great plans. 8he is ashamed of her mother, whom she says tried to dress too much 'like a girl', and other hidden things which she said she could not tell. It would seem that those things might be the drinking parties and.the grass skirt which her mother sometimes wears at the dances in the home. The older daughter, Delores, was most unsatisfactory as an interviewee. She feels she does not have a sufficient allowance. She openly admits that parties are given in her home for 'the kids' at which most of them get a little intoxicated. In this French-Polish family there is lack of social status which has been felt on the mother's part from her early childhood when her 'Old Country' clothing was ridiculed at school and she was a social outcast in the eyes of the other children. This lack of 58 acceptance embittered her and her excessive purchase of clothing, perhaps, is but an attempt to compensate for her unhappiness as a child. Sexuality is apparently basic with her desire for flashy, clothing. The teen—age daughter's attitudes and behavior follow the same relative pattern. The French father recognizes the moral de- gradation which exists. fiis wife seems not to sense the influence she exerts over both husband and daughter. Nationality, religion, morals and indirectly clothing, all contribute to tension in this fami 1y. Family Analysis ll-Business Family 11 presents an entirely different picture. This family is a family divided by two religions, Catholic and Protestant. Although Mr. CB. states he is a poor Protestant, his wife apparently is an ardent Catholic. She was assured when she was married that there would be no conflict over religious affiliation. Mr. CB. finds it difficult to stand by and see his teen-age son and daughter urged into the Catholic faith when the understanding between him and his wife was that when the children were twelve years of age they were to decide for themselves which church they would attend. Mrs. CB. feels that it should not matter to her husband since he now attends no church at all. The daughter and son both express concern as to the canflict over religion between their parents. ‘Mr. CB. lost his mother at a very early age and was brought 59 up by housekeepers, who failed to make him.go to church or Sunday School. The one exception was 'Auntie Dahl' who made some effort in his behalf. He recalls a sad Christmas experience when as a small boy he was invited to a neighbor's home for dinner because his father was ill. Upon his arrival, he was told that they could not have their Christmas spoiled by a boy in his old clothes, whereupon he fled. This experience has remained in his memory as a bitter one. His clothing needs as a boy were solved by his father taking him to Jewish 'Uncle Dave's' store and telling him to 'fix him up.‘ The Jewish storekeeper would do this for a couple of months at a time. He says that perhaps he was made lazy by being made to assume no responsibility in his own behalf and that it may account for the fact that now he does not bother himself about selecting his own clothing. His wife is annoyed by his lack of interest in clothing, as evidenced by the fact that he wears sweaters and slacks more than a suit. Mrs. CB. feels that her antipathy toward made-over clothes has carried over from.her childhood when her brother said her coat made her look like the rag man. Their daughter, Betty, is almost completely indifferent to clothing and allows her mother to choose her clothes for her. She prefers jeans and this irks her mother and brother because she is so much like a boy. Even her father thinks that perhaps he will have to have a talk with her about it. Dislike of shorts is shared by the 0.4., . L. n N -« . . u . q,_ "- . ' u ', a” ‘ . ‘H. . .. "-..l . 6O entire family. Betty intimates that her mother does not keep her dad 'darned up' because of her unusual activity in club work. She also serves on several boards of one kind and another, and plays amateur golf which takes up a good share of her time, and consequently she is away from home a great deal. The son has been accused by his mother and father of caring too much for clothes. He says that he is buying all of the clothes he can in order that he can be sure of having enough clothing to carry him through two years of school at the University, where he wants to study journalism. He has kept this fact from his parents as he does not wish any trouble as to the school he attends. He fears that his mother might insist on a Catholic school. Neither father or mother has shown particular interest in sending the children to college. This is Mr. CB.'s second marriage, the first marriage having been when he was very young. He divorced his first wife because she was not trying to help him build up his meat market business, but was only a 'clothes horse' and spent the money as fast as he could get it in the cash register. The major conflict in this family is a matter of religion and it is not reflected in clothing problems. Although clothing seems of no particular importance to Mr. 08., as is shown by his careless dress, it has been connected with sensitivity over the unkind criticism cor-- cerning his appearance. He has felt the stigma of a broken marriage caused by his wife's clothing extravagance. His longing for the beauty \n..‘ 1“. \n ” 4 -- .. ~. ‘1 61 of feminine clothing for his wife and daughter is a reflection of his earlier life. The indifference of the daughter to personal appearance would suggest she is as yet but a child emotionally and psychologically. Family Analysis lZ-Business The teen-age daughter in family 12 has such an interest in her clothing that she even sacrifices friendship to attain a smart appearance. mr. and Hrs. RF. both have had a high school education and both.are ardent Methodists. They seem to manage financial problems, due in part, perhaps, to the fact that Mrs. 1 . has saved on family clothing expenditures by an ability to sew. She makes all of the clothing worn by herself and her two teen-age daughters. She has been able to keep her daughters happy and contented with their clothes, so much so, that her husband feels that his daughters are taking unfair advantage of their mother and wearing her out by allowing her to sew so much for them. He seems to resent the fact that the girls make no effort to sew for themselves. Mrs. RF., taken from an orphanage at an early age, learned how to sew from.her adopted mother, who was a dressmaker. According to one of her daughters, their mother is almost a professional dressmaker and both daughters value her opinion highly in matters relating to their personal appearance. The entire family seem to be style and fashion conscious, 62 although Mr. RF. may be the exception. However he approves of his family looking 'just right' and says that his own personal appearance is of importance to him.in his business. Mr. RF. recalled an incident of his childhood which is of interest. He was forced to wear the long black stockings which his sister, who was an invalid, had never worn out. Because of this there were times when he almost hated his invalid sister. In the EF. family, hats and hose are worn to church, to weddings and to funerals. Hose are worn any time that heels are worn and this is a standing rule. Shorts are not worn on the street due to natural modesty and because of Mr. RF.'s antipathy toward them. There seems to be fairly good family relationship, except that both parents, and especially the father, are anxious and angry over the fact that their elder daughter is deserting the Protestant religion to become a Catholic. Her a proaching marriage to a boy of that faith appears to be causing apprehension and unhappiness. The mother is unhappy for both her daughter and her husband. The younger sister is feeling sorry for herself for two reasons. First, she will miss her beloved sister, who seems to be her closest companion. The girls at school do not like her and she believes they are jealous of her clothes. She has heard remarks made which indicate that older women as well as her school companions feel that she and her sister and mother are too well dressed. Desperately, she is afraid that when Donna goes away, her paternal grandmother will come 63 to live with them, and she will have to share her room with her. Marilyn is also afraid that her older sister will expect her mother to sew for her after her marriage and realizes that this will cause further antagonism.on the part of her father. In this family there is a feeling, definitely, against the use of charge accounts, due to an experience of Mr. RF. as a boy. Both girls show a specific aversion for their grandmother F., although they seem to have nothing definite against her. They resent her criticism that they are too sophisticated for their age. They regard her as sanctimonious. Tensions found in the RF. family are based on religious differences. Clothing causes unhappiness to the extent that the younger daughter feels she is unpopular with other girls because of her many clothes. In intangible ways the interview revealed a standard in appearance which was so much better than her associates, that they are jealous and will not tolerate her superior manner. The father believes the daughters are selfish because they allow their mother to work so hard to make fineir clothes. The wife also expresses a slight impatience because the husband will buy no clothes for himself. Fundamentally, it is religion which causes tension in this family and clothing is not connected with it. The significance of the role of clothing is shown by the teen-age daugher's excessive pride in her clothes. She feels the lack of group acceptance anong her school companions, but persists in her desire to be outstanding in the things 64 she has mud wears. The mother's choice of clothing for herself and family is a reflection of the frugality of her wearing apparel she had as a child in an orphanage. Ridicule by childhood associates for wearing girl's stockings persists in the father's memory. While he shows an inclination to avoid choosing his own clothing, he still attaches importance to the appearance he makes, and that of his family. The appearance of his family as a reflection of social and economic status is far more significant to him than any personal satisfaction which clothing gives him. Family Analysis 13-Business Strange shame and tension over clothing is evidenced in family 13. This family seem well adjusted, except for two things which are causing some trouble. There is a grandmother-granddaughter complex in that the daughter, Susan, who loves her grandmother, has found she can handle her grandmother like a veteran in getting anything she wishes in the line of money or clothing. She is paid for the work she does in the small shop which the grandmother Operates in her home. The grandnother has been in business many years and while not wealthy, she is comfortably well off and feels that it is her private concern what she pays Susan. They pick out clothing carried by the wholesale houses, thus providing Susan with a large wardrobe which her mother fimlsis both beyond her years and their pocketbook. Susan's mother as a girl, suffered tortures because her mother 65 sold corsets and displayed them in her shop. It made her unhappy among her friends at school and at church, for they evidently chided her about it. {She feels that her mother is, even now, too fond of color and clothes and fashion. She refuses to allow her mother to buy for her as she does for Susan. Mrs. AF. herself, often goes shopp- ing for clothes, but returns home with chemistry apparatus or books, instead. The grandmother feels her daughter is not 'style conscious' and does not understand a girl of fourteen. She encourages Susan in her revolt against parental control and insists that it is not fair to curtail the child's desire for clothes. bhe insists she is going to pay Susan so that she may buy the clothes she wants regardless of what the parents say. Mrs. AF., a neat, intelligent, college trained woman, is obviously provoked by her mother's interference with Susan. She is likewise concerned over the fact that her daughter swears. Mrs. AF. does not impress one as being a person concerned with style or fashion. Mr. AF” who owns a clothing store for men, seems to like good clothing, and feels that he is doing mankind a service by helping than achieve a 'well-dressed look.‘ This view is shared by their son, Milton, who says that his father is 'tops' with the high school fellows, and that they turn to him for advice in regard to their clothing and other problems. - As a boy, Mr. AF. recalls that he had two things which bothered him in regard to clothing. He had to wear knee pants 30 long that he was over-age for them and felt ashamed. When at .-.. .0- u I v H, 'O.-. , 3" 66 last he had his first long pants, they were ruined on the first night of wearing. It was to him at the time a tragedy and as such in his memory. He determined to be a druggist, as he had been sent to the drugstore so many times to get something with which to sober his father, and thought he could then get the drugs from his own store. His interest held until he became a trained pharmaceutist. He found it necessary to work as a clerk in a drugstore to earn enough money with which to buy a store of his own. The cherished drugstore became a clothing store, which has proved to be successful. The aged father, a confirmed alcoholic, is housed in a room in the AF. home fitted with the necessary equipment for barbering. The old man occasionally is sober enough to take care of a member of the family or an old crony and immediately spends the money for more liquor. The boy, Milton, has no grievances and nothing but respect for his parents. He seems to idolize his father in particular. Present tension in the AF. family centers about a mother- daughter-grandmother situation, with the grandmother and granddaughter in complete accord. There seems to be no meeting of the minds as to the importance Ofcflothing in the family. The grandmother's encouragement of the temrege daughter in her rebellion against parental control is resent- ed by Susan's mother, as is the fact that her mother thinks she is netwetldressed. The role of clothing for the grandmother is one Of 67 excessive interest which has persisted through the years, but not shared by her daughter. Her indulgence in subscribing to her grand- daughter's interest might be explained as a projection of a deep satisfaction which she has had from clothing for so many years and which she was unable to foster in her own daughter. The basis of resentment on the part of the girl's mother is probably the inherent critical and managerial manner of her mother. It has been basic to a resentment toward her mother as a child, as an adult and particularly as a parent. Fami1y_Analysis l4-Business The JJ. family present an interesting picture of a family of strict German Lutheran religious background. In many ways this family present a totally different picture than any of the other families. Both the husband and wife come from German stock. Mrs. JJ.'s father, coming to fiiis country as a young man of eighteen, went to Chicago and was employed by a large clothing concern. Within two weeks, he was placed over American born workers in the factory. Having trained as an apprentice in Germany before coming to America he probably was more highly skilled than his associates. Eventually he was able to establish his own tailoring shop in which he employed twenty men. The fact that he made all of the clothing for his young daughter of dark materials, which.were nicely tailored, seemed to make the child rebel. Her mother thoughttme child's father must know best, even though Georgiana wished 9‘- 68 for bright, pretty things like the other girls had. Unlike her husband, it would seem she had no deeply rooted feeling for the German Lutheran Church. Mr. JJ. was brought up by his parents and was taught to work for everything he had. The discipline administered to him.was old fashioned, and he seems to feel that parents of today are too easy going with their children, although he admits that he fails to adhere to all the restrictions under which he was brought up. He seems to be more conservative than his wife, but there is no evidence of tension of any kind between them. MT. JJ. recalled from his childhood days the long black stock- ings and the prickly woolen undennear which he had to wear. He also recalls the fact that food was not eaten in his parent's house until it had been blessed. He has a guilty feeling HOW”Wh6n he admits that the only blessing ever said in their home is a little rhyme by their eight year old child. He blames no one, but seems to be bothered by it, indicating that his very strict up-bringing is deeply ingrained in his attitudes, standards and so forth. Both Mr. and Mrs. JJ. are interested in clothing. He would seem to lean upon his wife in choosing his clothes, but he fools her into thinking that he chooses by himself. His interest in color is simply that he likes to have finings match, while his wife, with her girlhood experience of having had only dark material for clothing, is moretunderstanding of her young daughter's preference for color and 69 appearing like her associates at school. The elder daughter, Marilyn, seems to be well adjusted and happy. Marilyn works in the store for her father and wants to know how much pay she is going to get, and can know what clothing she can purchase. ‘Although her father gives her money when she asks him for it, there is no stated amount agreed upon and if there has been a slow week in the business, he does not pay her anything. Since she spends the greatest part of her money on clothes, it causes her considerable unhappiness. There also seems to be some tension between Marilyn and her father in respect to the wearing of shorts. She feels that her father is sometimes a little prejudiced and because of that feeling, she values her mother's opinion.more highly than her father's. She feels ashamed because they are driving an old car. The small eight year old daughter seems to have no problems of any kind, and seems interested in clothing and particularly likes the color red. The father in this family reverts to his childhood eXperiences of frugality and the fact that every penny had to be earned twice over. In handling his teen-age daughter, he fails her through lack of under- standing. Ee does not see the necessity of reimbursing her for work accomplished. To him, clothing must take a secondary place and economic security:must be assured before any money can be spent for wearing apparel. 1‘he daughter, who wishes to appear as well dressed as her friends,ie hurt and feels inadequate in handling a situation which is 7O personally significant to her. The father's childhood experience of discomfort in regard to the wearing of long underwear and stockings should help him understand an adolescent viewpoint. The mother in this family is much more understanding of her children's desires, due to her childhood experience of feeling a lack of social standing in her age group because of the clothes she wore. Family Analysis 15-Business Family 15 seem to be well adjusted and happy, although there are evidences of tension. Mrs. K. married very young and has a seventeen year old daughter and an infant son, who is only a few weeks old. The daughter has resented the baby because of the great difference in her age and.that of her baby brother. Before he was born she was apprehen- sive as to what her school companions would say and she was sensitive about her mother's appearance during her pregnancy. It made such an impression upon her that she has refused to wear certain of her own dresses because she thought they looked like maternity dresses. She feels that her mother should sew for her since her grandmother can sew. She does not feel that the family income is fairly divided, because she never knows in advance what she is to get. She feels that a real plan for spending would take care of that. Ronnie, the fifteen year old son, seems to be a bright attract- ive boy, but is at least two grades behind in school for his age and his faumm'is very sensitive over this. His father feels that his 71 mother gives him too much spending money and money for clowhes, but Ronnie feels that his father does not understand how fellows dress. His mother feels that her son is not to blame for being retarded in school and says that his 'damned teachers are to blame for this,’ and that 'by G-- she told them so.’ Mr. K. and the children are ashamed of Mrs. K.'s swearing. It would seem.that Ronnie values his father's opinion.mere than anyone elses, althou h says his father does not know this. Ronnie feels that it should be the head of the family who decided aoout money matters and that all Lhe joy is taken out of his getting any money because of the arguments his parents have over it. It was the father who readily admitted that his son was retarded in school, although the sister had referred to it, but the mother had not at all. Mr. K. seems rather proud of the fact that his family is dressed in the latest fashion and he thinks his wife a good money manager. Therefore, he does not resent her not attempting to save money by sewing, for he feels she has more important things to do. He asks that his women folk do not wear 'men's clothes' nor shorts, but they have no special feeling in this regard. Clothing assumes importance for both the teen-age daughter and son in this family, for the daughter in that she Eas dressed to over- come a feeling of personal inferiority caused by protruding teeth, which has detracted from her appearance. The pretty clothes have given her a feeling of beauty and self confidence in spite of 72 the physical defects a)out which she has been so sensitive. The teen- age son is very interested in clothes but feels insecure in regard to them and frustrated by the strained relationships between his parents, which seem to inevitably result wienever his mother buys them for him. Apparently both the daughter and her father feel that Hrs. K. dis- criminates between her children and as a result the daughter is jealous of her brother. Family45nalysis 16-Farm Family 16 is noted for their social participation, engaged in by the family as a whole. The A. family live in an attractive house on the farm which they own. They seem.happy and contented. They do their shopping for clothing in the city, go to the theater and attend County Town Hall Series of entertainment. It is true that Mr. A. likes to do his shopping at the Montgomery'Ward and Sears Roebuck retail stores, for at these stores he can buy his clothes as well as farm supplies and equipment. He does not seem to mind that his wife cannot saw for their two daughters for he feels that she does many other things of more importance. He feels that his personal appearance is important, even though he is a farmer and that being a farmer is no excuse for looking poorly groomed. He prefers to choose his own clothing, saying that he thinks he knows as much as a woman would about choosing a man's clothes. He admits that they do have clothing problems in their family, but that before they become serious, his wife always has solved them. He is proud of the appearance his I l _, p. 'l‘..._. '. . ,. . ‘ .- Kc ‘4‘ "H ".1‘ ~" u... r .a J: , M... .. .. ': ~.. V - ‘N-J'. II - n. ,2. e__~ . x ”A” .,- ‘ Ln 4 I". ".‘. In H ‘ ., a"! \".‘ 1., .. " . . “as 5‘ ‘I 73 family makes. Mrs. A., an attractive blonds, having finished high school as her husband before their marriage, seems perfectly satisfied with her home and family. She is happy in having a checking account on which she and the girls are free to write checks for personal shopping as long as they never write a check when the account if under fifty dollars. The girls take little advantage of the fact that they too, are allowed to write a check. Both are given an allowance in cash, but their mother usually shops with them, allowing them to choose. But she usually writes the checks. Mrs. A. in the interview recalled the fact that as a child she detested long legged winter underwear because it made her legs 'bulge,‘ and she finally could stand it no longer and cut off the legs from a brand new suit, resulting, of course, in antagonizing her mother. She also recalls that when she was in the sixth grade she was forced, through influence of her grandmother, to wear a new rain cape and hood and a bright, shiny pair of rubber boots for protection from the spring rains and extremely muddy roads. She hated the boots and caps so much that she paused each morning; at a small foot bridge which crossed the creek and hid them under the bridge. At night she picked them up and wore them home. This went on for some time until the C21'~‘.=.nd.mother,becomim; suspicious, had her father follow her to school. When he found her hiding them she was severely whipped. As a result of this interference, she has never liked her grandmother. She 74 recalled, too, that her mother sewed for her and she usually liked the things she made for her, but there was always a quarrel about the length of the skirt or the lowness of the neckline, in any dress that her mother made for her. Although Mr. A.'s people went to church occasionally and always said Grace at the table, he feels that it's much more important that his daughters observe the decent things of life and learn to live in the right manner than it is for them to say Grace at the table. He recalled that as a boy he was forced to say Grace for a whole month because he went to the front of the church during a revival meeting as he had 'gotten the power.‘ The trouble was not in having gotten the divine call, but rather in the fact that he had gone to the front of the church without a coat on, and that as he stood there, a suspender snapped and his trousers nearly fell off. There seems to be some slight tension existing; between the two teen-age daughters. The elder girl does not like to share her room with her sister because she will not pick up her clothes, leaving them strewn all over the room and the fact that she wears her under- wear and anklets and wants to have dresses like those of her older sister. The older girl wears a long dress for playing her accordian at the broadcasting studio and the younger sister seems to be jealous over the fact that her sister plays over the radio and can have a 1011,; dress. The fact that the father and mother gave her this long dress as a Christmas present makes no difference to the younger 75 sister, for she also wants one of her own to that she may be ready for next year. The older sister likes to be individual and not have her younger sister share the same friends, clothes and marazines. This father is given a feeling of bein' an equal in personal and social status when he appears well dressed. Social status for himself and his family seem secure to him.when he provides the means with Which to clothe the family adequately. The mother's childhood memories of parental interference in regard to style of dress are vivid, as is the shame of physical punishment administered because of her refusal to wear protective clothing for fear of ridicule. Her dislike of her grandmother, who was dominating and interfered with her clothing, is as real now as it was in her childhood. The teen-age daughter re-acts in a perfectly normal manner to her younger sister's faults in regard to her clothing. She feels more than socially secure when she is dressed in a formal for her professional appearances. She feels individual and no longer a child. The younger daughter's feeling of jealousy is a normal reaction of adolescence. Family Analysis l7-Farm In family 17, Mr. and Mrs. JC. seem happily adjusted. They live in an attractive home which is owned by them. The furnishings in this farm house are tastefully arranged for comfort and appearance. fir. JC. has been able to provide adequately for his family although he lacks formal education. He is pleasing in appearance and manner. 76 He appeared to be very proud of his family and seemed to be an indulgent father. The fact that he was brought up without a mother and his family was socially shamed by the occurrence of incest between his older sister and their father, was brought out by Mrs. JC., who is a rosy- cheeked, happy looking matron. She is devoted and interested in their two teen-age children, who apparently live happy, carefree lives and attend high school in the near-by village. Mrs. JC. has memories of her childhood clothing being closely supervised by her father, who demanded that his family attend a church of one denomination in the morning and one of another in the afternoon. It was her mother who eventually saw to it that her daug “Tier was dressed properly. The immediate family is free from tension. This family is secure and well adjusted. There is evidence of parental understanding and generosity.. The teen-age daughter and son feel no lack of personal security in any way. The mother's under- standing of her children's clothing needs stems from her childhood experiences with her stern father. Her memories of the moiher who braved her father's wrath in order that she might be dressed as the other girls, have remained. She had felt a lack of social acceptance which her mother rectified. The basic factor underlying the mother's clothing problems as a girl was religion. I:31:in Analysis lB-Farm There seems to be complete accord in clothing problems in 77 family 18. They present an interesting case study particularly because of color and the new religious movement. This family seems to have few problems of any kind and they feel satisfied with their life in general. Both the father and mother attended school through the tenth grade. lhe ninth and the tenth grades were taken in the Advent School at Holly, Mighigan, as both Mr. and Mrs. J. come from Advent homes. This father and mother have apparently brought up their three children to be as faithful to their religion as they, themselves, have been. The eldest son, now eighteen and married, attended the Adventist Academy at Cedar Lake. His sister, Jacqueline, now in the tenth grade, attends this same school. She plans to work later and help her younger sister, Nancy, through the same school. Mr. and Mrs. J. are thinking seriously of taking an upward step in their religion, to what is called by them the ’I Am' movement. This means that each person can be in perfect accord With God and that each can be perfect. If 'I Am' is truly believed, they can glean certain benefits from the divine spirit. This religious cult presents an interesting angle in respect to the meaning of color. Soft colors are supposedly divine, with pink, light blue, lavender, and yellow all making for divine guidance. White stands for purity, While black lets in evil spirits.. Mrs. J. states that if they join the 'I Am' upward church movement, it will necessitate her sewing more than she does. She thinks this will cost them more money for most of their clothing is now given to them by rich members of their church. i M“. 78 Thus, if they join the new movement, it will create a financial problem. Most of the family clothing problems are settled by Mrs. J., who helps her husband choose a new suit once in six years. She permits her daughters to help choose the relatively few things they buy in clothing and manages to keep them in fairly good style by window shopping and then altering for herself and the girls the clothing which has been given them. b'he does not want the family to appear conspicmusly different from other people. All of the family, with the exception of Nancy, the ten-year old daughter, feel that church affairs and religion are more important than personal adornment. Mrs. J. said, ”Matthew said, If anyone wants to go with me, he must disregard himself and take up his cross and follow me." °he also said that in their church it was more important to spend themselves for others than to have nice clothes. The recreation indulged in by this family is of the church, and it's functions and their reading material is likewise of a religious nature. There is a slight tension between the two sisters in regard to the size of the younger girl's waistline. She says that she does not care when the boys tease her at school, but she does dislike having her sister make remarks. The older girl is slightly ashamed of her younger sister, because she sometimes looks as though she were a sack of wimt tied in the middle. The younger child seems to want to wear the things given her just as they are without waiting for lul 79 her mother to make them larger around the waist. This family has been found to be practically free from tension of any sort. keligious sanction seems to dominate their personal choices in dress and recreation. Even sixteen year old Jacqueline said the "hair was put on our bodies by God" when questioned as to the use of depilatories. Both she and her mother possess a growth of hair on their arms. Deoderants are not used in this family because they think soap and water enough. They do not believe in attending shows, dances or anything of such a worldly nature, but this seems to cause no tension. In this family clothes are relatively unimportant except as the economic status of the family is related to religion, in that certain aspects of a new religious faith will jeopardize them financ- ially if the major portion of the family clothing must be purchased. Religious belief dominates everything else, such as dress, cosmetics and grooming. The teen-age daughter and her younger sister are not rebellious. Egmi ly Analysis lQ-Farm Family 19, who own their home after an apparently difficult struggle, present unusual and heart breaking problems, some of which are related to clothing made at home. The farm home is run down and rather delapidated in appearance due, perhaps, to the fact that every available cent of money was 80 needed to pay the indebtedness on the home. Mrs. M. indicated that this was partially due to the fact that her husband made little or no effort to try to improve or repair the buildings. She also indicated in the interview that there had been continuous trouble between them since the day of their marriage. She had been amazed to find that she was not even allowed to buy shoes for two years or a decent coat or any other clothing and was not permitted to write checks upon the family checking account at the bank. This state of affairs had been going on for seven years. She had recently accepted a job of sub- stitute teaching, but had been dismissed the day before my interview with her. The executive who had hired her told her that her clothes were not right for the work and that she was untidy, that her slip was always showing and that she was not a good example for girls. As she talked with me, a nauseating body odor became apparent and she mentioned that she was repellent to her husband. She said she. could not talk things over with him and that he was antagonized by her presence in their home. To have given up her own religion to accept that of her husband, had also been a difficulty. Mrs. M., a trained home economist, sews a great deal, but her personal appearance is anything but pleasing and the house was cluttered with her sewing. She excused this by saying that she cannot saw and keep house at the same time, as her husband says his mother could. It is obvious that her mother-in-law has contributedto friction in the home. when Mrs. M. married. she had had no idea that ‘ _I . - . ~ in .1... an a o ‘..-4. . s. {A ...1 4' 1 1 \ ~‘I “ .4 - . . x .. v: K. '4 ..- .3 . a '- I 81 her husband's mother was to live with them and she has found it difficult to ask her mother-in-law's permission for everything she does. The fact that the older woman had a third grade education in contrast to Mrs. M.'s college degree has unquestionably complicated a difficult home situation. Her husband's active participation with the Farm Bureau organization which takes him away from home much of the time likewise adds it's complications. Mr. M. corroborated much that his wife had told me, although made only veiled observations and insinuations. He feels that it would be wicked for his wife not to make-over clothing as his mother did when he was a boy and seems impatient and ashamed of the appearance of the house. He indicates that his wife thinks a country school is not good enough for their son. Both of their children seem concerned over their mother's un- happiness and feel that it would be good for her to work. If she worked, it would enable her to give them an allowance and they had evidently planned how they would Spend this personal allowance. Both children show an interest in clothing and accept the mother's home sewing with good grace. Both wish for extended privileges in school functions for the next school year. This family appears to be approaching a crisis in their lack of adjustment, and Mrs. M. indicated that she and her husband had talked of separation. The mother's education has developed a stand- ard of dress for her with which she is unable to cope. Her difficulty 82 in adapting her standards to her husband's miserliness has caused frustration to such an extent that she has become slovenly in appearance. The clothing problems are an expression of incompatibility, approaching a crisis. While in this frame of mind, she has lost self confidence and keenly feels social disapiroval of herself and the stigma of economic inadequacy and the social ostracism of her children. Family ;‘na1ys is 20-Farm In family 20, which consists of Mr. WS., who is fifty years of age, his wife of thirty-seven, a son of sixteen and a daughter of fourteen, there is no apparent tension which relates to clothing. Except for the fact that Mr. W3.said that if hiS'wife sewed for the family, the tragedy of her infidelity to him.might never have occurred. There was no other comment. The mother is thirteen years younger than her husband and very attractive, but she has been indiscreet. She is adored by her children who know nothing of the incident. The charming farm home is headed by a mother who cannot sew. However, the teen-age daughter loves to have her grandmother make over clothing for her. In spite of the discord that has been in the family in the past, the home seems to be a happy one at present. Since'the interviews with this family failed to bring forth pertinent information, it is difficult to make any analysis that has any validity. Clothing appears to be a source of satisfaction to the children in that they love to see their mother in beautiful clothes. m .. . .4 at! 83 The father likewise takes pride in her appearance and is interested in keeping her young and attractive. His toleration of her infidelity and keeping her well dressed indicates his feeling of insecurity in being married to a woman who is thirteen years his junior. His comment concerning his wife's sewing as a factor affecting their marriage seems to be merely rationalization. Family Analysis Zl-Professional Mr. PC., a Methodist minister, was born and raised on a farm near a small town. As a boy, Mr. PC. liked to shop in town with his father and mother and he is now able to indulge his liking for it be- cause his wife is rather tied down at home with a new baby. Mr. PC. is proud of his wife. He has but one grievance against her, which is her insistance upon his wearing nothing but white shirts, of which she buys three for him each Christmas and birthday. He feels that if other men can wear colored shirts, that he, too, should be allowed this privilege: He wants his family to look well dressed and in style and feels pride in their appearance. He feels that he has need for a new suit about once in two and a half years. If it were not for the restrictions based on traditional conformity, and the criticisms Of his congregation, he would not need to have so many suits. He does not seem entirely tolerant of having to wear black for funerals and navy blue or black for certain other church functions and is unwilling to be restricted to those colors. While he feels definitely that .7 h \‘ .. I .‘ I .l~ 1" TV -- ‘ x. 1 n " . I ‘1 ‘ ‘I . 1 (N u ,n I I x . . .1 p . .u ‘- . | .4 a .‘ \." . w 84 heads and legs should be covered in church, he feels that his wife and daughter should not be restricted and critisized by his congregation and made to feel that she is different from her group because of being a minister's daughter. He and his wife agree that there are certain conventions in dress which should be observed, regardless of the profession of the father. The minister's wife seems in perfect accord with her family and says that she is better able to understand her daughter because of her own experience as a child. She lost her mother when quite small and was taken care of by an older sister until she was twelve. The father re-married and the new step-mother changed many things in the home, proceeded to 'spruce up' the clothing of her twelve year old step-daughter and life in general. She said that her winter coat was a 'monstrosity' for a girl of that age, and without consulting her about pattern or material, began making her clothes. The elder sister had thought she was managing the clothing problem well for her little sister and was heartbroken at her stepemother's interference. When she was in high school, the family ties were broken. Mrs. PC. feels that her husband and daughter should have the major share of the family clothing budget. She protects Joan from having to wear only made-over clothing. She says her husband feels that she is a good manager without realizing that half of her own clothing comes from the Methodist offerings. Mrs. PC. feels that their fimfily habit of no one going to sleep in anger is the key to 85 their good family relationships. The seventeen year old daughter, Joan, is now able to earn money for her clothes by singing with a trio over the radio. Joan plans to surprise her mother with the gift of a new dress. She colored when asked whether or not she ever wore clothing that had been made over. This would indicate that she feels selfish and ashamed at having permitted her mother to wear all of the used clothing. lJuring her mother’s recent pregnancy, which she resented and was ashamed of, the members of the Ladies Aid gave a shower of clothing for the new baby. Some of the women had said that her mother had asked that this shower be given for her. This is primarily responsible for Joan saying that she will never belong to the Ladies Aid, and is tired of the church 'treating them like paupers.‘ Joan says that she likes her formal dresses best of all, for she doesn't feel like the Methodist Church in them. She also resents the fact that the church sometimes wants to pay some of her father's salary in coal and other commodities instead of money. Bruce, the young son, seems happy with the made—over clothes he sometimes wears. He showed a great interest in the color blue and his slacks 'with straps.' Resentment of the restrictions placed upon free choice of clothing by his wife, congregation, church traditions and corventional conformity underlie the resentment Mr. PC. feels. These same restrictive influences have resulted in a rebellious attitude in the 86 teen-age daughter and her resolve never to wear clothing that has been made-over. Made-over clothing is a symbol of inadequacy to her. Her rebellion stems from a sense of insecurity in the socio-economic status for herself and her family. She fears lack of acceptability if she is not as well dressed as the others. The standard of clothing which she feels necessary for her own self confidence places unwarranted significance on made-over garments. The fact that she is willing for her mother to wear them has produced a feeling of selfish guilt. The mother apparently still feels the smart of parental dominance in the clothing she had to wear as a child, and it seems that it has given her a real understanding of her daughter's critical attitude and the psychological adjustment which she is having to make in her attempt to find personal security and social acceptability. Family_Analysis 22-Professional Family 22 presents a rather unique case study in that MT. H. was born and raised in China, along the banks of the'Wbosung River. The first fifteen years of his life were spent there and he then came to America for his college education. The immediate reason for the retuniwas that his mother, who had been widowed before his birth, lmd mnuracted tuberculosis and had to come home for treatment in a sanitarium. Mr. H. lived with an uncle and aunt near Wheaton University, and worked his way through school. His mother returned t°ififine.and remained there, hoping that her son would join her and 87 and assist in the missionary work. Instead, he came to Michigan and taught history and coached football in high school. It was here he met Doris, a college trained grade teacher, whom he married. Mr. H. had intended to take his bride to China, but their daughter, now fourteen, was expected and prevented the original plan from being carried out. The mother stayed on at her beloved missionary work until the baby was about two years of age. Then she again came back to the United States ill, but was in dire need of a home. Since that time, she has intermittently lived with them and in a convalescent home. Her son explains that her disease is arrested and that her place is with him.and that there is no danger of contagion to the children. His wife does not share this point of view and admits that she is worried about having her mother-in-law in their home and around.Ann, who is thin, almost to the point of emaciation. The grandmother seems to have an antagonistic critical attitude toward.Ann. She criticizes her hair-do, wearing slacks, jeans or shorts, the number of dresses she has and her use of lipstick. In fact,.Ann said that 'the minute Grandma comes, she makes everything her business,' and dreads having her living with them. Ann's father favorslue mother living with them.and says that they can never do enough to repay his mother for all she has done in her noble work for China. It*would seem perhaps, that the grandmother's resentment ‘Unmrdlmr grand-daughter might be due to the fact that it was she "h0 Prevmted her son's return to China. He says his dislike for 88 women wearing men's clothes and exposing themselves to the public is not because his mother feels that way, but rather to his having been raised in China. Jimmy, the son age nine, says he wishes to go to China because that is where he would be living if his father had stayed. He seems to have no particular antagonism toward his paternal grandmother, but says positively that his mother doesn't want her as she is afraid he and his sister will become ill. Jimmy's interest in clothes is con- fined chiefly to the wool shirts his mother has made him, being particularly fond of the black and white plaid shirt because it stays clean. However, he would rather have a football. Both children receive an allowance but there is no planned spending of the family income. Hrs. H. has a budget which her husband doesn't bother about, but she admits that she has given up trying to follow it because it doesn‘t work. She feels her husband is very careless with his clothes and spends disproportionately more for his clothing than anyone else in the family. She does not seem to resent this and feels that he needs a lot of clothing because of his position as a teacher. She says he is fond of sport clothes and that they cost a lot. Her husband's version of his expenditures for clothing agreed with those of his wife. He buys a new suit once in two years and likes everything to match. He likes to do his own shopping for clothes and dislikes having any other person around when he is trying 89 on something. He dislikes loud, bizarre ties that are on the market, and says that he will only wear those given him if he likes them and will give them away if he doesn't. Mr. H. feels strongly that his wife should spend more money on her own clothes and not be worrying about sending the children to college. He said that he would be more comforta>le at school functions if his wife were a long dress when the occasion required it, and when the other wives were so dressed. Mrs. H. says that she has no time to think about her own personal appearance. The daughter reluctantly says that she has never been ashamed of the appearance of her family but that her daddy might have been. It would seem that she, too, was referring to the long dress occasions. Ann has an active interest in making doll's hats and wishes to go to school and take a course in millinery later on. Ann and her mother seem to be in accord in every way but one. Ann is satisfied with her mother's sewing for her and that she is allowed to choose some of the things and her mother pay for them, The use of deferred credit and charge accounts are not among the clothing practices in this home. The controversial issue between Ann and her mother is a personal problem involving group practices. Ann Wears used clothing, but there is no evidence of resentment. Her maternal grandmother, and her favorite, is the one who sews for her, especially if it is a garment which has to be made over for her. 90 Both children seem to love their maternal grandparents. The grand- mother is well dressed and apparently style conscious, for Mrs. H. says that her mother always knew just how to dress. The tension in this family is fundamentally due to a mother- son complex. His wife and children are secondary to his mother's need and affection. The teen-age daughter is nagged by her paternal grand- mother and the tension which exists between the two is perhaps reflected. The disappointment her grandmother felt in her son not returning to China to assist in the missionary work is reflected also. Mr. H.'s expenditure for his clothes relates to the importance he attaches to the maintenance of professional status. Similarly the significance attached to his wife's appearance at a formal social function indicates that social-professional status for himself is more important, in many ways, than other values. [Emily Analysis ZS-Professional Family 23'present many problems. This family, as well as their parents, have been residents of Gratiot County most of their lives. Both Mr. and Mrs. HM. are college trained and Mr. HM. teaches. His Wife had expected to teach in the current school year, but the coming baby prevented her doing so. This upset the family budget and necess- itated watching expenses closely. The reduced income has made it necessary to forego the purchase of a new car and davenport, which they planned to purchase. There seems to be nothing but admiration between the husband and wife in this familY- 91 In interviewing Mrs. HM. she recalled the childhood difficulty she had which pertained to clothing. Her twin sister always managed to take the dress that had no holes and all of the buttons sewed on. She and her twin fought over the color which each owned, so when their mother in desperation marked their dresses with colored thread, each girl knew her own dress and was obliged to wear it. Mr. HM. related that a boyhood happening was when he and his brother, Bob, ruined their clothes just before church time in order that they might stay at home. They disliked church because the minister always patted them on the head and called them 'little men,' and then proceeded to recount to their father and mother their mis- deeds. He recalled too, that the first time he called on a girl, he ruined his new pair of shoes by stepping into a hole filled with mud and water. He also recalled that on another occasion he was over- whelmed with embarrassment when he found that his shirt tail was hang- ing out in the back. Mr. HM. feels that personal appearance is important in his profession and that while students are very untidy in their dress, they would readily criticize a teacher for being so. He is interested in choosing his clothes for fit and style, but wishes his wife to help him choose the material. Both husband and wife help the two girls choose their clothing which is purchased. many things are given them which are made over for the girls, but this seems to cause no unhappiness on the part of the girls. It does cause unhappiness, however, when the girls want 92 the same article of clothing, and the quarrel must be settled. Both parents are concerned over their fourteen year old daughter, Connie, whom they think too sophisticated for her age. Their concern is due to her lack of interest in church, her refusal to take her turn at saying Grace at the table and the fact that she wishes to attend Youth Fellowship only as an opportunity to go elsewhere with the boys and girls instead of remaining at the church, and she feels the baby an intruder in the family. Connie seems to feel that the new baby has spoiled everything and has prevented her having a new party dress. She makes her younger sister care for the baby and refuses to even sit with her tiny sister unless she is made to do so. In fact, the only time she is interested in helping is on Sunday, as a device to escape having to go to church. Her father says that she is afraid she will miss the boys who follow her about. She is forbidden to date. She does not participate in fmnily affairs. In fact, there is nothing which she especially enjoys at hone. She readily admitted that the thing she likes the least at home is the new baby, for she feels that because of the baby she couldn't have a new party dress for the Dance, and other new clothes, the new davenport and the car. She says that what the baby doesn't take, her father does, because he needs clothes to maintain his position. There is some 111 feeling between Connie and her father over the facttmat he dislikes her to wear shorts. He feels that she is too ohitm wear them. He used a new bicycle as a bribe to prevent 93 her wearing them, but Connie 'double crossed' him and as soon as she had the bicycle, she started to wear the shorts again. He is deter- mined to prevent a repetition of this offense and has said that he may take the bicycle away from her and give it to her younger sister, Mary. There is some antagonism.between Connie and her grandmother S. who sends both the girls clothes for gifts, always making wure that they are alike in every detail. Connie resents this and feels that she wants to be dressed like her best friends but not like her sister. Connie refused to wear a dress which was made over from her mother's maternity dress. She was ashamed to be seen with her mother during her pregnancy because of her appearance. Mary, not only loves her grandmother's gifts, but is delighted that the clothes are alike. Tension exists between the father and daughter as well as between the sisters. Clothing adequacy for maintaining his professional status is a keenly felt need in the case of this father. He feels that he must make a presentable appearance comparable to the standards of his associates whether or not there is a new car or davenport. Connie, the teen-age daughter in this family feels economic insecurity and fear of lack of group status. She is extreme in the adolescent reactions and behavior and presents a problem in parent relationships Whidiis a difficult one to handle. She rebels at all parental contnfls in respect to clothing, as well as social behavior. While lwr’ahntudes and reactions which bear a relationship to her parents, ‘3. v ?\ 94 her sister and grandmother, are normal for the adolescent girl. Their intensity is such that they will not only carry over into her later life and make for unhappiness, but she may not develoo social and emotional maturity to enable her to make satisfactory adjustments in new relationships and situations. Family Analysis 24-Professional Family 24 presented many interesting problems. The father is a medical doctor widely known and apparently loved by his family. During the years of the First World War, he served as a surgeon and at the end of the war brought home a French bride who was only seventeen. His French wife came from a wealthy home where she had been accustomed to servants and a way of living unlike the one to which she was coming. In America, she learned to bake the health bread which her husband insisted upon. She learned to sew beautifully and feels that she must have unconsciously learned this skill from Celeste, one of the seamstresses who had allowed her, when she was a child, to look in the mirror while she was being fitted. Although Hrs. BR. was of the Catholic faith she did not attend church in this country because it was different. She recalled that in France she had always dressed in white to go to church and that her father and mother were always dressed in black. She feels that she keeps her family in style by shopping, by listening to the girls talk of what others wear, and by looking through magazines for ideas. She wears black only because the doctor 95 finds it hecomirg to her, but she, personally, does not enjoy the color. rI'he doctor feels that his wife has style and dresses in a manner superior to any of their daughters. In talking about his own clothing he says that it relaxes him to shop. Since his profession calls for an immaculate appearance, he maintains a wardrobe of six suits. Ihe doctor does not object to his daughters wearing slacks, shorts, jeans and this type of clothing providing they observe one rule of dresses on the street and every- where else unless his wife has accorded them special permission. There is no apparent disagreement in this family which relates to clothing. The entire family are very proud of their mother and her accomplishments, and the fact that she comes from a wealthy French family. The children are enthusiastic over their mother's good taste in clothing and her ability in sewing and making over clothing for them. This family seems to be an unusually happy one. They are well educated and seem to enjoy each other and cultural things of life. The great difference in the age of the parents seems to have in no way adversely affected happiness in this marriage and in bringing up seven children. Clothing assumes an importance for the father in this family in that he feels the need of dressing well because of his professional status. He shares a personal interest which his socio-economic status Permits and understands the feeling of pride his children have in their mother's appearance and their desire to imitate her in appearance. The 96 mother feels the necessity of keeping her family and herself well dressed so that they may live up to the social standard set for them. Although money seems no barrier in providing adequately for the individual needs and desires in this family, it should also be noted that good management and unusual skill on the mother's part has made possible a standard which other families in this study have not achieved. Family Analys is 25-l’rofessional Family 25 consisting of Mr. JR., forty-six and his wife who is forty-two, Margaret, fourteen and John, eleven, live in a rather nondescript white house rather badly in need of paint and repair. hr. JR. is a minister. He told me about his father who was born in the wild woods near Jackson, Michigan and as a boy battled wet swamps, wild animals and other privations. Mr. JR. '8 chief memory of his clothing when a boy was being forced to wear a girl's ribbon tie on his blouse as a punishment for having drowned some baby ducks. Mr. JR. says that he leaves the management of his family as well as his finances to his very capable wife, since he is away from home much of the time. He has come to think of the color black as the conventional one to be worn by a minister, but says that his wife feels that this is merely stuffiness in him. He feels that he has failed his children in some way since they do not care especially for church. He feels rather keen resentment that his congregation expect so much from his children. Mr. JR. expects his children to attend a church college 97 when they finish high school, but says that they will have to help work their way through. He feels that they have the same right to clothing which are in keeping with accepted standards of dress in college. He disapproves of the extreme fashions and feels that garments which expose the body or draw attention to it are the fore- runners of bad morals. He subscribes to shorter skirts than are now currently fashionable, providing they are not immodestly short. He does not believe that clothing restriction should be used as punishment. mr. JR.'s only major problem is a feeling of inadequacy in regard to his children and their indifference to religion. Mrs. JR. has always lived in urban surroundings, although her grandparents lived on a farm. Hrs. JR. recalled that as a girl she had a special Sunday dress for church which she was never allowed to wear at any other time. She feels that her daughter, Margaret, has no regard for Sunday 'best' clothes such as she had as a girl. She feels, too, that she must have failed with Margaret in a religious way as she says that Margaret resents her father feeling that she has any obligation to him.in religious matters. Hrs. JR. makes practically all of the family clothing including shirts for John, the son, and feels that she saves a great deal by dotm;so. She does not approve of extremes in fashion, but that she cmnleok well by being moderate in her dress. She says that since herlnmband likes her in quiet, dark things, she only splurges once in a While. The only point on which she and her husband disagree is I q d 98 that he always insists upon going with her to buy her coats so that he can see that she gets a black one. He feels she would be too conspicious in his congregation if she wore bright clothes. She makes her minister husband's small salary stretch by making over clothes for herself and Margaret, who does not seem to resent having them rather than new ones. Mrs. JR. says that they do not plan the spending of the family income together as she feels the children are too young to take responsibility in such matters. The children do not have a regular allowance, nor does she. She would like to have a part time job to supplement their meager income, but her husband will not hear of it. She enjoys selecting clothing for her family, although she does not buy much of anything for herself. Margaret, 9. rather plump girl of fourteen, feels strongly that she should be allowed more freedom in buying things for herself and resents her mother saying that she is too young. She says that she never heard of a minister having any money, although she does not know how much her father makes. She too, would like very much to earn money, but her parents feel she is too young to do more than occasionally sit with the children in one family whom they know. She says that when she does earn money, she will not give any of it to her parents but will spend it all for herself. Margaret was sarcastic and bitter in her attitude toward her mother about her clothes, in being allowed to buy nothing for herself and not being considered old enough to work. The fact that she is fat and nothing looks right on her and has had no dates, since no one has asked her to out, and that she was a lone 99 wall flower at the school party to which she was allowed to go, add to her bitterness and unhappiness. She is resentful that she cannot see any movies she wants to or read any magazine she wishes. She regards the magazines and books they have at home as 'pretty stuffy'. She likes their record player best of anything at home, but does not like the religious music. She does not belong to any club and would like to be a Girl Scout and thinks it unfair that her mother won't allow her to have a Scout dress. Margaret does not want to go to college, but would like to work in the telephone office. She is not satisfied with her personal appearance, but hopes to rectify it when she can buy clothes for herself. She has an additional problem in personal appearance besides that of being fat, for her face is broken out. She resents her mother saying she is too young to use anything but soap and water on her face. The thing which she dislikes most at home is the fact that her mother goes around mornings in a bathrobe and wears work dresses that are ripped Lmder the arms and allows her slip-to hang below her dress. By comparison, John seems to have no problems at all. He does not care especially about dressing up and has no problems more serious than being made to wear the top to his pajamas and wear a hat. There seems to be a great deal of tension in this family be- tween the mother and daughter, although the mother may not realize the extent to which her daughter feels resentment. The chief trouble seems to be concerned with the mother harping upon the daughter's -- lOO inability to buy for herself, restriction on the type of entertainment allowed by the parents and that her mother is always saying she is too young. There is tension over religion between the daughter and both of her parents. Economic status, professional standing and religion are all closely interrelated with clothing problems in this family. The father's rigid pattern of his religious belief and adherence to the conventional standard of dress expected of a minister, results in such restrictions upon his wife's and daughter's standards in clothing adequacy, that they feel personal and social discrimination. The daughter is openly rebellious, although there is no such admission on the mother's part. Margaret feels she is not socially acceptable in appearance to her own group, not alone because of her father's restrictions in respect to clothing styles, but because of her unpleasing physical appearance. Her fear of ridicule is acute. Although she feels adult she continues to be treated as a child and is allowed no freedom in making her own clothing choices, even though they would be meager. ‘H CHAPTER II S DIP-Alum RY Interpretation of the Role of Clothing for the Individual. The significance of clothing to an individual is determined by, and ultimately affected by a number of different factors which may be regarded as primarily social or psychological in their basic concept. Social Status. Achievement of social status within the individuals own age, professional or occupational group, and status in the community is fundamentally significant in determining the role which clothing plays in that individual's life.\While social approval may vary in inten- sity with the individual and show wide variation in its relative importance at the different age levels or social culture, it has always constituted a fundamental concept. However, the criteria by Which social approval is measured is as variable as the culture of the society in which one lives and subject to change. Group standards of approval for the young child is quite different from that of the adolescent, and the adolescent from that of the mature individual. However, there is always a fundamental desire and need for a sense of belonging, if satisfactory personal social relations and adjustment is to be achieved. Social attitudes and adjustments during adolescence are 102 perhaps more intense than at any other age. The influence of their own group on their attitudes and behavior is far greater than group influence during childhood. Social consciousness during adolescent years is more intense and when the standards of behavior of the group differ from those of the home, the child frequently identifies himself with the group and is more influenced by them than his family. He tries to appear like, behave like, and conform in every conceivable way to the pattern set by the group with which he is identified. Aoproval or disapproval of his parents is not as important as approval or disapproval of his group. Not only does he want group approval, but recognition. In early adolescence he is willing to submerge his individuality into the group pattern, but in late adolescence there is more self-assertiveness and desire for individual recognition. The crowd activities fulfill a strong need for companionship, security and personal happiness. The adolescent has comparative little interest hiadult companionship. An acceptable social status is essential to gpmlsocial adjustment. If socially isolated the adolescent is Imhqmw3 timid and resentful. One cause of social isolation they feel isxumttractive appearance. The relative importance of personal appearance to the adolescent, butrmrticularly the adolescent girl, is characterized by typical bdmvhnu attitudes and interests. Physical changes in body size and «mtmu-result in a new awareness of self. Interest in other people iSPrhmudly subjective in that she focuses attention upon her 103 relationships to them and their attitudes toward her. This highly introspective interest in self differs from the objective interest which is more characteristic of late childhood. The adolescent wants to be thought of as grown up, SOphisticated and adult in aopearance. A change in personal aopearance becomes comp- letely absorbing and the style of her hairdress, use of cosmetics, height, weight, skin blemishes on her face and her clothing become problems of major importance to her. Boys react similarly, but to a lesser degree. Personal appearance plays an important role in acceptance by both sexes and in their concept of social success. The adolescent critically compares himself with others and to the standard of his group. If there is conflict between adult and adolescent standards as to appropriateness or attractiveness, he will more often than not try to conform to the pattern approved by his own group. Inasmuch as every cultural group has its own standards of physical beauty, the individual compares himself with the prevailing standard. If his physical size, height, weight or body contour deviates from the standard it is emotionally disturbing to him. Some fret and worry while others try to disguise the defect through their choicecfifclothing. Glandular changes at puberty are partially res- Ponsi‘ole for changes in body odors. The adolescent becomes hyper- sensitive and embarrassed and fastidious in his or her grooming. and the usecf deoderants, scented soaps and perfumes become extremely 104 important. Hair styling receives major consideration. Interest in the complexion and skin eruptions are of real concern so girls use cosmetics to cover up a poor complexion or as a distinguishing mark of maturity. Often they over do it and use more make-uD than is socially approved. Parental opposition is generally of no avail, but group disapproval has greater influence. Personal Status. Interest in clothing at all age levels and for both sexes stems from a realization, not only as to its role in group status, but pro- vides a sense of personal security and self confidence. Hurlock's study designed to determine what motives guide people in their subjection to fashion found that more people dress for their own sex and for both sexes, than for the opposite sex alone. They want to avoid criticism from both. Barr's study (1934) showed desire to conform to be the most common motive with desire for comfort of secondary importance. Other motives included desire to express personality, to appear distinctive, competent and prosperous. The latter motives apply to both.men and women. Mens' general interest in clothes seem to have little relation to their personal values. fibmen who have high aesthetic and economic values show a comparatively great interest in clothes, while women ‘with theortetic and religious values are relatively disinterested. Clothing today, as in the past, is not worn primarily for 105 protection nor as a badge denoting wealth or class, but rather as an extension of personality. Clothing as a factor contributing to personality during adolescence includes a pleasing physique that conforms to the current standards of fashion, grooming and clothes. Typically the adolescent lacks a sense of values that is accept- able to adults. Any interest with strong personal appeal such as clothing may soon wane and be replaced by some other interest. How- ever, the adolescent girls personal appearance is apt to continue to be important to her. In Silvermann's study of high school girls, three fourths of the girls felt that the right clothes were necessary to happiness and an aid in building self confidence. They likewise thought clothing an important factor aiding in success in getting a job and increasing chances of marriage. T_he Role of Clothing for the Teen-age Girl. This group, which constituted the largest number in this study, shows significantly a pattern of attitude and behavior. There were thirty girls interviewed who ranged in age from thirteen to nineteen years. Almost without exception, clothing gave these girls a sense of personal satisfaction as well as social status if they were allowed to choose the clothing which they felt conformed to their group standards. Nearly all of this control group felt frustration because of parental dominance and interference in respect to their free choice in clothing. In several instances, a grand- 106 mother was responsible for a feeling of resentment and rebellion for the restrictive and critical comments on appearance. A feeling of inferiority attended parental refusal for free choice, type, amount and whether it be ready made or made at home. Because of over-weight, a feeling of clothing inadequacy and lack of social approval and participation prevailed. Jealousy of others clothing or appearance was frequently but a reflection of a deeper fundamental conflict. Feelings of personal insecurity in the socio-economic status of their family was frequently reflected in clothing conflects and an awareness of their own immediate clothing needs. Their reactions verified the concept that an adolescent is not entirely satisfied with clothes that merely resemble those in his crowd, but that they must have an equivalent quality and quanity as well. If financial limit- ation or other obstacles made it impossible for the teen-age girl to have the clothing she wanted, insolence, bitterness and obstinancy was frequently noted. Anong the thirty girls interviewed, there was an expressed or inherent feeling of the need for parental understand- ing in respect to their problems. Clothing frustrations, among the adolescent girls interviewed, stemmed from the imposition of a standard in dress which was in conflict with the standard of their group. The factors of occupation, education, social participation and a'jpl'oval and religion are interrelated in their influence on the role 107 of clothing. Fear of ridicule was outstanding as one of the major factors affecting or influencing their personal happiness and satis- faction derived from clothing. The younger children interviewed showed considerauly less interest in clothing than the teen-age girl or boy. However, there were not enough in any particular age group to justify comment other than that they responded in a normal way. The Role of Clothing for the Mother. The role of clothing for the twenty-five mothers in this study assumes an importance that in some cases is nearly as intense as that shown by the teen-age girl. Many of their clothing practices, inherent desires, conflicts, attitudes and interests as uncovered in the inter- views, are closely inter-related and consistent with their interests as young girls. Many reflect fundamental conflicts in their childhood. Shame, fear of ridicule, lack of social approval for their families, education, lack of socio-economic status and nationality frequently were the factors which seemed to predominate as influences. .As with the teen-age girl, the factors of shame and fear of ridicule are out- standing in the way in Which they have caused these mothers to feel insecurity and personal and social inadequacy at some time in their life. T116 Role of Clothing for the Father. For the twenty-five fathers who participated in this study, u 4 ..., J. l P ,‘u ;.‘- . 108 clothing seemed relatively unimportant except for one who was actively engaged in a profession in which more than average interest might be expected. They too, feel the desirauility for clothing adequacy in keeping with their professional status. Social acceptability, participation, occupational and economic status and education were in many instances related to the importance of clothing to them. Religious belief as a causitive factor for rigid conformity for themselves and their families was pronounced in several instances. Again it was overwhelmingly evident that among file Whole group, clothing was of interest to all in some way. Controversial Problems or Conflicts within the Family Related To Clothing. In attempting to analyze wherein education, occupation, economic status, social participation and acceptance and religious belief affected the significance of the role of clothing to the individual member of the family and the family group in regard to family conflict, it'would seem that they are so inter-related that it is difficult in most instances to assume one has a more significant bearing than any other factor. Despite the fact that educational level was highest in the professional group, the individual in fliat group showed no greater sense of personal satisfaction or fewer conflicts, than any other grmqh This likewise applies to economic status as revealed in home mmnnship and other material possessions. Economic security shows 109 some relationship to social participation and social status. Religious affiliation, particularly when two religious faiths were represented, indicate more tension in family relationship and personal adjustment. The conflicts which seem to bear a relationship to acceptable clothing standards, revealed by extravagance, miserliness, partiality, jealousy, religion, infidelity, parental dominance, presence of relatives in the home, standard of conduct, low standards of personal appearance and grooming, nationality, modesty and appropriateness in dress, made-over clothing, color preference, incest, gift clothing, home made versus ready made clothing, pregnancy, ridicule and social inadequacy seem to be reflected in clothing dissatisfaction because they are rooted in the fact that every individual desires to express himself through the medium of clothing and feel personal security and social status. It can not be interpreted that any one factor is more important or responsible than another. These same conflicts appear in each occupational group and it is reasonaule to assume that these conflicts are based on more fundamental human qualities. The fact that they have association with specific clothing issues has been shown in the casetnudysis, to be so integrated and diffused as to permit no valid assumpttnxas to relative importance of one group as compared to another. Vfithin the twenty-five families interviewed, there is a cross sectionofoccupations and as one might have expected, the educational »-| - . ' 1 . - ¢ 1 . ' u ’4 _.- . .. ~I 110 level is highest in the professional group of families for moth fathers and mothers. The business group ranks second, the farm group third and the industrial group fourth. There were but eight mothers who worked outside the home and the highest number of mothers and children who worked were in the business group, with the industrial group a close second. While no mother in the fanm or professional group worked outside the home, some of the children were permitted to supplement the family income with part time work. Ranking from hi hest to lowest in home ownership, the business group was first, the industrial group second, the farm group third and the professional group was fourth. The business group also ranked highest in ownership of radios and telephones, with the farm and professional groups being equal and the industrial group fourth. In satisfactory family social participation, the farm group was first, the industrial group second, the professional group third and the business group fourth. Social acceptance for the four groups was equal considering the uneven number of families within each group. In the twenty-five families studied, there were but two religious faiths represented, Protestant and Catholic. There were, however, eight different branches of the protestant religion. There were finrteen families who belonged to protestant churches, one family, and mothers of two other families who belonged to the Catholic Churdn. Church membership was nearly equal in the four occupational gr Oups o 111 Of the factors named, all are so closely inter-related in influences on the significance of clothing in the families under discussion that it is quite impossible to separate them. Religion was the one factor which prevented the individual from achieving personal satisfaction from clothing. The influence of the factor of religious belief, is felt most keenly in the professional group of people. The industrial group ranks second, the farm group third and the business group, fourth. PART TWO Table IV--Some Outstanding Evidences of Controversial Problems ‘Within the Family. Table V--Some Outstanding Evidences of Clothing Problems Primarily Individual. SOME OUTSTANDING EVIDENCES OF CONTROVERSIAL TABLE IV PROBLflMS'WITHIN THE FAMILY 113 Problem Husband Wife Father Child Mother Child Child Child Miserliness Extravaganoe Partiality Jealousy .X I. X Religion Infidelity >*><>1><>4>d>4 Parental Dominance or Interference Presence of Relatives Standards of Conduct Personal Appearance >4>¢>4>¢>4>4 >4 Pd >4 #4 >4 >4>< >‘>¢ >‘>4>4>4 >4bd>d>4 >4 >4>4 ><>e >4 >4>d>< >4 114 TABLE V SOME OUTSTANDING EVIDENCES OF CLOTHING PROBLIIIIS PRIMARILY INDIVIDUAL Type of Problem Husband Wife Teen-age Family Daughter Numb er X 7 x 10 19 25 1. Approval NH 2. Made-overs X 19 5 15 21 23 X 2 X X 5 X 7 X 19 I 25 I 3 4. Home Sewing x 12 Versus 15 Ready Made x 20 HMN 3 . Inade quaoy N 1 4 21 23 1 3 X 4 5 21 25 13 X 1 15 19 21 23 8 7 5 5. Gift Clothing HN HHNN 6. Choice of Clothing “NH RN 7 . Shame or Ridicule MN NH >4 '\. CQAPTER III Generalizations and Suggestions for Further Study Certain generalizations based on this study seem permissible. The role of clothing for the individual can be subjectively evaluated through the use of relevant questions in personal interviews. The role of clothing for the individual is of significantly greater importance for the teen-age girl than for other age or sex groups. The use of clothing as a means of gaining coveted social and adult status is characteristic of the adolescent. The rights and privilege in the free choice of their own clothing without parental interference is a significant factor in parent and child relationships, but significantly more important for the teen-age parent relationships. A pattern of fear of ridicule and shame reflected in clothing standards and concept of adequacy is consistent through all sex and age groups. Clothing as such is not so much a cause of family controversy as an expression of a more fundamental maladjustment. The role of clothing for fine individual is affected by one's early'environment and training and childhood experiences, frequently affecthngthe practices and attitudes of parents in dealing with their child re n. 116 Education, occupation, economic status, social participation and religious eeliefs are so inter-related that they seldom predominate as a single factor of influence on the individual or in his relation- ships with other members of the family. 117 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHSR STUDY The writer wishes to suitest that further study might be made in regard to the problems defined in order that the data collected may be validated. It is sugsested that a relatively small group of families might be selected wherein the control groups might be in- creased to include teen-age boys. It would seem wise to susgest that such family interviews as are entailed in such a study would be made by a mature person. APPEND IX CASE STUDY 1 INDUSTRY THE D---FAMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE FORTY -TWO THE MOTHER, AGE THIRTY-NINE SHIRLEY, AGE SIXTEEN SHARON SUE, AGE TWELVE The D. family live in an upstairs apartment which is reasonably well furnished. In fact it looks much like the average American home which has been planned by a woman of no particular taste. It is comfort- able in that there are enough easy chairs to permit the family to relax at one tine, but is a bit shabby, and more than a bit untidy, having tables strewn with this and that. A few unwashed dishes in the sink, a newspaper on the floor, and an ironing board'standing open, provides the general setting for the interview. Al I entered, Mrs. D. greeted me with an apology for not having everything in order in the house. "It Just seems as though I couldn't get anything out of Shirley and Sharon Sue today. Jack's has for the week-end and none of them want to work.” Since I had supposed that Jack lived at home, I was very much surprised and disappointed to learn that he was out of school and working away from home, completely taking care of himself. Remarking that it was nice to have someone some home who had been away, I proceeded to chat easily for a few moments with- out seeming to be in a hurry to start the interviews. It was Mrs. D. Ibo breached the subject by saying in a friendly and engaging “Y: 120 Mrs. King, we are real proud that you chose us to interview for your study. Could you ask us all questions together or not? We will give you all the time we can, but we want to go to Mother's house while Jack is here and he's going back about eight o'clock because he can ride with some of the boys you know. I decided to try intervieIVing husband and wife together first and the two girls later. That plan was entirely satisfactory to Mrs. D. , and she thought it wauld not be encroaching upon their time too much if I stayed with them until five o'clock, as the boy was to be allowed to sleep until that time anyway. Mr. D. and the girls came in and were introduced. Mrs. D. told the two girls to take a shopping bag and do the errands down town, not failing to return by 3:30 as she was sure I would want to see them by that time. Mr. D. was amen of small stature and looked very young for his forty-two years. His hair was black and showed no gray at all. It was evident from his manner that he was not as much at ease as his wife. He was dressed in what looked to be his Sunday best and looked very nice, indeed. His hands showed the marks of daily toil from his work at the Chemical Plant, which was that of an evaporator in the salt department. Hrs. D. looked attractive with her gray suit and matching shoes, a frilly blouse, and a lace handkerchief. Her deep auburn hair was beautiful, but seemed arranged in rather a fussy manner with very precise waves, not one hair being out of place. In fact, her personal appearance was much superior that of the house. Her very 121 nice skin, her beautiful hair and her bright eyes gave her a youthful appearance. Both husband and wife impressed me as being people with few worries. With nothing to suggest an interview except a pencil and pad, I began without their suspecting that the first question I asked had anything to do with the matter at hand, and in this way I was able to launch into other questions very easily. 'I was wondering whether or not you people are related to the D. family I read about the other day. Perhaps you saw the same article in the paper. I mean the family who could trace their ancestors back so far. I believe they came from this region,’ I began. Mr. D. replied, No, we're not related to that family, but I wish we was. They're goin' to be rich before they get through with it I'll bet, don't you? We're sure not rich. Wish we were. Things are getting tighter at the plant an' a lot of men want work and are bein' turned away. Salt is something we all use though, so I'm not so worried as I might be. ”So De continued, Oh well, I could go back to the Electric Shop full time if I wanted to, you know. I've just worked enough to help Jack through school and to buy some extra clothes for myself. The trouble is that Shirley will be graduating in another two years and then after awhile it will be Sharon Sue. If we weren't all willing to work, we might get in a lot of trouble. Shirley stays with children all the time and makes enough to buy a lot of her clothes and Jack had a paper mute all the time he was in school, and he earned most of his spending money and some of his clothes. I sometimes think that when we get them all through school, Roy and I will just go away and never work at anything again. w folks sent me to school and I'm glad they did. My dad always said that he wanted me to be able to keep the books for his Fourth Ward Supervisor job, so I took book- keeping at school from Miss Merritt and I've always done that for him. I don't believe they teach it that well in school now, though. had 122 Jack took it too, but he couldn't get a job at anything like that at all, but still he had to have a high school education to get in at the place in Detroit where he works. Mr. D. had looked a bit off balance at the turn the conversation taken, but had not interrupted his wife. Now he said, Well, education is sure important, but I think sometimes that some of the fellows at the plant that boast of their college educations don't know so much after all. They don't know enough to fix any- thing that breaks, I know that. I didn't get a chance to go to school after I got out of the sixth grade, but I can hold my job. It bothers the kids some to have me tell anyone that I didn't go to school as long as their mother did, but what's the use lying about it? Id'd Just as soon you didn't put it in a book though, as there's no sense in botherin' them about it. My father and mother couldn't feed all of us on what they could earn on the berry patch out north of town, let alone sending us to school. After mother died, my sister Alina, had to quit school and she was in the eighth grade, and that's the farthest any of us got. My other sister Anna, was in the seventh grade. I'll tell you, Mrs. King, that out and out, our kids don't know how lucky they are and Wilma don't know, either. How about it Wihna? Well, I do know that I had everything I wanted when I was at home and that my folks have always had enough so they didn't have to worry. We always lived out on the river road not far enough from town but what nw dad did his Fourth Ward work in town, and he had his money from that as well as from the farm. There's been things that wasn't so nice though, and I don't know if you'd like to hear anything like that or not. I wouldn't want to tell you anything that might make anyone think any the less of them or of us, but I don't think you'd do anything like that, would you? Upon my assurance of privacy as to anything they told me being connected with them or their parents in any way, and that their name would remain as Mr. and Mrs. D., or perhaps 'Q' or some other letter of the alphabet, both of them seemed to relax. Mrs. D. confided, 'You know Mrs. King, it seems good to sit down and talk about the things that we think about to ourselves sometimes. I never thought about it before, but it's true.” She then went on. 3 l I y‘l Igl ' .J you 123 Well then, as I said, there's lots of things that didn't always make me happy and don't now. It never made me happy to have my father and mother always quarreling, and I always said that if I ever got married I'd never quarrel and we don't. My mother is seventy eight new and she still has to go to the beauty shop and my father has to almost carry her up the stairs. She always had to have her way about every- thing and she still does. She thought for a moment after I asked, ”Did these things affect as a child, Mrs. D.?", and then answered, Oh, I think everything like that makes a difference in children, don't you? I remember once when I was about ten. My father had just sold the wheat from the farm and mother wanted him to give her half of the money, and the time they had was awful. She always cried and then he'd storm around and fume and talk about leaving home. He never left though. He ended up by giving her the wheat money and she bought me a coat and blue velvet dress. I remember her saying tint any man on the Supervisor's Board, ought to be ashamed not to have his wife and child look like the ones up town did. My dad sat all that evening with his headin his hands and looked so sad. I remember that I didn’t care much about my velvet dress for a long time because I thought it had made my father cry. 'Fumw thing, isn't it?” asked Mr. D., and continued. My folks was happy as could be with their berries and the hives of bees they had, but they never had enough money to worry about divid- ing it or buying my sisters or I any clothes. We just got along some way an' I guess we was as happy as Nina's folks was. Take us now. We don't have much money, but we re happy enough and we don't worry too much. Course we re worried right now about Wilma's mother, and my dad is an awful problem. We're afraid we're goin'ta have to take him to Traverse City. After I had expressed my sympathy, he added: He'd be gone by now, but I hate to take him. He's real old an' his mind is gone I guess. He took his clothes off the other night an' tent right out into the snow. My sister happened to see him an' they caught him, but it sure worries us. He always done the best by us he could, but of course I want to do better by our kids an' we are. They'll all go through high school an' I think that's important these days, don't you? The college question seemed in order and was asked. 'No, 1 don't think so. Our money's not that kind of dough. is it Wilma?" set 124 Thus appealed to, Mrs. D. shook her head and said, We think we are doing pretty good by them if we can get them through high school, and I doubt if they'd want to go anyway. Jack never said anything about it and I've not heard Shirley mention it either. They couldn't go unless they took themselves. We're going to have to think of our old age pretty soon. We can't save anything out of Roy's wages, and when I work it's only one or two days a week, and I don't make much that way. I tell Boy I should take a full time job, but he always says no. I guess I couldn't now away, for mother isn't well, and I have to be there a lot. She's had a lot of spells where she shakes, and the doctor says it is a small stroke of some kind, but after while she gets all right and makes Dad take her right down town to have her hair fixed. She really makes him, too. Poor Dad is so afraid she'll die and then people would say she had always been right when she said he was mean to her.... She wants to get dressed every day, and the other day she wanted me to take her shopping for a new dress and some shoes. I didn't lmow vhat to say to her and Dad said it was ridiculous to think of such a thing. She asked him if he wanted her to do what she did once before, and I knew tint if she started that old story up, she'd probably have another spell right then. I was curious, and asked what it was she had once done. Well, you see, Dad was going to sell the fam once when I was in high school, and then decided it wasn't a good thing to do after all, and called the deal off. Mother didn't like it as she always wanted to love in tom. I could never see sometimes why, as she didn't have to do farm work. Dad always rented it, but she never liked to be out on the fringes of town. She got so mad at Dad that she told him she was leaving, and forced him to sell and give him her half of the money. She went to her sister's in New York state and stayed about three months. Dad bought the farm back and lost quite a lot of money, and I had to live with my aunt while Mother was away. She came back to w aunt's house and brought me this ring. At‘this Mrs. D. held up her hand displaying a beautiful ring with a diuond. I loved the ring and she had one for herself, too. She said mine was for my graduation present. In a few weeks she asked Dad to let her' live on the farm again as her money was about gone, and Dad did, but they went on quarreling worse then ever. He is awfully cross to her now, and I don't know's I blame him much. He has to 125 do all the house work and cooking now you know, except what I do for him, so I guess I can't work very much. Dad always thinks tint Mother shouldn't want to have clothes or look nice, and I think that has caused most of their trouble. Of course, I like to look nice, too, but Roy understands, and um father doesn't. When the D's were asked about the things they did together as a family, Hr. D. answered promptly. We don't have a car, so we don't do much. The kids go to the show by themselves, and we go by ourselves. We go to see Wilma's mother and aw father, and sometime the girls go with us. I work most of the time on a swing shift, so-we don't do much. Wilma and I go to a dance once in a while an' that's all I guess. The radio? We don't listen to it much any more. We need a new one I guess, an' we let the girls take it in their room and so sort of got weaned away from it I guess, an' don't miss it, wouldn't you say Wilma? That's about it I guess. I still like to listen to the Lux Radio Theater on Monday nights though. I go in with the girls, and we all listen together. They like that and the Crime Doctor program. They like to read better, I guess. At least, they're always at it and we don't hear the radio very often any more....I'd rather go to the movie except the air is so bad down here. We go there though because it's hard to get to Alma without a car.... Do we read? Well, not too much. I do take the McCall magazine, and I like that. I don't believe Roy ever reads it though. I like it for the patterns in it. Upon being questioned in regard to her sewing, Mrs. D. said, Oh, I love to sew, and I loaned to do it in high school. Mother never sewed a stitch. I like to embroider too, and I made several pair of pillow slips for Christmas. I don't make any of my clothes except a blouse or aprons, but I sew for both of the girls. I feel that if I sew for them, I can afford to buy my own clothes ready made. The girls don't mind. In fact, I think they like it, for they get more that way, and they couldn't have very many clothes if we had to buy the. all ready made. Do I sake them over some- times? No, I've never tried that. I think you have to be pretty good'to do anything like that don't you? Shirley is so big you know, that if I did try, it would be hard for me to make anything over for her. I have to get a size eighteen pattern for width. I think she'll get slimmer after awhile, but right now it would be hard to buy a ready made dress for her. She don't seem to care 126 either, and I can't understand that. Sharon Sue is so different. She's ashamed of Shirley being so big, but Shirley just acts as though she didn't even know it. 'llr. D., what do you think of the 'New Look' in clothing?” I asked. He thought for a moment and said, Well, I don't know, but I think Shirley's too big for it, and Sharon Sue is too young. I think my wife is just right for it. I guess it's all right, no foolin'. You see I never thought of clothes much until I was quite a young man, and then after I met Wilma I knew I had to be togged right up if I ever got her an' I still feel that way. I can't see why so many men fuss all the time about such things. I wouldn't like m wife and daughters to look tacky, nor my son either. I think money is earned to spend, and when that's gone, we'll get some more. Now you take lilma's mother. I'd a lot rather she'd be lookin' like somethin' than to be the other way. Anything but an' old woman not lookin' right. It's bad enough to see a young one lookin' that way, let alone an old one. I've always said I wish my mother could have a chance to look nice when she was alive. She was always clesn, but she never had anything nice. I remember how she made me iron my own shirts though, and Wilma thinks that was all right, for I can still do it, end sometimes have to if I get one. He said this last in a good natured manner, and his wife smiled at him indulgently. 'But that new look now. I said I liked it, but I didn't say I liked some of the things our kids want to wear." His wife looked a bit distressed and said, I’blow Hey, don't get started on _ that.‘ However, after I Ind shown an interest in what had been coming, he went on, Fell, I sure as heck don't like Shirley in slacks an' her mother don't either. She Just don't like me to say anything to make her cry. Can you tell me why on earth a girl wants to wear men's pants? They don't look so bad on Sharon Sue, but I don't want then on her either. If you're pinoludin' then in the new look, you can sure cross it off w list. If the girls would learn to take care of their clothes like they should, and not wait for their mother to do it for them, I'd still feel‘the same about pants on girls, but our girls want to wear 'en, wrinkles and all, like a rat's nest. I guess I spouted off that time, didn't I? 127 It's about the only thing tint we disagree on, but Kilns lmows I'm right. It's up to her to iron their wrinkles. Look at that iron- ing board up here. I'll bet it's been there since morning waitin' for Shirley to get around. It'll still be there tomorrow unless her mother does it for her. He gave a snort and settled back in his chair. As I looked at the ironing board, I could see that the garment resting on it was a dress of some sort, and it apparently belonged to the girl, Shirley. 'Tell me please about how you plan the spending of your income. You say that Shirley works and earns some of her clothes. Does that mean that you do not have to give her an allowance?" 'Oh, we don't believe in allowances. The children have always had to earn what money they got,” said Mrs. D. 'Shirley earns some when I'm working and so does Sharon Sue, and they have to earn it and not have it given to them. I don't get an allowance, and Hey don't get one, so why should they?” It seemed stated so positively that it left nothing to be said. Mr. D. continued. 'You asked how we plan for our money. We plan, but it don't always work. For instance, we planned we'd have plenty saved to pay my doctor bill, but we had to use it for something else.” 'What he means,” put in llrs. D., "is that we have a budget of sorts, but it's hard to make it work. We meant to have something for the church this month, but I have to get the girls some new things, and I'm afraid the church will have to wait. It isn't right, but that is the way it goes.“ 'lhat church do you attend, llrs. D?” There was a slight 128 hesitation before she answered, and then she said, Well, we don't exactly attend, you see. We used to go to the Christian Church, and than we went to the Methodist. We had the children baptised in the Methodist, but we don't belong to any church. The girls go to Sunday School at the Methodist, and Shirley goes to the Senior Youth Fellowship and Sharon Sue to the Junior one there. What I meant about the money for the church was that we do try to give something each month to them, as it just don't seem right to have the girls go to church and not give them awthing. 'Did both of you go to Sunday School, too, when you were children?” I was almost sorry that I tad asked the question when Mr. D. said, 'You really want the truth when we tell you these things, don't you?‘ I in- dicated that he was right and he continued, I used to go to Sunday School once in a while. We lived about a mile from the church and it would have been nice, but one thing was wrong. I guess a lot of 'em went on Sunday to show off, and if they had anything new they always wore it to the church. I already told you my folks didn't have much but the berries and the honey, an' us kids an' that we was happy. Well, we was, but Sunday was one time I wasn't always so happy an' it finally got so I didn't want to go to the church for anything, for the simple reason I didn't have the clothes the other kids had. After Mother died, my dad didn't say much about church anyway an' all of us kids stayed home. I couldn't ever tell my mother why I hated to go an' I used to say I was sick every once in a while. Maybe that's why I think our ' kids should have quite a let, an' I like to look like something too. W sisters never said if they minded not havin' much when we was little, so I don't know an' I've never asked. We don't see much of each other anyway. W folks never went a'tall. Mr. D. had paused and looked at his wife expectantly. She re- sponded by saying, I always went to Sunday School, but not to church. My dad and mother went to church on Easter and sometimes to special revival meetings or things like that. When I was a girl, they cane to the Baptist church for those things. They'made me go to Sunday School and to Church with them when they went. I think that it is nice for children to go to church, and that's why I want ours to go. It should help keep than out of mischief, although I think the girls 129 wouldn't want to go to Youth Fellowship if they didn't see the boys there. Shirley is boy crazy, but I don't think that any of the boys like her especially. But to go back to the church...I just don't remember anything special in regard to it except I hated to say the Lord's Prayer for some reason, and I always was scared at the revival meetings. Oh yes, I can remember how I dressed. Always in my Sunday best, and I can remmber one dress that I had that I called 11V prayer dress, because I didn't like to say the prayer, and I didn't like the dress, so I always wore it when the Sunday School teacher would ask if I would be prepared to lead the class in prayer on the next Sunday. It was a brown dress of some real heavy material and my father said I kid to wear it out because my mother had spent money for it iiich he couldn't afford. I've never quite forgiven him for that, and it made me not care whether I went to church or not. The reason I don't go now is because I got out of the habit a long time ago, and we just don't seem to get started. How did my mother dress? Well, all I can tell you is that my mother has always dressed as though w father had a lot of money instead of just being comfortable. She and I always had new things for Easter, and my father always said she wanted to 'be seen of men', and didn't care anything about religion at all. She never lmd to do the farm work like a lot of women, and maybe that made a difference. My dad always looks alright wherever he goes, but it's Mother who's always got the best of everything. It's funny to me that Shirley's grandmother should be so particular as to her clothes when Shirley would go to church in her blue jeans or the slacks that Roy hates so if I'd let her. She just don't seem to have any sense of what's proper and what isn't, at all. She was invited to lead the Youth Fellowship meeting a few weeks ago, and to say the prayer at the supper they were having, and she wanted to wear her jeans and her school sweater, but of course I said no. She couldn't see that it made any difference because it was a pot luck supper anyway and 'why couldn't she wear what she wanted to?" I won out, but it didn't make any difference in the way she thought. What would you thihk I could say to make her see? I asked her if she thought it would look nice to have someone say the Grace who had jeans on, and she said that she didn't think the Lord bothered to worry about what people were, so I gave up making her see it my way. I suggested that if they said Grace at the table at home, that perhaps she could tie it in with looking especially nice in some way. Sharon Sue is the only one who ever says it. Shirley outgrew it quite a long time ago, and Sharon Sue is beginning to not want to say it. Do you think children should be made to keep it up? Roy and I have never helped them out with it, mostly I suppose because we never did it in our homes. At least I never heard one at home. Did you ever Boy, in your home? Just when my grandfather was at our house when I was a little boy, the 130 an' then he always said a prayer before we could eat. Myself, I don't think it matters much if you bother to live an honest life. But it's true what Wilma says about Shirley and her clothes an' if sayin a Grace at the table would make her more neat about her clothes, I'd say one myself. I guess it'll take more than that though for Shirley. 'Have you tried letting her shop for her own clothing, and for material that you sew on for her, lira. D?“ Shirley don't have much time, Mrs. King, and if I let her, she would look worse than she does. She picked out the material for a dress for sewing class at school last Fall, and I wish you could have seen it. She got a stripe going around her and she's a lot too big for anything like that. The teacher told her she couldn't use it, and we told her she had to after she had put the money in it. I thought we ought to make her see that she had to think twice before she bought anything. She spent seven dollars for all the stuff she got, and it's just a waste. She can't sew away, but I thought that if the teacher helped her maybe she would learn better than for me to help her. I learned in school. I made the suggestion that perhaps the striped garment could be made over and thus salvaged in that way. I might have Mrs. C. make it over, but it wouldn't ever look real good on Shirley. She's too big, but it might make something for Sharon Sue, but I couldn't do it. I just never do anything like that. Mrs. C. is real good at making things over though. It's an idea anyway. 'Did you ever have things made over for you when you were a girl, Mrs. D?” I asked. My mother wasn't much on anything like that. And she always sent things on to New York to Aunt Blanche for my cousins. I never thought of it before, but I can't remember anything that I ever had that was made over from other clothes. I can remember want- ing my mother's seal skin coat shortened for me when I was in high school, though. She said it was too old for me, and sent it to Aunt Blanche to wear. I looked at Ir. 1). and imediately he took the cue and said, 131 I don't remasber anything about made over clothes, but I can tell you scathing I remember about some that wasn't made over. I'll never forget it. Once I had to wear a coat that was one of then swallow tail things, and where my folks got it I don't know. We must of been pretty poor that winter an' I had to wear that coat. My mother must of been sick right then or she'd never have sent me to school with the sleeves hanging down over aw hands and them tails hangin' down my legs. I tell you, I was all sick inside when th' boys hooted at me and called me 'Preacher D. Our kids wouldn't believe it if I'd tell 'em. Maybe thats why I didn't want to go back the next year...that an' then I wasn't so good in school anyway. Say Wilma, did you tell Shirley to pick up that package for me at Aubrey's? His wife shook her head saying, 'I thought you could do a better job of picking out your shirt yourself, and we could go in on our way back from Mothers." 'Do you pick out all of your own shirts and other clothing, Mr. D? Some men find themselves so tied up during the shopping hours that they can't, but you said that you were on a swing shift.’ 'Yes sir! I pick 'em out and m wife takes 'em back, but anyway I've had the fun of pickin' 'em out first." His eyes glinted as he looked at his wife. She elaborated by saying, What he means is that he always comes home with the wrong size and then some of us have to exchange them for the right size. I think a man ought to pick out his own clothes. I know I like to pick out mine, and when the girls get so they can do a good job, I want them to get ‘lheirs too. But I don't have much hopes for Shirloye 'Do you go shopping together or do each of you shop alone for your clothes?“ I asked. Oh, we shop together for big things like suits or coats, but not for things like underwear or hose or ties. I always like Roy's opinion and he likes mine. The only time I don't like him to be with me is if I'm shopping in Saginaw just for little things. 111‘. 152 He always says, 'Oh that's all right. Come on and don't take so long.' If its something big, its different. Which of you spend more for clothing?" For a moment both and Ira. D. looked puzzled, and then Mr. D. said, 'I guess its a toss up isn't it Wilma?” Mrs. D. thought for a moment and answered, She I really think that I do, but we couldn't tell for sure, for we don't keep track of all of it. I know that it takes more clothes for a woman than it does for a man unless the man is in business. New Roy wears coveralls all the time and just needs cotton shirts and wool pants under them. He even wears the pants to his suits as soon as they begin to look worn out and shabby. Under cover- alls I don't even have to mend them. At least he says I don't mend them. smiled at her husband and he smiled in return as he said, I'll bet that the only thing we argue much about is the mending, isn't it Kiln? You see, she lets the hole get so big before she mends it that she just has to sew it up, and that's one thing 11w mother done was to keep us patched up when I was a kid. No foolin' though, I don't like holes in my socks and in my clothes, but most of the time we get along pretty well about it. About who spends the most for clothes, I think we spend more on the kids than we do on either of us but maybe not. I think both of us keep two suits goin', but of such things mine last longer than a woman's would. I guess if we have to say, we'd say that l’ilma ” took more clothes than I do. I think a woman most always would. She has to dress up when she's down at the Electric Shop too, an' I don't ever have to in nw work. We sure do spend a lot on the kids though an' I guess they're worth it. Of course Shirley uses her own money too, and that sure helps. I told Sharon Sue if she didn't do better in school the next six weeks, that we could just save the price of any new clothes she was going to have this Spring, so that's one way to save a little. She'll make the grade though an' fool me 'cause she knows darn well I‘ mean it this time. She's just got to fooling too much I guess. She wants a new raincoat, don't she? The question was asked of his wife, and at her nod he continued, 133 If she gets her marks fixed up when she brings than home on the card, you'll have to let her go in Young's and charge it to pay day, an' then she can put what she's got saved up in it too. Maybe if she has to keep payin' on it she'll know why I say she can't have things uhless she has good marks. I sure want her to have the coat, Mrs. King, but I want her to have good marks, too. Is she goin' to get the blue coat, Wilma? I remarked that Sharon Sue must look lovely in blue, and Mr. D. said, Sharon Sue looks lovely in most everything. Not just that she's our girl, but she just does. She an' her mother make up for the way Shirley looks most of the time. It's funny, but it's just as Wilma says, Shirley don't care much how she looks. She don't even care if it's blue or green just so it covers her. Think she'll get over that? I told him that I was sure Shirley would become interested in clothes and appearance in due time and suggested that sometimes a gift of pretty hose or underwear would stimulate a girl's interest in clothing. 'I guess you don't know Shirley, Mrs. King,” he said. 'I don't guess her mother can even get her to put stockings on. I know she had some for Christmas." Mrs. I). replied, Oh, well, she gave them to Sharon Sue. She said her legs looked better bare, but she'll get over that. She just acts like a kid and talks like one. She's all right at heart, and she's the one who is always wanting me to get something for myself instead of for her. She says that she'd rather see me look nice than for he to have something. Sharon Sue never says that, though. She likes clothes too much for that, I guess. But she's a good girl and as long as we can get them both what they need, we'll be all right. Anyway, we never fight about it. I couldn't want a thing if I fixought it meant a fight. I've heard too much of it all my life. Roy is so easy going with me that we never have a word, and it would be easy to take advantage of him, but I try not to Again, she smiled at her husband affectionately. 134 "Suppose one of you refused the girls something that they wanted to wear. Would either of you give your permission knowing that the other had said 'No'?" The answer came in almost a chorus, "No.” 'That sure would be a good way not to get along, wouldn't it?” said Mr. D. ”They have both pulled that stunt, but not any more. They both know that it's no dice.’ Questioned as to the achievement of style and quality in her family's clothing, Mrs. D. said, I honestly feel that if I just shop the best I can and show the girls all that I can, that it's the best way. I'm afraid though that I can't get any fashion of style into Shirley no matter how good quality I have for her. When you talk to the girls, I wish you would talk to Shirley a little about how she looks. To me Mrs. King, you don't get much out of listening to talks about such things unless the talker shows you with her hands while she talks, and then you can see what she's trying to do. It's the same with things you read. I need someone to tell me and show me. I've thought I'd join one of the extension clubs that meet but I never do, and anyway from what's in the paper some of the town leaders wouldn't know how to show anyone anything at all. I guess my best bet is to get the best material I think if right for the money I can spend, and then get the best pattern I can find, and sew the best I can. I know though that my own clothes have more style even if they don't have quality, if I buy them ready made. Roy always says to buy them all for all of us. I used to have to do that when the children was small, but now I have more time. Mr. D. chimed in and said, Sure, she likes to sew an' I like to have her do what she wants to do, but I hate to see her waste her time an' her eyes over something that's goin' to cost almost as much as if she'd bought it all made...Oh sure she saves a little, but I don't believe it's much on a lot of things. I think she might better buy the things all made and then keep 'em all patched. Mrs. D. then remarked, It's an old argument, Mrs. King, and maybe he's right after all. 135 Roy makes pretty good money, and I guess it will work out either way. At any rate, I hope you'll be able to give Shirley a nice little hint that she could do a lot things different. I thanked the D.'s very sincerely for their effort to co- operate with me and really meant it, for both had taken the greatest interest and had been very helpful. It was time for the girls to come and I suggested that when they did, that I might see each girl alone if possible. ”Tell you what,’ said Mr. D. 'I'll take Sharon Sue down for a look at that rain coat while you talk to Shirley and then Wilma, you think up something for Shirley to do while she talks to Sharon Sue. ' When the girls could be seen down on the street, Mr. D. put on his coat and I could hear him call as he went down the stairs, 'Wait Sharon Sue. I want you to walk back to Young's with me to see that raincoat you've been trying to tell us you needed. Want to?“ Apparently she wanted to for they swung down the street together as I greeted Shirley, who came in noisely and banged her packages down on the kitchen table. Something dropped to the floor and I heard a muttered 'Jeepers' before she came back into the room. Her mother rose saying that if I'd excuse her she had some things to attend to While I talked with Shirley, and left us alone in the living room. The girl was certainly not a picture of the latest fashion model, for she was considerably over the ideal weight for her age and height. It took but a glance to ascertain that fact. She were blue Jeans rolled nearly to the knee and a sloppy joe sweater which 136 failed to add to her attractiveness. The fat legs at one end and the very fat face at the other made me wonder how she could smile in such a friendly fashion. She pulled some gumdrops from her pocket and began to chew on one, belatedly remembering her manners and offering one to me. I declined, saying, I'll have to say 'nc thank you' today, Shirley. I'm watching my calories this week. Offer me one next week and I'll probably accept it. Would you mind at all if we started our interview? Your mother told me you and your sister were both willing to talk with me. I know that your mother said that all of you wanted to go to your grandmother's house before long, and I mustn't keep you waiting. “Sure it's all right,” said Shirley. Sharon Sue didn't want to go with Daddy very much. She was afraid she'd miss something.” I ex- plained again the purpose of the visit and told Shirley how much I had enjoyed visiting with her parents. She smiled but said nothing. 'Shirley, please tell me about how you feel and what some of the problaas are, about the family income. I mean the moneythat all of you earn, especially that money earned by your father. For instance do you all have a share of it?” The smile faded from her face as she concentrated in an effort to think. Finally she said, Jeepers, I don't know. I don't get much of it, but I earn some of it. I mean I earn enough to buy a lot of my things but not all of than. I'd say Sharon Sue gets a lot more than I do 'cause she don't work an' I do, but she has to earn what she gets. I earn mine but I can't do as I please with it except some of the things I buy. I can get av own shoes an' socks and underwear an' m tooth paste an' my other things I need, but my dad won't let me buy anymore slacks or jeans an' I don't think that's right when I earn the money. I guess my mother is the one who shares the money with my dad. I don't see what difference it is whether I buy cloth for a dress with my money, or a pair of 137 slacks. They're both clothes so I let my mother buy the cloth, and I buy the slacks. No, I don't have an allowance and I don't see why I'd need one when I cam my own money, but I would like to buy what I like with it. Sure I like to shop but not for cloth. I suggested that she might like to shop for dresses that were ready made, and she answered, Nope, not me. I'm.too big for 'em and it makes my mother feel bad. I'd rather she'd buy the cloth and I hate trying on things anyway. My mother don't hate it and Sharon Sue don't, but I do. I can have a lot more fun not trying on things in stores. I can't see any sense to it anyway. I like to ride my bike and go out with marilyn on the ice with our sleds. Sharon Sue don't like to. She's afraid of gettin' dirty I guess, and anyway she'd need the boys to pull her sled. They'd do it for her too. 'And how about your sled, Shirley? Do the boys pull yours, too?” 'Nopel I don't like boys so much. Oh they're all right in their place I guess, but I'd rather go with girls.‘ Who has the most influence over you in regard to your cloth- ing and'your personal appearance, Shirley?” She looked at me for a moment and .said, 'I don't know as anyone has much influence. I just know what I like to wear and try to wear it is all.” She thought for a momnt and added, Why do people make such a fuss anyway? Did my mother and father tell you I liked to wear slacks and that they didn't want me to? My dad 'specially has a fit, but he'll get over it. He just don't try to understand and my mother don't either. There's just one person who does, and that someone has moved away from here. I don't see why people don't leave me alone. I never nag at them about what they have on. Oh sure, I have to have some dresses but not many, I know I look better in slacks than I do in a dress because they don't show how big I am. What a mistaken idea this girl had: It was not my role to argue with her however, and I remembered in time that the purpose of the inter- view was not for remedial work of advice and kept silent. 138 'How does your sister feel about the slacks, Shirley?” Who, Sharon Sue? She don't dare say anything to me about my clothes. I just tell her she looks horrible in something and she shuts up. Sharon Sue is the beauty of the family you know, and I'm the homely one. They're all proud of her and ashamed of me I guess, but I don't care. 1U mother wouldn't like it if she knew I'd said that, but it's true just the same, and I know they always wish I wasn't so fat when people see us. 'be you ever ashamed of them, Shirley‘tm Who, my father and mother and Sharon Sue? How funny to ask such a thing. Of course not. Why should I be? No, I don't feel jealous of what anyone else has. Maybe if I did, I'd try to diet and get thin, but I don't know how to start. Is it true that glands can cause anyone to be too big? I've always been I guess, and I think the family'd be used to me by now. When questioned about cosmetics, etc. in their relation to clothing, Shirley said, The Well, I sure do use deoderants, but I don't know which is best and I so. to need 'em all the time, but none of 'em keep me from ruining w sweaters. I have to wash 'em almost every week. Sure I wash my own sweaters, but I don't like to iron. I help w mother some with the ironing, but I don't like it and I don't see why I should do much of the work when I earn most of m own money. I earn more than an girl in the tenth grade. All the other girls want to have dates and I always go when people can't get someone else, as well as my regular customers, so I don't see why I should do much at home. Sharon Sue is old enough to help. You asked about cosmetics. I don't use thu except a little lipstick, and I think a lot of the girls use too much. They don't think I use enough so it's just something more to argue about. We sure do argue, but we make up. 'Which dress or suit that you wear do you like best, Shirley?” answer came promptly. None of them. I like just what I told you, slacks and a sweater. If I did like one best which would I say? I don't know which it would be. All of my dresses make me look so big that I hate than all.’ If aw mother'd make me a black dress, I think I might like it. Black would make me look smaller, wouldn't it? 139 'lhy don't you sew one for yourself,’' I asked. Hal You should see my mother's face when we mention the one I did make for melf. She didn't like it and she sure wouldn't want me to make another. No foolin' though, I think I'll have a black one. If she won't let me I'll ask my dad, an' he'll be so glad to get me out of slacks that he'll get her to make me one. When asked how she would classify herself in comparison with other girls who were her friends, she said immediately, I just wouldn't because I wouldn't look nice I suppose. I'm clean though and my'skin is all right I guess... W teeth are pretty good looking, but I know that the boys like girls who wear dresses and the ones who are thin. I don't care though. There's no boy I care a hoot about except Jack. At mention of her brother her face clouded over and she said, I'll admit I'd like to please him and he wishes I'd get thin. Maybe someday I will. My grandmother almost made me, but I'll never do it by being insulted. She said she wasn't going to get any girl a sweater for Chris'hnas who had to have a size forty. She knew I wanted that sweater for Christmas too, but I didn't get it until I bought it for myself. Here is Sharon Sue and Dad now. She is trying to get a raincoat out of him and he's trying to get some marks out of her. Mine were better than hers, but do I get a raincoat for it? Not me. It takes Sharon Sue to do that, but I don't care. She thinks she's smart anyway because she's got blue eyes and curly hair, and because she's not fat. At that moment, Mr. D. and 8haron Sue came into the room and it was impossible to answer her. I gave her hand a kindly pat and she bounced up and out of the room without a backward glance. Mrs. D. appeared briefly and indicated to her husband that he was needed, and thus left me alone with the pretty little girl who was known as Sharon Sue. She seated herself in a lady-like leaner and smoothed her pleated skirt. She wore a blouse of white 140 dotted swiss and looked very sweet and girlish. 'It's w turn now, isn't it?” she asked. I smiled at her readiness to be interviewed and had difficulty to keep from laughing when she added, 'I'll be the only girl at school I'll bet who got interviewed in the eighth grade. I won't tell them a word about it, but it'll give me a little attention, I'll bet, don't you?” I had never thought of such a possibility but told her that at least it could do her no harm in the eyes of her classmates. We were off to a good start, as the child sensed perfectly at ease and relaxed as well as very friendly. ”Sharon Sue, you are a member of a family group, and the money earned by your father is your income. Will you tell me how you feel about the way that money is shared by the family?" It isn't, Mrs. King. It Just isn't. I have to earn every cent of it I get. I don't call earning sharing, do you? Shirley earns money too, but that's different. She can go and stay with babies, but I'm supposed to be too young or something, and I an just do things here at home for my mother and get Just enough to go there to the Conery and once in a while a show. Shirley can buy her clothes, some of them, but I can't buy any- thing until I'm old enough to know what is a good buy and what's not, my mother says. ”Which number of your family need the most clothes, Sharon Sue?” Oh Shirley needs the most to make her look nice, but Mother gets the most I guess. I don't know why unless it's because she ' always looks so nice and pretty. My dad looks all right too, but I need more thin I've got. I'need m blue raincoat that Daddy wait downtown with me about. If I don't get it I'll just die. All the girls in my grade have got a blue raincoat, and I want one too. My best friend got one today and we almost 141 always dress just as much alike as we can. My mother thinks that's foolish, but I don't. I try not to care if Mother says things like that, but it burns me up. ”Are you ever jealous of your friends clothes, Sharon Sue?” She pureed her lips and smiled and said, 'I guess I am. I simply hate Esther G. She has all the things I can't have, but the boys don't like her a bit in spite of it. She's so stuck up it isn't funny, and file boys don't like that.“ 'Are you ever ashamed of the way any of your family look, Sharon Suef' Imediately, her face colored and she said, So you noticed it too. I hoped you wouldn't, but I s'pose every- one does. You know what I mean, don't you? I mean Shirley. She's so fat and it makes me feel so awful. I try to like her but she's so mean, and I hate to sleep with her. I don't dare tell w mother that or I'd get punished for it. I just wish I didn't have to go anywhere with her... Is that wicked? If she wouldn't stuff so all the time maybe she'd get thinner and she wouldn't look so bed. All the kids at school notice it, and make remarks and she just don't even care, and says so. She's a tattle tale too. She told my mother that I used lipstick at school and w mother visited school one day to find out. I hate tattle tales. Anyway I think I'm old enough to use one if I want to. 'Do you use a deodorant and remove the hair from under your arms too?’ ”I've only got a few hairs and all of us girls are keep- ing them until we get a lot more and then we'll take them off. I use my mother's under arm cream so my dresses won't‘be spoiled." ’Do you have any special friends among the boys at school, Sharon Sue?’ This question caused her to preen a bit before she said, I'm going steady with Him, and by Him I mean Jim 8., but don't you tell. I've got his ring and know Shirley would have a fit if she knew, and Mother and Dad would too. Shirley can't get a boy friend. All the girls at school who can, go steady. 142 I supressed a smile and asked just what it meant to be going steady. ”When we go steady we wear each other's ring, and we go to the assemblies together. That's about all because most of us can't really go places. Next year I will I'll bet. ”Which dress that you have do you like best?" This question brought a quick answer. I like my blue dress best because Jim likes it. My mother won't let me wear it every day though, and I don't see what difference it would make, but she won't. Personally, I like my red corduroy jumper too. It's pretty sharp and all the girls like it. I don't like to look any nicer than my best friends, but I like to look just as nice, and I think I do, only sometimes my mother won't let me wear what I want to to school. She says I ought to learn to sewwhen I'm a Freshmm like Shirley did, but by the way Shirley's striped dress looked on her, I don't think I'll have any. Someday though, maybe I'll be a big designer and have lots of clothes. I want 'em to be all 1w am, too. I don't think I'd like anyone to do them for me. ”Do you sometimes have some clothes that have been made over for you, Sharon Sue?” Sheshook her head firmly and said, ”No. But I wouldn't like it, I know. Our things get sent to Aunt Blanche. We aren't as poor as she is, so she needs them worse.” ”lhat do you do besides go to school?” I asked. Sharon thought for a moment and shook her head and said, Nothing, just about nothing. Sunday School, Girl Scouts, and the movies. I'm going to learn to dance next year. Shirley knows how, but no one will dance with her, I'll bet. I like to go to the show, and I like Ingrid Bergman best of all. She's so sad.....llo I don't dress in any special way to go to any of those things. I just'wear my clothes. But when I go to school I like to look nicest. The coach always notices our clothes and he teaches our Science Class. He's the best teacher we've got and he's the most popular too. Why? Oh, he's just nice is all. 143 ”What magazines do you like best, Sharon Sue?” After a pause she said, ”I don't really know as I like any of then. I like funny books though. my mother reads the McCall magazine, but I think that's icky.” ”Tell me, what do you enjoy the very most at home?” ”That's easy”, said the girl with the candor of her twelve years, ”I like the way my mother fixes chicken on Sunday, but I don't like washin' the dishes afterwards, and I always have to do it because I'm.the one who has to earn her spending money at hams.” After she had finished, I asked what she liked least at home and her answer was, ”Well, I just told you. The dishes on Sunday. They're bad enough any day, but on Sunday they're practically an insult.” I thanked the D.'s and said good-bye, and hurried home to my study to put the notes taken into thoughts, before I should lose some of the precious intangibles that can be felt, but not always seen or heard. CASE STUDY 2 INDUS TRY THE B---FAMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE THIRTY-EIGHT THE MOTHER, AGE THIRTY-TWO GIADYS, AGE FIFTEEN EVERETT, AGE FOURTEEN BABY, AGE TWO YEARS The B. family live in a rather drab, dreary house, which shows its need of paint badly. Mr. B. works in a trailer plant, when, as he says, he is able to. In my preliminary contact, I had asked his fore- man to allow me to speak to him and had been shocked at his emaciated appearance, and wondered what caused the extreme pallor of his face. He was very thin, and in fact, had almcst a wasted look about his whole body. He sat down with me for a moment while I explained the purpose of my visit and told him I had already called at the house, but had found no one at home except the children, and didn't like to try to make an appointment for the interview with them. He had expressed his willingness to participate in the study, but now he looked at me and shook his head. ”It'll be okay with me for you to come. Don't count too much on my wife bein' there.” On the afternoon of February 10, according to the pro-arranged plan, I called at the B. home and to my great satisfaction, found both Mr. B. and his wife there. The baby, a toddler of two years, sat on 145 the floor with his toys in contentment. I explained that I would like to interview them separately if possible. Mr. B. said that if that was the case, I'd better talk to him first as he had to be at work at four o'clock. Immediately, Mrs. B. said in a pouting voice, ”Oh, Ed, I want you to have someone else work for you tonight, can't you? Gladys and Everett won't be here and I want to go away and I can't leave the baby alone.” As her husband shook his head at her, she left the room, taking the baby with her. Mr. B. sighed and said, ”That's a sample of it. How can a man work an' stay with a baby?” I did not answer him, but looked around the rooms while I was adjusting my chair and my purse. The room seaed to be a combination living and dining room and was rather cluttered, but not actually dirty. The table, at which they apparently ate their meals, was covered with oilcloth in a pattern of mixed colors and was set with pepper, salt and other condiments. There was a davenport covered with a blanket. a play pen occupied one corner and an oil burner took up considerable space in another corner. The air was not conducive to comfort. The room looked as though it must be the place where the entire family spent most of their time. Baby diapers were on a rack near the stove, a pair of roller skates on shoes lopped over an air rifle, and a stack of comic books occupied a small and table by the davenport. 146 I looked back at the man with whom I was about to become better acquainted, and found him studying me with an odd look on his face. It startled me into saying, ”A penny for those thoughts, Mr. B.” I was just thinking that when you came to the plant the other day, I was sure I knew just what you wanted. You fooled me though, unless you didn't tell the truth. Do you honestly want what you said you wanted? It's been a long time since I could trust a stranger. I put him as ease by virtually swearing that I wanted nothing more or less than to interview him and his family in regard to a study I was making as I had indicated on my first contact. I asked, B.” Why should you doubt me Mr. B.? I will go away, now, if you really wish me to, and I will not come back unless at your invitation. I give you my word of honor that no slightest harm can come to you or your family through this study and that your name will never appear in print. Now will you tell me why you let me come out here if you really didn't want me to? You could have said 'No' when I called at the plant, you know. I said 'Yes' because I wanted to get you out of there, Mrs. King. You wouldn't understand that I know, but I've had so many calls at the plant that I'm afraid I'll get fired if anything more comes up, and it would be hard to get another job right now. I hate to say this, but every time I turn around there's a bill collector after)». I thought you must be a little more smart than the others. A new approach or something, you know. But I guess you are on the level. ”Being a bill collector is the last thing I could ever do, Mr. I admitted. ”But why do they frighten you so? Everyone has bills to pay.” Kr. B's lips twisted in a grimce as he said, ”Notmy kind of bills, they don't. Why, I never know what the next day is going to bring.” ”Iould you care to tell me about it, Mr. B? If you'd rather 147 not, just skip it and we'll go on with the questions.” For a moment there was indicision on the man's face, and he hesitated. Suddenly he said, ”No, I think I'd like to tell you. It's driving me nuts and I don't know what to do about it.” You see, Mrs. King, we moved here from Marion, and I had moved to Marion from Cadillac. I used to live in Cadillac where w folks lived. Gladys, that's w girl, and I didn't get along so well after her mother died. My father and Mother are both dead and there wasn't anyone to take care of her. I sold our house and went to Marion where I'd heard of a good job. I got it, too. Gladys and I had rooms with some people and the woman took care of her while I worked. If I'd stayed out of the restaurant, I'd of been all right and maybe things would be different now. He paused and I had to rouse him by asking what happened at a restaurant in Marion that had altered his life. Plenty happened, llrs. King. A man's a fool to let any woman feed him a lot of dope about helping him, if you'll excuse me for say- ing so. The thing tilt the restaurant had to do with it was that my wife, Betty, was working in there, and before a month we were married and I lmd four people to support instead of two. ”Four?” I questioned. ”Yes, four, Gladys, Betty, Everett and myself and things have been going from bad to worse ever since. Now we have the baby, it makes five of us.” ”Mrs. B. had Everett then, when you were married?” I asked. Sure, she fed me a lot of dope about how unhappy she was and how it was all her husband's fault that they got a divorce and how hard it was for her to be alone with a boy to take care of. How the court ever let her have him is more than I know. He's a fine boy too, in spite of everything. Again he paused and I prompted‘ him by asking what had seued to be the trouble. ”Trouble?” He said the word in a sarcastic manner and was silent for a moment. I waited. P3131911“?- 148 The trouble was that the reason she was divorced was that her first husband couldn't support her, I guess. Anyway he couldn't pay the bills she ran up on him for furniture and clothes and groceries and I've been trying to keep ny chin above water for seven years now, and the bills keep coming. It's easy to say they're outlawed, but that don't make much difference. We've got plently that're not. How she does it is beyond me, except that she'll work for a couple of weeks at a time and then on the strength of that, charge something at a new place. She never holds a job long enough to finish paying for what she charged. I'm at the point now of ditching the whole thing, but there's the baby to think of now. ”What are the charges for, Mr. B., anything in particular?” Dresses, shoes, powder, creams and lipstick, bathrobes, stockings, and anything her fancy hits on. She's got no more control of herself than a child of six. The latest stunt she pulled was that there was to be a banquet at the hotel. She worked there for two weeks and she said the manager said that all the wait- resses had to have a new outfit for that banquet. She came home with a new dress, shoes, and I don't know what all. Last week, the store called me at the plant and asked me to come in and settle for it to the tune of twenty seven dollars. I used to have ambitions, but now I'm ready to give up the whole works; Why, they even came from Marion to get the furniture she said was hers when we got married. I managed to save that, but you can see now why I thought you might be a collector. My mother would have said to stick it out. She always told me to stick things out and I remember that after nw father died, I was only seven, she always said, 'Eddie, we'll stick it out together.' I hate to let her down, so I keep trying, but my mother would never understand this and I'm afraid her method of solving all her troubles by praying, and then doing, wouldn't work. ”When you were a boy at home, did you go to church with your mother and father?” I asked. I don't remember too much about mt father going to church, except I can remanber sitting in his arms and looking at the overhead lights'and seeing the statue of Christ up in the front of the church.” I don't believe Mother ever went to church much after he died. Anyway, I don't remember it. She was always so busy 'Orking to keep things going, so I could stay in school, and I did until I got out of high school. But after that I had to earn 149 a living. Mother died, and when I was twenty I married Mable. She died when Gladys was about seven. I'd been all right now if that hadn't happened. Mable was in my grade and we went to Sunday School together until we were in high school. ”I suppose you had no problems in those days, Mr. B? Do you remember anything about the way you dressed for Sunday School or Church, or the way your parents dressed?” He thought for a moment and them answered, It's hmny to think of those days now, Mrs. King, but I do remember one thing my father once said. I must have been just a very little fellow. He said, 'Mamrm, you must not wear black. It makes for sadness.' I remember my mother going in the bedroom and changing her dress, and I don't ever remember seeing her in black again, not even at my father's funeral. She used to tell me never to have a black suit and I've never had one. In fact, I'll be lucky if I'm ever able to get another suit. Everett needs one now and I'm determined the boy have a chance. There's one thing that's cane out of this thing, and that's a good friendship with Everett. He and Gladys get along fine, too, but I'm worried about her. I'd like them to go to school every day and have a chance to get a real education, but I'll never be able to do it. Betty keeps first one and then the other home to do the work and stay with the baby, so she can work a few days or go places. I try to make her understand, but I've decided its not much use. Everett does go to Sunday School , but Gladys has to help at home most of the time. ”Do you and your wife go to church, Mr. 3.?” I asked. He looked at me with rather {helpless look and said, Church? With Betty? No, never once since we've been married. I was taught to pray when I was little and I tried, when we were first married, to have the children say their prayers at night and to say something at the table like I remembered at home, but it takes a mother to get kids to say those things and I got through trying a long time ago. If I can just last out until they're a little older....... His voice trailed off and he sat staring into space. 150 ”Mr. B., do you plan the spending of your income with your wife and children? Perhaps that would help. If not, in just what way could they help you most in cooperating with you in regard to the way the money is used?” Mr. B. rubbed his hands together and answered, I couldn't plan if I tried. There's nothing to plan. I get about two hundred a month at the plant. I could make a little more if I oculd stand it to do the over-time work, but I can't. I have something wrong with my back, and have had for years. Betty takes the check and cashes it when its not garnisheed. That's the last I see of it. Everett works at the bowling alley setting up pins and earns most of what he has. She even tries to borrow his money, and she can be persuasive. I haven't meant to make you think that she's mean, 'cause she's not. She's not seen to Gladys, either, but she can twist both of them around her little finger and make them want to do without so she can have. Still, she manages to make them look pretty much all right and so far I've kept all this from them. They know we have a hard time making ends meet, but that's all, so far as I know. You asked how they could cooperate. The kids cooperate all right as it is, and Betty could if she would. She could stop this charging business and act like a woman, but I think it's in her blood and she'll never change. It's been between us for seven years now, until it's like a cancer. Sometimes I think if I took my check and spent it all on myself, it might teach her a lesson, but I can't do it. I haven't had anything but work clothes since we got married, but it don't matter so much about me. I don't feel like going anywhere anyway. If she'd stay at home and keep the work done and keep things looking like something, I'd be glad. She's kidded Gladys into thinking it's her job to do things like that and I've not said anything. It won't hurt her to work, but that won't help much. She keeps the girl satisfied by giving her some of her things that she ought to be ‘wearing longer, herself, instead of buying now; ”What do you think of the 'New Look' in clothing, Mr. 3.?” I asked. ”I think that I'm.sick and tired of clothes in general.... When.you say 'New Look', do you mean the long dresses or do you mean the men's clothes that women wear?" I told him.I would be glad to 151 have his views on both and waited for him to speak again. It won't take me long to tell you what I think about pants on Betty. She wears them in the house a lot and goes down town in them too. I don't care for them on any woman. I get nowhere with her when I say that, for her answer is always that she'd think I might like them if I don't want her to spend so much money on dresses and that slacks are cheaper. Are they? It was a direct question, and he waited for an answer. I avoided it by saying that some were less and some were more expensive than dresses. Well, I wouldn't like them if they were cheaper. That's one thing Gladys hasn't wanted so as I know of. The business of the long dresses has been Betty's excuse for buying more clothes. If she'd fix up the things she had last year and the year before she'd have a whole new outfit, but she don't do anything useful. ”Did your mother used to sew for you, too, when you were a boy?” I asked. ”Not that I remember of, except she used to turn the collars on my shirts when they got frayed. The cuffs, too, and she made her own clothes, I think." ”How would you say your family would compare in appearance with other families you know, Mr. B.?” The answer came without hesitation. I'd say that if no one knew the actual truth, that anyone would think we were in pretty fair circumstances. Even I could make a pretty fair appearance in the suit I was married ii. We never go out that way, and I don't see much of other families. When I'm not working I'm sleeping or doing house work and taking care of the baby. Poor little fellow, there's not much in store for him I'm afraid. ”If you are tied down so much, how do you manage to shop for your clothes, Mr. B.?” ”I don't. We can get our uniforms out at the Plant, and it's taken out of our check. The other things I have to hm. Betty gets, and sometimes she charges them. tooo W share: I 152 get.” It sounded so hopeless in the dreary tone of voice in which the words were uttered that it made my heart ache. He glanced at the alarm clock on the table and said, ”When you have finished, if there's time, I can sleep for an hour before I 20 to work.” He looked weary and pinched around his eyes, much more so than when I had seen him at the plant. His health was shattered, and certainly, he did not look rugged enough to continue under the strain he had indicated he was under. I thanked him whole-heartedly and said I hoped things would eventually straighten out for him. ”If you will please tell Mk8. B. that we are finished, I would like to see her now.” I felt the old urge to tell him.I would try to help him, but refrained, remembering in time that the researcher is not the social worker. I was most curious to see what the interview with.Mrs. B. would bring forth and when she entered the room, I saw at a glance that she was dressed differently than when she entered the romm previously. She had been dressed in a dark skirt and brightly colored smock with a white silk scarf wound around her head turban-fashion. Now she was in a rather fussy looking black dress with cap sleeves and a trim.of black sequins. The dress showed her nice figure off to advantage. Her arms were white and round, and her hands looked well cared.for, the nails being polished in a bright cherry red to match her lips. Obviously, she had dressed for some special reason and I 153 was interested in knowing why. I suddenly remembered that she had told her husband she‘wanted to go away that evening, and connected it with that. She seated herself and said nothing at all, but seemed to be waiting for me to speak. I made several preliminary remarks, which explained the purpose of my visit and told her that I had called before, but had not found her at home. ”That's why I made the appoint- ment with your husband, Mrs. B., and I hope I am not inconveniencing you by coming this afternoon. If I am, please don't hesitate to tell me and I'll come again if you'll let me.” She answered, ' I'm.g1ad enough to have you come. 'We don't have much company. I hope you won't mind the house looking so. I leave it for Gladys when she comes from school. I think a girl has got to have some work to do to keep her out of mischief. The baby's asleep now, and we can talk. I have to go out at six, so I got ready first. When Gladys gets here she can take care of the baby and do up the rest of the work. Just what did you want to ask me? The womn was friendly and her manner of speaking was pleasant. Except for*her'rather elaborate appearance, which might be justified by her six o'clock appointment, I could find nothing offensive about her. In fact, I could see why any man might be attracted to her, especially a man who had lost his wife and was trying to take care of a young daughter in a strange town. I began the questions in regard to her early life and explain- ed in detail for her, as she would ask frequently, ”Did you want me to go into that?” 154 When I was little, we lived in Grayling. I was born there and we lived there a long time. I didn't like it and I didn't like my father to work in the saw mill. I was always afraid he would get out. I used to cry and beg him to move away from the snow and the mill. I still hate the snow. My father never got cut, but he died when I was twelve years old, and my mother and I went to Marion. I liked it a lot better there. Mother worked and I went to school until I was through the tenth grade. My mother got married then, and that left me on my own until I got married in 1932. I was twenty then. ”I suppose you must have had to wear lots of warm clothes in Grayling, and in Marion, too. Isn't it colder in the winter time than it is here? At least there's more snow and ice at Grayling, isn't there?” I asked. I tell you I hated the snow. We could stay in the house and never go anymore at all, and my mother almcst went crazy wild, she was so lonesome. I can remember her saying she'd run away if we couldn't get out of there. My father liked it and would- n't go. He said it was the only life for him and it didn't matter to him what my mother wanted. I was glad when she got married and had a little fun for once in her life. She never had anything but trouble and life's not worth all that, I always say. She was pretty once, if she'd had anything to do with. ”Do you mean that your people were so poor, than?” I questioned. I mean, that my father was a mis er and never wanted anyone to have anything but himself. My mother said for me never to let any man do to me what she'd had did to her, and I won't. Why should a woman? I can remember my mother going out into the snow drifts without anything to keep her warm or dry, but my father always had enough. I wouldn't give a cent for all the country around there. Pine stumps and sand and snow and poor people. I remember once of having a pair of rubbers in the spring and all I wanted was a new dress for something. When my father said what I needed was rubbers, and that I didn't need a dress, I hated him, and w mother said that was the way he always treated her. I never liked him much. This last statement was made in a flat voice and indicated that she had never changed her mind about her father. 155 ”Do you remember about going to church when you were a child, Mrs. B.?” She thought some and answered, I think my mother must've been ashamed to go. She always said she wouldn't go anywhere until my father would provide for her like he should. He went though, and took me with him, until my mother made him leave me alone. She said when I got old enough, I could decide for myself. He used to carry me on his back, and I liked that until I got bigger, and then I didn't want to go unless my mother would go. Then he got in an accident and a tree fell on him and killed him, and Mother and I went to Marion where my aunt lived. ”Did you ever get so you enjoyed going to church, Mrs. B.?” I asked. Oh, I used to go once in a while before I got married the first time, but I've never gone much since. Seems like there's not much time and I don't know any preacher I like, either. Seems like Everett likes to go to Sunday School though, but we never go now. He went once with some of the neighbor kids and liked it. Everett's a hmny boy, and not a bit like me or any of my folks. He looks like his dad, only he's a lot more generous than his dad was. He was a stingy one. ”Would you care to tell me anything about your first marriage?” I asked cautiously. She answered quickly, ”Heck, no. I don't mind telling about anything. After all, I never done anything to be asham- ed of at all. When I married Dan S. I thought he was a fine man, and we got along fine, until he started getting tight.” ”Do you mean he drank, Mrs. B?” No, I mean he was stingy. He got just like my father and I wouldn't stand for it. I always said no nun was going to ruin w life. He got mad just over a few little bills that every family has, and after a while when we was both good and sick of everything, we got a divorce, and I don't lmow where he is. He said he'd just get out and let me have everything we had, which showed he was in the wrong. After Everett was seven, I met Ed, and we decided to get married and bring up our children together. He had Gladys and I had Everett, and we come here and he got a job at the Trailer Plant. We've lived here seven years now. I 156 never thought I'd ever marry a man with a kid, but Gladys is a real big help to me and easy to manage. Everett is a good boy, and they both help with the baby. I don't expect we'll have any more. At least, I hope not, and it won't be my fault if we do. Ed's not very well, but I tell him if he'd get out and go some- place once in a while he'd feel better. He just sleeps and pokes around. That's not nw nature. I like to have a little fun as I go along. She looked pensively at her nails as she held them to the light for closer inspection. ”Do you work outside your home, Mrs. 8.?” Now and then. Enough to get a few little things I need, and then Gladys has to have things for school and I let her have some of mine that a girl her age can wear. I like her to look pretty so people won't think I'm mean, like a step-mother. She does lots of the work for me, so she really earns the things I give her. ”Do you ever have to make them over for her, before she can wear them?” I continued. She What me? Tut's a joke. I can't sew a stitch, except to sew on buttons and things like that. Gladys is getting so she can, though, and I think I'll have her take some in school next year. No, I don't make them over. I don't have to. They fit her as they are. I only give her sweaters and skirts and blouses, mostly. But we both wear a size fifteen in a dress, so they fit her pretty well too. ”What do you think of the 'New Look' in clothing, Mrs. B?" answered promptly, I Love it. I think every woman would like it, but some of them don-rt,— I guess. I tell Ed it's important to look like other people, but he's getting old, I guess, and he's not interested at all. He just wishes we could save some money, but who could on his salary? It's just impossible, but I can't make him see that. He has the idea that we should pay for everything as we get it, or go without, but that don't work either. He'd have a fit if he....... She turned toward the door through which her husband had gone and lowered her voice in a confidential manner, 157 ....knew that I charged things today, after he told me not to. It's the only thing we quarrel about, but all people have something to fuss over and I always say it mdght as well be money as any- thing else. He's not mean about money like my first one was, though. I tease him.by getting slacks to wear around the house and that makes him mad. I tell him.if he don't look out, I'll walk out on him.someday and find a man that will take me out, but I only do it to tease him. I have a good time and he gets what he wants, and his grumbling about the money is just like any man, I guess. I take all the responsibility off his hands and pay what I can on everything. "Do you plan the spending of the money you both earn, tOgether, or do you do the planning by yourself, Mrs. B.?” we don't have a budget, if that's what you mean. He likes to order me around and tell me what he wants done with his check, but I think it's a wife's right to take her husband's check and make it go as far as she can, so I do just that, and I'm not to blame if it don't always go as far as he thinks it should. It takes a lot of money to keep going nowadays and I guess no man understands the things a woman has to have. I can keep him jollied up pretty well, though. He really should see a doctor about his back, I think, but we'll have to wait until we get Dr. lolfe paid for my last bill. I've never been very well since the baby was‘born, and I can't lift anything much yet. ”I suppose Gladys and Everett will want to go to college some day, soon as they finish high school, won't they?” I asked. Mrs. B. was positive as she answered, 3.? If they do, it'll be on their own, for I'd never slave to send them. .After all, no one sent me to college. I don't much think it has ever entered their heads. Everett likes Sunday School so much that maybe he'll want to be a preacher, but he's never said, and Gladys is so quiet that you'd never know what she wanted. ”Do you encourage the children to buy their own clothes, Mrs. I mean, of course, those that must be bought?” Everett buys his own things because he earns his own money at the Bowling.Llley, but Gladys don't have a chance to. She's too busy here at home, so I give her fifty cents now and then for spending money and I buy what things she needs. She's easy to satisfy and never gives me any trouble at all. She'd like to stay with 158 children and earn some extra money, but I need her here to stay with the baby. I go to the show with some of the girls and we play some cards and it would be foolish to hire some other girl. ”What are some of the things you like to read, Mrs. B.?” Well, you might not approve of it, but I really like the True Story Magazine best of all. I don't like Gladys to have ose kind, though, so I keep then put away. Ed would think they didn't amount to much either, I guess, but what does it matter as long as you can get some enjoyment out of them. Besides, every story I've ever read has a moral in it. The kids bring home books from school to read, but I never read them. I do most of my read- ing while Ed is sleeping in the daytime, and he's always too tired to want to read. We're going to have a new radio sometime and when we do, he'll like to listen to that and save himself reading the paper. We've been taking the Lansing paper, but I've about de- cided to stop it. A sudden wail from the baby brought Mr. B. out of the room where he has been resting, with the child in his arms. He looked refreshed and not quite so white and tired as when he had retired. His glance at the clock made me donscious of the time. It was three thirty and time for him to start for work. His wife produced a lunch pail which must have been made ready before my arrival. The baby was deposited on the floor where he had been playing before his nap. He began a fresh wail as his father disappeared, and Mrs. B. excused herself saying, ”It's time for Everett and Gladys to be coming. I'll let them take turns taking care of the baby and helping me with supper and that way you can talk with the one who's not helping me.” She put on the smock she had worn earlier in the afternoon and held the baby high in the air until he smiled through his tears. Iithin a matter of minutes, the boy and girl I had met on my previous visit came home from school and recognised me as they entered 159 the room where I sat. Immediately the mother said, Everett, you go to the store first of all, and get the things we need and after that you can start the work and watch the baby while I get supper. We have to have it early tonight. Gladys, you can talk to Mrs. King until she finishes with you and then you can take Everett's place and he can talk to her. Come on DOWe Thus admonished, both youngsters moved. ”Will you excuse me for a minute, Mrs. King?” asked Gladys. At my nod and smile she left the room, but was back in a moment and said, ”I'm ready now.” We were alone in the room where I had been since my arrival much earlier in the afternoon. Gladys was a girl of simular figure as that of her step- mother, but looked entirely different in other ways. Her expression was sweet and her manner refined in an intangible way that was strikingly different from that of the older woman. I could not put my finger on the difference, but there it was. Her fair hair was nicely arranged in a girlish manner and her dark skirt and pink sweater looked very nice and quite appropriate for a girl of her age. ”Will you be very kind, Gladys, and answer some questions for me? Will you tell me first of all what your ideas are about the way a family should share the income which it has? I mean, of course, the money your father earns, with which he supports his family.” She hesitated a moment and then answered, Well, I'm afraid Daddy isn't too happy about the way the money is spent, but I don't think it's anyone's fault, especially. I worry about it, but I don't lmow what to do. We studied about a budget at school, but I don't know how it would work with us. Mother takes care of those things for Daddy. He doesn't know that I how he isn't happy and I don't want him to, but I know he isn't, 160 and I know’he isn't well. I'm afraid I didn't answer very well, but I just don't know. ”Do you have an allowance, Gladys, and if you do, what do you buy with it?” I don't have one. my mother gives me spending money and Everett gives me some, too. I earn some at school working for one of the teachers, but no one but Everett knows about that. I don't think it's wrong not to tell, and anyway, I've told now. The reason I don't tell is a funny reason that I'd rather not say. I really earn my clothes working here at home, and for my spending money for all the little things like paper and things, so I don't really need an allowance. I know some of the girls wish they could get a chance like I have, so I guess I'm lucky. You see, Mother needs things more than I do, and her clothes fit me so well that I can use them.and she can have new ones. She picks out things just like I like to have, and it saves me all the bother. Maybe when I'm.a senior, I'll have to have more things, but if I do she'll see that I have them. Isn't she pretty? All the girls think I'm lucky to have her for a mother. Of course I think so, too. She She sacrifices a lot for us and she isn't my real mother, but it seems as if she is. ”Will you tell me some of your ideas in regard to your home life in general, your responsibilities and your problems, Gladys?” I asked. .After thinking for a moment, she said, Well, I'll take the responsibilities first. I think every girl should be willing to work and she should be near when needed. I think she should be neat and take care of her clothes. I think she should be courteous and not quarrel. I guess that's all, except I think I should do more for my father. I help with his clothes and I think he likes that, but I'nrnot home much of the time when he is except on Sunday. I wish he didn't have to work so hard. He is always'working and never goes anywhere at all. I wish we had a car so he wtuldn't have to walk to work. I'll be out of school in two more years and then.maybe I can help. Mother says maybe she can help more by that time, too. I wish we had a bigger house and someday we will have. To go back to responsibilities, I think it's one to get Daddy to rest more and do more things. I have a personal problem with a boy who wants to take me to things. I can't go out at night when I have to stay with the baby, and I don't know what to do. I have another one too. I have to stay out of school sometimes and the principal can't understand. I hate to tell him that 11W mother and 161 'works sometimes and needs me to stay at home, so I tell him I'm sick, but he never thinks I look sick. I don't want people to think she has to work. Daddy doesn't make her. She just wants to help him. Everett tells fibs, too, when he stays out. ”Whose opinion do you value most in regard to your clothing your personal appearance?” I asked. I think some of my friends at school. The girls always tell each other what they look like. I'd hate to have them think I didn't look nice. we always ask each other what they are going to wear. Some of the girls dress just for the boys, but I think it's important to have the girls like our clothes. ‘We mostly wear sweaters and skirts, but I have some blouses that the girls like. ”What do you have to wear that you like best of all?” She answered promptly. had my green bolero suit and white blouse. It was too short for my mother and just right for me. I was lucky it was green for that's the color I look best in, I guess, and all the girls say they're jealous'when I wear it. They're not really, they only say that. None of are that way'with each other, but it's fun to have them say they are. They like my bolero because it's not just any old bolero, but it has a cute little change purse that zips in and looks like a pocket. 'When I asked her about the use of cosmetics and so forth, she definite opinions. I think every girl and boy should use something under their arms, and that's what I spend some of my money for. Everett and I share it. I've never used a razor under my arms, but I'm.going to. My legs don't need it yet. I think if clothes are all smelly, that no one would like you. I don't use any cosmetics, except some of my mother's lipstick. Daddy doesn't like it so I try not to do it much. I use a little, though. Mother has plenty of stuff like that and I can use it if I want to. I got some perfume for Christmas and I like perfume better than cosmetics. In fact, I'd rather get perfume than anything I can think of. ”Even better than clothes?” I questioned. ”Well,” she hesitated, ”I'd put perfume and hose together, because it's hard to get enough hose and it's hard to get enough underwear.” ”Is 162 ”Will you tell me some of the things you do for recreation?" Well, I don't do much this year, but I'll do more next, I think. Mother says the baby will be older then, and if Everett isn't at the Bowling Alley he'll be here more, anyway. Right now I have to do it more, because he's got a job. I want to go to the game tonight, but I'm not sure I can. It's a school night anyway. I dance at the Gym noons when I take my lunch and once in a while I go to the show. I read a lot on Sunday and at school. That's about all, I guess. I used to go to Sunday School, but it's the only day Daddy's home and we have time to talk. Sometimes it would do him good to go to a movie or for a walk, but he needs to rest, I guess. I wanted him to go with me to see Paulette Goddard last Sunday, but we didn't go. she your favorite star, Gladys?” I asked. Well, I wouldn't say she was 11y favorite. I like a lot of stars, but I wanted to see the show she was in. I read about it in the American magazine at school. We have to read some articles in it and I read that one. I like a lot of magazines and we don't take any, so I read them in the library. In answer to my query as to what person she most admired, she said, Miss T. the best of all. She's the teacher I work for at school. I like her more than anyone, because she can keep a secret. She knows what I'm keeping my money for that she pays me, and she doesn't think it's silly. Would you like to know? I have a notion to tell you ans see if you think its silly. I literally held my breath for fear she might change her mind. I nodded and smiled without speaking. It was a moment for silence l rather than words. She thought for a moment and suddenly said, It's for a new suit for Daddy. I feel so guilty having things and Daddy having nothing but every day clothes. It isn't any- body's fault, but I want him to have a new suit. The red color stained her face and she was poised on the edge of her chair as if for flight. I had difficulty keeping tears from my eyes, but managed a smile and putting my arm around her said. 166 ”That's the finest thing any girl could ever do, Gladys. I hope I'll find out some way when it happens. Do you think I could?” he she started backing from the room, I said, ”Gladys, there is just one mre thing I'd like to ask. Will you tell me what things you enjoy the very most and the very least at home?” With rather a startled look, she turned toward me again and said, ”I enjoy Everett the most, I guess, because he is so good to me. It's hard to say what I enjoy the least, but I think it's worrying for fear my dad will really get sick. TU mother isn't very well either.” With a final little smile and nod she disappeared. In a short while, Everett appeared looking a little embarrassed and shy. To break the ice, I asked about the rabbit hutch I had seen outside the house and mentioned the rifle and skates. He seemed to think that here was someone quite human after all, and thawed visibly. ”You're wrong though, if you think the skates are mine. They're my mothers and I guess Gladys can wear them, if she ever wants to. I don't skate, except on the side walk once in a while.” The ice was broken and I told Everett I would not keep him long as I understood that he had a job, and that there was an early supper. ”Tell me about that job of yours, Everett.” Oh, the job isn't so much, but it'll do until I get a better one. When I work every night and Sunday afternoon, I get a pretty good check, and I can get my hamburgers too, whenever I get hungry. Boy, can they make good ones: I'd like to get a full time job next su—pr, but I can only work so many hours a week until I'm older. Ill be fifteen in May. This job makes me a lot more 164 money than my paper route used to, or raising rabbits, either. Oh, I do lots of things with my money. My folks don't have to give me any. Sometimes, I give them some. My mother, that is, and sometimes my sister. W dad won't take any. He says if I buy nu own clothes and have my own spending money, that's all he asks. I can do that all right. I wish I could go to more of the games though. Sure, I like to buy my own clothes. W mother tells me what to get and I get it. She's not very well, and she says it helps her. My dad says I should save some of my money, but I guess I can't this year. Maybe next year, I can. I don't do much of anything, but go to the show once in a while when I'm not working, and I give fifteen cents to Sunday School every week. ”Do you dress in any special way to go to Sunday School, Everett?” I asked. He answered with a great show of enthusiasm, Sure, I put on my brown suit. All the boys that go, do. We have a regular club at Sunday School with all of us in one class and we do lots of things. No girls in it and Mr. L. is swell. The girls just rave a class and I don't think they have much fun. I know Gladys don't go. Mr. L. talks to us about everything and he tells us things like how to act when we go out, and things like that. A lot of the fellows from some other church would like to come to that one I'll bet. Oh, it's the Methodist Church, and I started to go because some of the boys at school did. All of us sure like hme ”Do you wear that brown suit to Sunday School because you like your teacher or because you like the suit, Everett?” It's my best suit and I wear it because all the fellows dress up to go to church. W mother makes me, anyway, but I like to. W other suit, my old one, is brown too. No, I don't know how to press m suit. My mother has me take it to the cleaners when it needs it. She and my sister do, too. I think I'll learn how to press my pants, though. My dad said he'd show me and he'd sure like it if I learned and saved the money from the cleaners. How soon I'll learn I don't know. How do I think I look? Aw, I don't know. All right, I guess. If a fellow is clean, Mr. L. says that's most important, but sure I think clothes are important. They're most important to women, though, I guess. My mother says a woman can't get a job unless she looks about all right. ”u. i'”. ‘li‘ .17“ you 165 ”Do you date with girls, Everett?” I asked. Nope, not much. I've had one, but I don't think it was really a date. 'We just had a coke at Simi's. I like girls all right, but it takes too much money, and I can have a better time with the fellows. I sorta' had a girl at Christmas and I haven't had one since. I bought her a present and she bought me one, but I didn't like it. It was just a colored handkerchief. I like mine white. I let Gladys have it. No, I don't dance. Maybe I'll learn this summer. I don't know, I just don't want to i8 Elle Deoderants? I sure do think boys should be interested in 'em. Mr. L. talks about that to us. I use some all the time and I don't think it's a waste of money, but I sure think the girls waste it on lipstick. It's all right for older women, maybe, but I think it looks like heck on the girls. My dad thinks so too, and he don't like Gladys to wear it, or my mother either. ”Do you like to read, and if so what books or magazines do prefer?” Sure, I like to read, but I don't have much time. I like the National Geographic magazine best of all, but I don't know why unless it's because I'd like to travel sometime when I get out of school. 'We've never gone anywhere like that, but if I can get a car sometime, maybe we can. my dad's not well enough to worry about a car, but I sure would like to have one. Did you talk to my dad? I don't tell anyone, but I sorta"worry about him. my mother says he's all right, though, so he's probably just tired. It would be hard to say'what I enjoy most at home, but I guess it'd be the baby. Some of the fellows kid me once in a while for helping take care of him, but I don't care. I'm going to show him a lot of things. I like all my family, but I guess I like the baby best in a way. I don't know what the least would be unless it's being away so much. I guess that's it. Everett looked serious as he finished and his brown eyes which Vere really beautiful, flashed me a smile that would win the heart of ”W'girl. I guessed that if Everett did not date that it was not the fault of the girls at school, but because he had not become too u... s a, Na II-e. “a“ Ln 1,) 166 interested as yet. I could detect the odor of the supper which Mrs. B. had gone to the kitchen to prepare and knew that I must draw the visit to a close. I asked Everett to tell his mother I would like to say goodbye and told him.hew much I had enjoyed being there. ”Gee, come again, anytime. I'll bet you could get my sister to go to Sunday School, if you had a class.’ I felt a glow of warm feeling come over me at the implied compliment. The baby came waddling through the swing door and the boy ran to catch him. Mrs. B. came to the doorway and said, Everett, if you're through talking, it's time to get the work finished and I want you to see if you can get Gloria to stay tonight, so Gladys can go. She's planned it for a long time, and I hate to make her stay. Could you pay her and tell her just to stay 'til twelve. Your father'll be home soon after that and so will you. She turned toward me, explaining, ”For a couple of weeks now, Gladys had intended to stay with some girls in a pajama party and I have to go out tonight, too.‘' I thanked her and said goodbye and left the house in a puzzled state of mind. ‘Another little section of American life had been un- fOlded e "sq l”:' 3’:- ' an':- \ x 'r ""i 1. .- r.. u CASE STUDY 3 INDUSTRY THE C---FAMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE THIRTY-EIGHT THE MOTHER, AGE THIRTY-SIX CAROL, AGE FIFTEEN SUE, AGE TWELVE The C. family had been contacted on the evening of February first, in regard to allowing themselves to be interviewed. I had never been in the home before but was told very graciously, by Mrs. B., that they would be glad to have me come if I could do so on a Saturday afternoon. That of the fifth was set for the visit. According to schedule, I entered the C. home on Saturday. The house was clean and attractively, though simply, furnished in so far as I could see. There were gayly colored chintz draperies at the windows of a small dining room which could be seen from.the room.in which I sat. There were matching rugs on the two floors and the furniture had a well cared for appearance. I was interested to note that a book case made from brick and polished boards, such as I had seen in.a magazine, filled in space on one section of wall. There was a guano, too, with a clarinet laying on the top. I had found no other home so far among the industrial workers that had appeared at all like this one as to furnishings and attractiveness. inn 0., a man of slender build, blue eyes and balding head, had ushered me in. His wife appeared in the same moment. Both . \w .14 ule .l'l i ‘I . ls \ ‘- ‘uu: - - -s~. 2'. u 168 looked neat and well groomed. Mrs. C. wore a simple, crisp wash frock and her husband was attired in white shirt, bow tie and dark trousers. ‘We chatted easily for a few moments and when I asked which one would prefer being first, Hr. C. said plaintively, 'I'd like to listen in on this thing. I'm interested in it.‘ I'Very well, sir," was the only possible answer unless I wished to indicate that I wanted to keep something secret. I decided to try them together and if it failed to work, to appeal to them for separate interviews. ”We promised the girls a show for tonight if they'd stay at home this afternoon for this. Do you want them now, too?” asked Hrs. C. ”They're cleaning drawers right now.” I explained that I'd much rather the girls did not come until later and that I would like to see each one alone if time pemmitted. The interview was started with the family background questions and I was kept busy jotting down notes, storing certain phrases in my mind and in keeping up with them in general. Here, there was not the ignorance that had been found in the other families. 'It's a man's prerogative to act as head of his family but I'll step aside and let you be first, Chris,” said Mr. C. "Don't forget to say that your father is a Methodist minister. That may explain a lot to Mrs. King.‘ He threw her a glance of teasing affection. Hrs. C. began to relate her story. 'Well, my father is a methodist minister, and I wish I could see him.right now. They live so far away and we won't be able to 169 make the trip before late summer if we do then. My people live in a little town in Colorado. What my husband means about my father being a minister explaining a lot, is that minister's children are supposed to be meek and mild and he doesn't think I all. My father always said I was spoiled because I had my way so much. When I was little we lived in Mt. Pleasant and my father preached there and I grew up, and they stayed there until I finished two years of college there. After that Cal and I were married and they went to Colorado for my mother's health. That's been alm03t sixteen years ago. We try to visit them every tw0 sumers and make that our vacation. Carol's getting so she wants to do something else for a vacation, so we are trying to save for adding more miles to the trip this summer. It's uphill business, though. Both girls are supposed to sacrifice along with us but there are so many temptations for them to spend their money. I save most of what I make when I sub at school for some teacher and Cal has stopped drinking six cokes a day, and puts that money in the fund. You wanted to know about my childhood, didn't you. Well, I think the fact that my father was a minister colored my whole life. I wasn't expected to do this or that because of what people would think. If I acted like a normal child and threw a tantrum, my mother reminded me that Mrs. Jones would think w father wasn't a very good minister and that it would hurt him with his congregation. I hated the Ladies Aid. It was always meeting with my mother and I think my father hated it too. I know he hated kow-towing to all those women and having to listen to their complaints. I've never been able to enjoy the Women's Associatinn here in our church because of my memory of those women. There was one, in particular, who always smoothed my hair and said, 'What a pretty dress our little girl has on today. Is it new and where did your mama get it‘l' How I hated her. My father always said it was none of her business where she got not dresses, but my mother always said that she meant no harm and that I should be a good girl and smile at her without saying anything at all. I wasn't expected to turn cartwheels, either, and once when we were playing circus, I put on my father's pulpit coat so I could look like a clown and the whole neighborhood was scandalized. I must have been quite 9. tom boy, I guess, but some of it was put on because I hated so being a minister's daughter. I'm quite proud of it now, except that sometimes I feel a qualm knowing my mother would say, 'Christine, you must remember that you might hurt your father with his congregation.' I can under- stand Carol's rebellion against some things because of my own experiences. She rebels against church and Youth Fellowship, and right now she is quite a problem to us. She has asthma you flow, from being allergic to something and we never know when she 18 going to have an attack. She had one last Saturday night from the dust at the skating rink, and we had warned and warned u}. Iv‘lq it: 170 her not to go. She's just at the age where she thinks she knows best. She has decided that she should have an allowance that will cover all of her clothes and I know that would be disastrous because she would want everything ready made or at least she would have her way about the materials she bought. I glanced at Mr. C. He sat listening intently to his wife, nodding his head at this or that comment as though in perfect agreement with what she was saying. 'Do you sew for yourself and the girls, Mrs. C.?" She looked at me in surprise and said, Practically everything we have except coats and I still make Sue's. My mother taught me to sew and I never had anything ready made until I was in college, and even then she sewed for me. That's how the women in my father's church thought I had too many dresses. She didn't know that my mother made them. I simply can't understand Carol not wanting me to sew for her. We've had several battles about it. Last summer I showed her how we could save about two thirds of the cost of a bathing suit. I made one of the shirred ones of that heavy satin finished material. I got the same color and cut it the same style and we had to practically hit her over the head to make her wear it. We were going away and I didn't feel that I could spend the money on something like an expensive bathing suit to take along. I guess Sue will have to grow into it for Carol won't wear it at all now. It was the same last Fall with velveteen for a jumper. She wanted ready made. I got the material and the pattern and it's still in the drawer waiting for Carol to make up her mind. It's funny but Child Study Club is supposed to solve all the problems with your children and a problem like this is never even mentioned. I don't bring it up either, as I don't particularly care about everyone thinking our child's a brat. It even reaches the point where I've had to slap her recently. She has yelled so at me that I haven't known what else to do, and have taken that way out. I know it's not recommended by phychologists and I don't believe in it either. I just know that she's so wrong. W mother tried to talk to her the last time she saw her, and got exactly nowhere. My mother would have been shocked if she'd thought I ever ever felt that way about the things she made for me, but I never did. Of course, she never made me a bathing suit. The only thing I can remember not liking was my father's pulpit coat and she didn't make that. si'. 1" ”(Q 171 'Do you make over clothing, too, Mrs. C?“ Not much, because I think it's a waste of time. We usually wear our things so long that they aren't worth making over and I don't enjoy handling worn clothing, even our own, so I send things to the runnnage sales or give them to the girls to take to school. Sue, especially, is always wanting to drag things to school for sending over to some other Country. “Suppose we let you rest for a little, Mrs. C., and we'll let Mr. C. get caught up with you, and then we can go on together.' Mr. C. put down his pipe which he had been holding between his teeth without smoking, and cleared his throat expectantly before beginning. I was born in Isabella County, in Mt. Pleasant and my father and I lived with my grandmother. My mother died when I was born. My gandmother was so strict with me because she was afraid she'd spoil me that my father used to have to rescue me every once in a while and take me on a trip with him. How I loved those trips. He was a salesman for the Harris Milling people and it was a big event for me to go to Cleveland or some other city and stay in a hotel with him. m grandmcther never was very enthusiastic about those trips. She thought something might happen to a boy who stayed in a hotel. I can remember how she would tell me over and over to be sure I used my handkerchief and not the back of IV hand, and that I must sleep with my pajama top on and not off as my dad did. She always cried a little when we got back but never when we went. 8he's dead now, but my father still lives in Mt. Pleasant. He's stopped taking his trips now, but he's still active and well and working. Grandma had more in- fluence over me than anyone else and she was shrewd and kind. She hated to have me tell a lie, and always said that God hated a liar worse than anything. She made such a point of my not ever telling a lie that I got up in church once when everyone had a chance to talk, and said that I wouldn't want to tell a lie, so I'd tell right then that I was going to join the Junior Ku Klux Klan. I almost got away with it too, but Grandmother said she drew the line there and would prefer that I fib a bit rather than to disgrace her in church. She made me say an extra prayer that night and never knew that a bunch of us boys played Ku Klux Klaning for a long tims after that. She was as good to me as a mother could possibly have been, and if I've fallen by the way- side since, it isn't her fault. I can see her yet going down 172 the street with her market basket over her arm. She always wore a white apron that was trimmed with lace and doled out prizes of all kinds from her apron pocket to all the kids in our block. She was pretty much tops with all the boys. She used to make rugs of some kind and she'd sit and sew for hours and tell us stories. She would sew on buttons for the fellows or sew up anyones pants. 'Did she make some of your clothes, too?‘ No. My father said he wouldn't let her do that with everything else she had to do, and I'll confess that after I was thirteen or so I was glad he wouldn't let her. Some of the boys had to wear blouses that their mothers made and they were all right, but the colors weren't like the kind in the stores. I've been think- ing that maybe that's what's the matter with Carol not wanting- her mother to make her clothes. I'd swear Chris makes them look as good as any we buy. Well, to go on, I went to high school but didn't want to go on. I was dead set on getting a job where nw father was, and he let me. I got such a good start at the work that when I wanted to get married, I had no desire to go to school again. We came here because I had a good offer for a job through a friend of mine, and here we've been ever since. I missed out on the war because I was needed, or so they thought. I'm earning good money, but it takes a lot of money these days, and by the time we put two girls through college we'll be old and weary. One thing I'll say for Chris is that she knows how to manage. She has bugeted me to the last cent, and what's more I like it. Upon being asked to explain their method of planning the budget, Mr. C. said, I leave it all up to Chris except the taxes, insurance and things like that. What she says we can spend on other things and what we can save, that's what we dole out. The kids get an allowance and Chris and I get one. The rest goes to the common cause. What each of us does with our private allowance is no ones business and no one meddles. Right now Carol is all hopped up about having enough money so she can buy all her own clothes, but she and her mother will have to work that one out. I'm satisfied to let Chris manage for me. "Is your personal appearance important in your work, Mr. C?” Personal appearance is probably always important in your work, ‘m, I x,“ We: w s 'm 64“ .. 4-.- w 173 and I think it is to me. My share of the work at the plant calls for a lot of desk‘work, so I'm in an office a lot of the time. It requires a business suit and a tie most of the time except when I'm.out through the plant on special assignments. I do a lot of overtime in the plant, and that takes regular coverall type of clothes. I don't know how long I wear a suit. How long is it Chris? Four years is about right I guess. Yes, I like to choose my own and all of my clothes. I guess I got in that habit when my father used to let me pick them out. I think it's a pretty good'thing to let kids do that, and I'm.not sure but what'we shouldn't let both of the girls be on their own. Maybe not Sue for another year, but Carol, anyway. It's funny but I never thought of it before, but I think my family look pretty swell as compared to other families. Of course, I could be prejudiced. "What of the 'New Look' in regard to your family. Is it important?‘ I included both husband and wife in the question and they looked at each other ruefully before either answered. -Finally Mrs. c. said, The new look has been a source of trouble in this family for several months.' Both of the girls have it badly and they look so ridiculous, especially Sue, with things so long. I've an idea that is partly what's the matter with Carol wanting to buy her clothes ready made. I don't make them long enough to suit her. Cal and I both think it's important to look nice, but that it's foolish to go to extremes. I'm certainly not old fashioned and I'm.young enough to want to look my best, but I do think the 'New Look' is a little foolish. Mr. C. nodded in agreement and added, 'We're a little restricted in our thinking by our pocket book, perhaps; I think, though that we're not too far behind the Jonses. As sue says, 'our car is every bit as good as Mr. Bakers." 'Will you tell me some of the things you do together as a family?‘ I asked. ”I know you take trips.‘I Mrs. G. answered, 'lell, we do the family washing and ironing together as a family. ‘We‘wash on Saturday mornings andnwe iron on Monday and Tuesday 174 nights. Cal runs the mangle while I iron his clothes and mine and the table linen. The next night, the girls take turns iron- ing their things. I spend the second night doing all of the mending. Carol has been trying to slide out of her ironing late- ly because of practicing so she can sing in a trio over the local station. I'm afraid it will go to her head if they get a sponsor. You did ask about the things we do, didn't you? 'We go to shows, but not on Sunday, and that's another bone of contention with the girls. 'we think they can go enough on Saturday, and we like them at home on Sunday. ‘We like to go on drives together and we have a hobby club. Cal and Carol made the bookcase and Sue and I are ‘working on a seed picture. The next project is to come from.the hobby magazine which seems to be the favorite around here. 'We'll all work together on the next one. Maybe it will be our fire- place for the back yard. Since we bought this place, we try to do something for face lifting each year. 'We go to church suppers and we have our friends go with us on picnics. That about does it, wouldn't you say, Cal? ”How about playing poker,” he teased. Her face flushed a little and then she explained that Carol had come home and announced that she was learning at school. ”Cal decided he'd take us all in hand. It sounds perfectly awful to say it though." I laughed, knowing how she felt at that moment toward her husband. Mrs. C. answered my last question by saying, ”Yes, we have a radio, but there are no special programs that we listen to that I know of. Just music and the news broadcasts.” As Mrs. C. stopped speaking, I glanced at the clock and found that it was nearly three o'clock. Mrs. C. suggested a cup of tea wiuxsome of the morning's baking, and I was glad to relax before seeing the girls. Both of them appeared freshly scrubbed and shining and acted very proper and at ease. I was glad to have an opportunity for In". an“ :5. as. “I 5 ’1' 'H V. x. I O 175 establishing a frieni 1y relationship with them. When we had finished, Mr. C. announced his intention of working on his income tax for an hour or so and Mrs. C. insisted that she had several things to do. Sue, the younger girl, was eager to be the first and said, ”Why can't you go over to Joy's and practice for the trio.” Carol agreed and left. Sue and I were left alone in the cozy living room. ”Well, Sue, will you tell me what you think about the sharing of your family money?” I began. Well, I'll be thirteen pretty soon and I think I'm old enough to get a bigger share if that's what you mean. my allowance don't begin to buy all the things I need. If ever I have anything left for paper and stuff, it's unusual, and I have to borrow all the time. My mother thinks a budget is the most important thing there is, but I don't. She won't let me stay with children yet, either, so I den't earn a thing and Daddy says 'Live within your allowance, Sue.' That's what I have to do. It makes me tired. ”Do you buy your own clothes, Sue‘? I mean do you pick them out?” I pick out the colors I want and my mother is pretty keen on sewing. She can even make a coat. All the girls like my things and she makes 'em all. I'm going to learn how, too. I have a model doll now on a standard, and I sew for her. Not that I like to play with dolls. My mother does the buying after I tell her what color I want, and usually she knows anyway. It's pink for everything that can be pink. I like everything she gets, but Carol don't. She's wacky. She can only think of three things, anyway. Clothes, boys and that old radio broad- cast. My mother'l have to take her down a peg again I'll bet. ”Which dress that you have do you like the best of all, Sue?” It isn't a dress that I like best. It's my pink bathrobe, and I simply adore it. I got it for Christmas from 1w grandmother. Carol got a blue one. I like lots of my clothes and if I had to choose a dress, it would be my pink one with the mocking that I 176 had for my recital at Christmas time. ”Do you take care of your dresses by yourself too, since you like them so much?" She answered, "I do, some, but I can't wash them. I can press and take off spots though. Mother buys a bottle of cleaner with a felt on the end and we can take off spots that way." "How do you feel about using cosmetics and deoderants?“ At this question Sue's eyes showed a sudden interest and instead of answering, she asked, "Don't you think a girl nearly thirteen ought to be able to use a lipstick, Hrs. King?" "Well, I suppose it depends, Sue,” I evaded. She continued, Well, I think so and all the girls in the eighth grade think so, and we all use one after we get to school. Oh naturally, some of the girls don't, but I do. Marcia M. and I own one together. She keeps it in her locker one week, and I keep in mine the next week. Her mother'd have a fit, too, if she knew it. I think a girl has to have some secrets, though, and Carol don't know about this one. I met her in the hall the other day and thought she'd caught me forsure, but she was hanging on Barre E.'s arm so hard she didn't see me, her own sister. About the deoderants, I've just started this year, and I guess they are all right. I know some people who ought to use something like that. It isn't anyone in this family though. My jar is my own too. my mother told me she didn't want to catch me using Daddy's electric razor on my legs again or I'd ruin it. I got a keen pair of hose for Christmas ahead of time, and I wore them for my recital, and they were so thin I had.to use Daddy's razor. "Sue, are you ever ashamed or embarrassed by the way any of your family look?“ Sue looked puzzled for a moment before she answered. Nothing but Daddy's bow tie, and I hate to have people think he's a Democrat, and I've heard some of the men say that. I'm going to ask him not to wear it. I think Carol looks awful sometimes, but not the ashamed way. Just wacky. 177 'How would you classify yourself in appearance in comparison with your friends?” Sue grinned impishly at me for a brief moment. I'd say I'm.okay if I just don't go and get fat like Carol did once. She's all right now. There's just one thing I'd like to make me look better right now, and that's some crepe soled shoes. All the girls have had them.except me. Upon asking her to tell me about her social activities, Sue waxed enthusiastic. I belong to Junior Scouts and the Junior Missionary Group. we dance at noon at school and I'm.learning to skate at the rink. I'd like to go to the rink with a boy so he could pay for me. Mother says the budget won't stretch for too much skating. If it's all right for a boy to walk home from school with me, I don't see why it isn't all right to skate with him. I don't care so much, only Carol can go out there with a load and ride home with a boy. I just don't see the difference is all. No, I don't dress in any special way to go to anything except to church and to my recitals and I wear my best dress for both, only sometimes I don't go to church. I dress up the most for recitals, and Carol has them, too. Our teacher, Mrs. Stewart, says that I'll catch up with Carol if she don't watch out. Oh yes, I go to movies and I like Rosiland Russell best because she's so pretty. I can't go on Sunday, though, and that burns me up. “we can't go on school nights either, so it only leaves Saturday. She looked at the clock as shespoke. I said, "Do you think Carol would be through practicing now, Sue?'_ She sprang to her feet with alacrity saying she'd call and see. In less than five minutes, Carol was seated in the chair vacated by her sister. I explained in some detail to Carol why I was there as she expressed an interest that seemed beyond her years. Finally, she said, I think I understand. I wouldn't want to say anything that would reflect on.my family, but I understand now how it is. 178 He hum, I'm all tired out from practicing for our trio. If Mr. T. sponsors us, we are going on the air every Sunday after- noon at three o'clock. We sang last Sunday. Did you hear it? I was forced to admit that I had not, and asked who the other girls were who sang. Daddy says it's the two J's and the C. Joy B, Joan C. and me. Id' I don't know what I'll do if I get an attack of asthma. just die. I'You are very musical are you not, Carol? Think of singing over the radio ' I think it's wonderful.” Carol's interest was caught and she was not at all embarrassed. Her blond hair was in long ringlets on her shoulders and her blue eyes were alert and keen. She threw a whimsical glance my way and said demurely, I'm supposed to be’modest about the radio because we don't have a sponsor yet, and I'm still supposed to be modest if we get one, but we're all just bursting with pride.' The way we've gone up in stock at school is terrific too. Maybe we'll play our clarinets, too, and I may get asked to play the piano. I'm not sure of that. "Well, I feel that's a privilege and you should be proud. I feel also that it's a privilege to interview such a talented young lady, Carol. Shall we start by having you tell me what your ideas are about how the family income should be shared?” Of all the things to get me started on. You'll be sorry you asked me maybe. First of all, I think that when a girl is practically sixteen that it's time her parents stopped think- ing of her as a baby. Some of the girls I now can go to Saginaw alone with a boy. If a girl is old enough to do that she should be old‘ enough to handle her own affairs a little and not have to account for every cent she spends. I suppose you'd call it sharing the family income when my father and mother have a budget and divide the money up into sections. So much for this and so much for that. I'd rather have my share and spend it as I like and if I don't know enough to buy ”.1 an: I as! Was. It.“ ‘1‘ -‘q‘ 179 the things I need, let me go without. I'm embarrassed to tears to have to say that my mother got it for me, or that my mother made it for me. It's all right for her to make sue's things but I think I have a right to have the money they'd spend for me, or that my mother would buy material with, and let me use it the way I'd like to. I can't see anything wrong with that. I know we all share alike according to what we need,and I know that things cost a lot, but I'd still like to spend my own money. I get a dollar a week for a personal allowance, but it doesn't last long and it's only meant for spending money. If we get a sponsor for our trio, we'll get paid for singing, but I don't know how much or if I'll be allowed to spend it as I want to. ”You do seem to have a problem. Are there other problems besides the one you have mentioned?" I asked. Carol thought for a mount and then answered, aren't much except I don't like to go to Youth Fellowship, and I don't see why it's so important. A lot of us have gotten so we go and then leave and go to the Canary for an hour. It's the same way with Sunday School. Sometimes we leave and go to the gang hang-out for e. sundae or a milk shake. We have the same teacher for both and he almost always cries and tells us how he used to run a saloon and how wicked he was. It was all right for a few times and we all cried with him, but it's tiresome Sunday after Sunday. Mother and Daddy can't see it though. I guess not of my problems don't sound like much. I have one other and it's connected with the first one. My mother and I aren't nice to each other and she gets so angry. I guess I'm to blame too, but it's pretty awful and I'd rather not tell you anymore about it. About the clothes, if I've got to be real honest, I'll say that my clothes would be all right if I bought them, but I don't like them because I want to buy them ready made. All my other troubles 'You must have some things that you like, Carol. That's a pretty jumper you have on. It looks like one I saw advertised in the Detroit Times. What do you like most of all among your clothes?’ I think you are just trying to get me to say I like somefliing when I don't. I really like a blouse I got from my aunt at Christmas. It's powder blue. If she made it, I can't tell it but I can always tell when mother makes something. She tells 331 180 everyone how much she saved by making it. I'd rather have fewer clothes and have them cost more. When asked whether she was ever ashamed of her parents of their appearance, or her sister, she shook her head emphatically and said, ”No, why should I be?” 'How would you classify your own appearance in comparison with that of your friends?” I asked. Carol thought, and rather a sulky look crept over her face. 'I'd like to say that I didn't compare very well, but I suppose I look all right. My skirts aren't long enough, but they're good mough. Thatisn't meaning that I like them, though,” she insisted stubbornly. In discussing social activities, Carol said, I've already told you about some of the things I do. I skate and I do like my skating skirt. It's a red corduroy and it looks good with my white shoe skates. I belong to Girl Scouts but I'm giving that up to practice with the trio. I go to school dances and some movies. Sue and I go to the show to- gether sometimes only I don't like the Saturday shows very well. I don't think I have a favorite movie star. I like a lot of them. 'Do you like to read, Carol?” Oh sure. We all read. I've read a lot of magazines that would slay my mother. Some of the kids work nights after school at the publisher's office, and they bring the pocket size to school. We've been reading God's Little Acre this week. My favorite mBtgitsine though is Seventeen because I like the stories and the clothes. an of the—WI go around with like that one. A lot of the girls like True Story , but most of us have outgrown that stuff. Sue is just getting so she likes it. Mother doesn't know that Sue ever saw one I'll bet. 'For our last question, Carol, will you tell me what you enjoy most and least at home?’ She answered, 181 I've never thought of it before just like that. Let me think and I'll tell you. It's easy enough to say that the least is not having money to buy my own clothes and things and having to go to things I don't like to go to. I might say, too, that I don't like being told what to wear. I am old enough to wear a good dress for special things and every day things for every day. I don't like to be told to take care of my room.or'my clothes, either. I always do it without being told to. I like to be treated like my age. The thing I enjoy most is a problem. I think, though, it's our hobby club and my music. Mrs. Stewart is interested in our hobby club and is coming over some night when we're working. She is our music teacher and the nicest person I know. r1- CASE STUDY 4 INDUSTRY THE T---FAMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE FORTY-FOUR THE MOTHER, AGE FORTY-TWO YVONNE, AGE FOURTEEN JACQUELINE, AGE TWELVE After having made a preliminary contact by telephone, I called on the '1‘. family and was received graciously enough by Mrs. L, Who is a woman of rather peculiar appearance. Her hair is of 8 bright carroty red and rather bushy from too many permanents, and her pale eyes and freckled skin do not make for beauty. The room in which I found nwself seated was the living room of the home and was quite adequately furnished. It was filled Vith little odds and ends to such an extent that I found it quite difficult to keep my eyes from wandering. In spite of myself, I OOUnted forty-one ornaments on the wall which ranged from a series of blue birds in flight to little glass animals and artificial fruit in bowls. I found myself staring at two pictures which were side by side on a table, and came to with a start as I realized that my hostess was speahng to me. I had not meant to stare, but 50th of the men in those two pictures were so exceptionally good looking that I wondered who they were. 183 'That's Roy and Allie in the pictures. Did you know Allie when he was electrocuted‘:m The question took me completely by surprise and my face must have betrayed me for she quickly added, "Allie was my first man you know." Having quickly made up my mind to be prepared to take anything and everything in my stride, I remarked that I had not known about the electrocution and asked when it had happened. 'It was in 1931 that Allie was killed and I can tell you there's none better than he was. He was up on a pole and it burned him terrible and he was all black. Didn't you know him?” Assuring her that I did not know her former husband but that he looked like a very nice person, I also observed that the man in the other Picture was very nice looking. instantaneous . The result of this observation was With rather a smug expression on her face, Mrs. T. said, That's Roy. You know him, don't you? Roy is my man now. He's not like Allie, but Jacqueline and Yvonne think he's all right. I tell Yvonne she don't know all that I know, but it don't make much difference. He's been actin' awful moody lately and “ice he's stayed away all night. Well Mrs. ‘13., I think you extremely lucky to have attracted “'0 luch handsome men. Were you born with a golden spoon in your mouth perhaps? By the way, where were you born?” 'I was born right where my father still lives. Don't you 1310' my father‘?‘I At my negative sign, she continued. _"It's just 811 miles north and west of town out by the Geo church. You know 184 where Coe is?’ Again my answer was in the negative. "Well, Coe is only a church and a store but it's where I always lived until I married Allie and then I lived here in town. You know that little house up by the creamery? Allie and his dad built that. I sold it after.Allie died.” ‘After having asked that she tell me about her childhood and young girlhood, she said, ‘Well, I know that I didn't have a lot that my girls have now and my folks had quite a lot too. I guess I had everything I needed though at that, but they never wanted me to like the boys and maybe that's why I was sort of wild. They always said I was spoiled because I was the only one in the family and I had my own way too much. I want my girls to have every- thing they can. I may not be able to help them all the time, but they are just as good as Dr. R's kids even if I do clean for the doctor. I always say that it's no disgrace to work and now that Roy acts so funny, I may have to work steady. When I was little, my mother used to say that if I'd be a good girl she'd buy me a new dress, and now I tell the girls that if they'll be good and do up the house work while I work, that I'll buy them.aomething too, and it sure takes a lot to keep them in clothes for school, and now that I don't have any of the money left its harder. I waited for her to continue, and when she sat musing and failed to go on, I asked whether or not she meant she had lost some money. I mean, that I had a lot of money after Allie was electrocuted and if I had some of it now, I wouldn't have to work cleaning for Dr. Robinson every once in a while to buy the girls and myself some clothes. That's all Roy was after and he treated :me pretty mean I can tell you. Trouble is all I've had since .Allie's been gone, but you probably don't want to hear about all that. I decided that while I was going the long way around to get at the clothing problems, I might gain some valuable 185 information that I might not get in any other way, and nodded that I sould like to have her tell me. It was in 1931 that my first husband was killed. I didn't know Roy 'till after I got the money and that's why he was so crazy to go with me. I know now but I didn't know then. Didn't you ever hear about when Yvonne was born? He played a dirty trick on me and then when he thought I wasn't going to get the money after all, he didn t want to marry me. That was in 1934, so you probably know what I mean. Her whining, nagging voice and the expression on her face told as much as her words, but I was not quite sure of her meaning until, at my questioning look, she said, 'I had to have the officers put him in jail. He took my car and run away and I went to where they caught up with him and he had to do the right thing by me and Yvonne because he'd run away with the car.” 'I hope you have been happy, Mrs. T.',' I said. ”Sometimes marriages that start out badly and up very happily, and now you have two girls to make you happy and a very nice looking husband too.” "That's just the trouble," she retorted. nHe's just too handsome for his own good and he thinksof himself first and us last. Now Allie wasn't that way at all. He always thought of me first and himself afterward, but not Roy.‘ 'In what way do you mean that he thinks of himself first, Mrs. TJ Many men are believed to do that and perhaps it is quite unintentional.” The pale eyes flashed as she said, 186 Unintentional, my eye! Do you think he didn't know it when he stayed away all night in one month twice? He knew it all right and I don't know what I've ever done to deserve such actions. I try to do everything for him and that's all the thanks I get. I think there's something pretty wrong and he says he'll stay away for good, maybe. At this, Mrs. T. sniffed in a childish way and tossed her carrot- 1ike mane of hair, after which she lasped into a pensive sadness and sat looking down upon her hands. Feeling that it was necessary to get the interview back under definate control again, the question was raised as to where the children had been born. 'Yvonne was born in a rooming house in Balding. That's where Roy was in jail and the officer brought him right up to my room to be married.“ I suppose my face showed a question which I could not ask, for she added, "I was having pains when they got there and she was born right after. We stayed there for two weeks and then we come home in the car. Jacqueline was born two years afterward here in town. She's like Allie was.” Asking Mrs. T. what things they enjoyed as a family, Mrs. T. said, I don't know what to tell you we do together only go to a show once in a while. We go to a dance once in while or I should say we used to, but no one ever danced with us much. I don't know why and I don't care much about it now. I just want Roy to straighten himself up. Oh yes, we listen to the radio but not to any special program together. I don't know of any program and turn the thing off a lot of the time. It bothers me always yawin' along. No, we don't read much except Jackie, an' she likes to bring books home from the library at school. Yvonne is more like I am I guess, and don't like to read. We read The Detroit News some though, all of us. We like to ride in the car but since we spent the last of my money on another car, Roy just seems to think that it's his, and I think he wants to 4 '9- 187 go alone with it. I had ten thousand dollars in the beginning and now he's got the last of it in a car and that's all he cares. All I ever got out of it was the clothes I've had and some furniture and he's spent all the rest. Holidays? Yes, they're fine to have together but Roy always sneers a little if I say I'd like to celebrate our wedding anniversary. After all he was as much to blame as I was and I don't see what difference it makes now anyway. we never do any— thing for that though. Sure, we have Christmas and birthdays an' we had a nice enough Christmas this year, only Roy didn't get me much of a present. Just some gloves. He earns some good mmney at the plant too, but he don't give it all to me. He got Jackie a nice present, but Yvonne's wasn't so much, I didn't think. She didn't say anything though. She wanted money for a long dress for the 'Sweetheart Ball' the band gives, but she didn't get it. I'll get it for her though an' she knows it. Jacqueline got a set of sweaters she'd wanted for a long time but Yvonne only got two pair of anklets. In answer to the next question Mrs. T. replied, Yes, I think the new look is real important. Or at least it is to Yvonne and I, but Jackie don't pay much attention. I've always liked to look nice and you can't if you look old fashioned. I wanted to get me a fur coat, but Roy thought he had to have a car and didn't have enough money for both. Of course we are paying on the car, but it took all of the rest of my money for the down payment. Roy likes the new look too, I guess, but Ifim beginning to think he don't care much about me having it or he'd stay home more. If I could sew I'd do a lot more about the new look, but we manage pretty well. 'When I work I spend that money for clothes and Roy never says anything against that. Yes, I like to listen to talks on the radio about style and such, but I can't tell you when I've done it. Not for a good long time so I guess I don't do it much,'but I like to look at Yvonne's Callin all Girls magazine for the clothes in it and sometimes we sang for something for the girls out of it. They're real cheap you know. I got this dress I have on out of one of them last fall. When asked about the wearing of hose and hats, Mrs. T's opinion was voiced without hesitation. I sure do think girls should wear hose, and my girls wear 'em and anklets over them. 'Why Yvonne had silk hose when she was IIF-h|uuhc+doadia 188 eleven. I think it's a mark of whether anyone knows how to dress or not. Oh no, they don't wear 'em to school, but they do for good. I want my girls to have everything they should and everything the others have got. No, they don't buy their own clothes. They wouldn't know how. I always get for them and sometimes Mrs. R. gives me some clothes of her girls for Jackie. Yvonne's too big. 'we get some real good things that way and I don't have to do a thing to 'em for Jackie, and she sure likes to get 'em. She says that way she gets more than Yvonne and she's not in the same grade as Jacqueline R and Yvonne is. Jacqueline R. is dressed too young for her age anyway I think. I don't know much about made over clothes because I don't sew any, but I'd rather have new ones for me any time. My mother never made me wear old clothes and I wouldn't make my girls. It's just that Jackie don't mind wear- ing Jacqueline R's dresses.......No, the girls don't wear each others clothes. Yvonne's too big and she's too big to look good in the same outfits that Jackie looks good in. She thinks she should have a new dress everytime Jackie gets something from B's and I think so too, but Roy don't. He thinks that Jackie should get new things instead of Yvonne, and he thinks Yvonne‘ should always get some color she don't like because she's big. Her hair is like mine and he don't like her like he likes Jackie, and everything she puts on is wrong. I like red on her but he don't. I tell him he's color blind. I like nice bright colors on the girls and he just would pick out dull things for them all the time. He's the same way whether it's for clothes or anything else. Just dull and quiet, but I manage to get around that and fool him. I just use my own judgment and if he don't like it he can lump it. I don't think men know much about such things anyway, do you? 'Do you plan the spending of your money together?” I asked. No, we don't plan much together about our money. He just gets my money away from.me and I think I'm.a fool, but that's the way it's always been as long as we've been married, and now he can stay out nights and I can wish I had my insurance money. I'd give a lot if I could get it all over again. He'll give me some of his check for the girl's clothes if I ask him.for it, but he thinks I can get mine when I work for Mrs. R. And when I stayed‘with the R. children when they went to Florida, I earned quite a lot and helped him get a new suit too, but he doesn't remember all that. He should be getting back soon, and if he don't come soon I'll think he's not coming. Her voice showed concern as well as the expression on her face. 189 'When asked if she picked out the suit for her husband, she said, mercy no: He wouldn't wear it if I did. He likes nice quiet garments he says and I likes something with a little pep to it. I just get clothes for the girls and me. He thinks I spend an awful lot and that's why he wanted the last of the insurance money for the car. He said it's no more than right that I should help. I don't want to lose my hold on him, so I always give in, and you know his brother Red, is just like him. He's always trying to get something that don't belong to him. 'How about college for the girls, Hrs. T. Do you plan they will go?” I asked. College for the girls is just not in the books unless they want to go on their own hook and put themselves through. But I look for Yvonne to be on her own when she gets out of high school. I didn't go to only the eighth grade and I don't see but what I got along all right, but of course they have to go to high school now. But I don't care. I'm.not going to work my fingers to the bone cleaning anybody's house and doing their dirty work or staying with their kids so that anyone can go to college. They can get all they need right in high school. No, I don't believe much in sports for the girls but I'll tell you now I think tennis is all right and a lot of the girls started to learn how to play it in the fall. Yes, I think the shorts look all right but Roy don't. He's the kind that would just as soon look at other girls in them. I don't wear them.myself but I like such things on the girls, and I want them to wear anything the other girls wear. Slacks are okay and I wear them.lots, but Roy don't like them either and he don't like the girls to wear them.to school. The other night Yvonne started out for a game at school and she had her slacks on and he made her come back and put on something else. He kind of picks on her about her size and he says she's too big for slacks even if he liked 'em. I still like 'em though. €About the dances after the games. Do your girls like to go t0 them?” Mrs. ‘1’. answered, Not Jackie, but Yvonne does and she likes to go with a boy too. jHer dad told her she could have a new dress anyway if she would go and come without a boy. I told her she could have a new‘ for 190 one regardless, so she went with a boy. I want her to be popular you know. She and Jackie went to Sunday School last Sunday and she had on her new dress. They go to the Christian Church to Sunday School, but none of us go to church. I guess my folks never went to church, but I know they was good people. Roy's father never seen the inside of a church I bet. He's awful deaf you know and he couldn't hear if he did go. There wasn't any church very near to us when I was a girl, and now I mostly go to funerals and weddings. You know I got talked about once for not wearing a hat to a funeral and it was Allie's funeral. But what difference did it make. He couldn't know and I had my hair fixed for the funeral, but some of the neighbors said I ought to wear a hat in church. When I asked Hrs. T. about ker keeping a record of expenditures clothing she said, What do you mean? .A record of all I spend? I'm.not that crazy. If Roy ever seen it down on paper he'd want the money for spend- ing it on himself I bet. 'Why should I anyway? It's part mine and what I earn is mine even it's not much. I never did tell him what I get as I don't think it's none of his business. If I did, he wouldn't want to give me any money, not even for groceries, and as it is I get enough to buy some things for the girls and I. No, I don't know how to use a budget. It sure costs a lot to keep us all going. But I want the girls to be like the other girls in town; and I like to look nice too, and the girls like to have me look nice. I don't spend so much for Jackie but it takes a lot for Yvonne. I tell her she has more than her mother does, but I don't mind. As she finished the two girls, Jacqueline and Yvonne, came into the romm. .All the mother said in greeting and instruction was, ”Now'girls, I want you to set right down and answer some questions for this lady. Do you want me to help?” I was desperate for an answer that would not offend her, but at the right moment the door opened and a woman of perhaps sixty years of ago said, 'Birdie, ymflre wanted on the phone,” and disappeared as quickly as she had come. Mrs. T. threw a scarf over her head and left with an apology that she would be right straight back. 191 I was determined to make use of the opportunity to be alone with the girls for at least a few minutes, but could not abruptly start in with my questions lest I spoil everything I had hoped to accomplish by visiting with them, They had not uttered one word so far, and to put them at ease I discussed scout activities, and said that I once sponsored a group of Girl Scouts, and had enjoyed it very much. 'Who is your scout leader this year, girls?" This question brought forth an answer from.hoth girls in unison to the effect that it was Mrs. P. who led their group. The ice was broken through my having shown interest in what they were doing, and both girls seemed to be friendly and at ease. Yvonne, the elder, resembled her mother closely and was a blowzy, overweight girl with light blue china eyes and the same bright red carroty hair as her mother's. Her figure had matured at the age of fourteen as much as that of a woman of twenty. Her bright blue sweater had stretched tightly across her breasts showing every curve. Her skirt pulled in under her hips and was that of suggestive invitation, although the girls manner of speaking was that of any normal fourteen year old in so as could be seen. Jacqueline, twelve, was a girl much smaller in size with a sweet, serious looking face, brown eyes and hair. She was dressed in her Girl Scout uniform and looked pretty indeed, with her brown pigtails over her shoulders. 192 To avoid the mother's interference as much as possible, I had decided to interview the girls at the same time, and after having told them.more about the purpose of asking them the questions, began by asking them to tell me what they thought about the sharing of the family inc ome . Both girls looked thoughful and at length Yvonne said, Mrs. King, do you mean you think we should really get some of the money Daddy earns? I don't think he'd give me any of it but he might give some to Jackie. my mother buys things for us but they don't get along about money and my dad isn't here all the time. I wonder why he don't come home and why Mother is taking so long to talk over the telephone? Without answering, Jacqueline broke in, Daddy would too give you some money, Yvonne. You mustn't talk that way. It's just that Mother gives it to'us, instead. You mustn't listen to her Mrs. King because she just thinks that about Daddy, and it isn't really true. Daddy has a lot to think about. He shares his money when he lets us go to the show and pays our Scout dues and gives Yvonne music lessons so she can play in the band. Yvonne's face clouded over as she said, Yes, he shares it all right when it's Mother who takes it out of the bank and gives it to him. You just don't know Jackie. You see, Mrs. King, Jackie doesn't like to think Dad's any- thing but perfect, but if you want my opinion, he certainly don't do much sharing of his income. Mether gives us both things when she works and when we three are here alone, we are fine. But when Dad comes home at night things begin to happen, and oh brother, it isn't always nice. Before I could comment or ask another question, the door tfimned, and Mrs. T. came in. .As I looked at her face, I realized that she had been crying. With a tremulous voice she said, Girls, your father called from Saginaw and said he wouldn't be home until real late, and I just don't know what I'll do about “h- ‘1. 121‘ u- - F 193 it. If he didn't have the car, I'd go right down there. 'Will you excuse me? I think if you don't mind too much I'll see if I can find out who went with him. Mrs. C. will let me use her telephone again and I'll call 'Red'. Maybe he'll know or may- be he's with him. ‘When I get back you girls will have to talk to mac Her voice broke and tears rolled down her face as she turned toward the door again. Jacqueline's face was a picture of despair as she watched her mother leave. Neither girl had spoken while she was in the room, but now it was the younger one who said, 'Poor Daddy.l'l Yvonne burst out with, 'Poor Daddy indeed, Jackie. 'Why don't you say 'Poor Mether'? Now we're in for it again, and if Daddy spends any of the money......' 'Do you feel that any member of the family spends more of the family income than he should?” This question brought about an immediate reaction on the part of Jacqueline, the younger girl. Nether says that Daddy spends all the money he can get hold of, Mrs. King. But I think he had lots of things to pay that he has to have more money, 'cause he told.me at Christmas that it was an awful expense he had to meet and that I mustn't feel bad if I didn't get too much for a present, and I only got what I did 'cause I had been wearing some of Jackie R's clothes instead of having new ones. I didn't mind, though because they're real nice and they fit me and Yvonne has to have the new ones. Yvonne had listened to this speech without interrupting, but now she said, Jackie is real nice about me having new things, but I'd rather be her size and have Jackie R's. They're swell arent' they Jack? Does someone have to spend more than they shoulders. King? I quickly assured her that they did not have to, and she said, “I i “i (e. 5.; ‘.— 194 well, even if they don't have to, my mother and dad both say that the other is the one who spends all the money. Dad says Mother takes every cent he can get together, and she says that he has wasted all of her money. You see she used to have some that she had in the bank, but we don't know much about it. Just what we hear them.talk about. Jackie and I are going to earn our own money next summer, arent we Jack? 'We're going to have a re- freshment stand and sell sandwiches and lemonade at the gulf station out on the side lawn. At this Jacqueline chimed in with, Mother is going to give us some help, and we're going to share our profits aren't we Yvonne? Then we are going to buy our own things for school and no one will have to give us money and maybe Mother and Daddwaon't have to talk about money for our clothes or our books or anything we want. ‘We'll have our own money to spend. 'Do you have an allowance now, Jacqueline?” I asked. She looked at me with these serious brown eyes and said, "No. We just have'what we ask for, don't we Yvonne?" Yvonne looked completely unruffled, as she said, What difference does it make as long as we get the things we have to have? Mother will see that we do. Of course I'll like to have our own.money next summer and I'm going to buy all of my own clothes, but right now I don't care much as long as we can have a little peace in the family. I wonder why it takes MOther so long. And why do you suppose Dad went to Saginaw, Jackie? He was all dressed up when he went down, but I thought it was because Mrs. King was coming, didn't you? Upon being asked about their ideas in regard to their responsibilities at home and their own personal problems, Yvonne and Jacqueline's response was open, frank and readily given. Jacqueline assured.me by answering for both. ‘we don't have much to do, Mrs. King, except to do the house work When Mother goes to Mrs. R's to clean or to stay with the girls if they go out of town. 'we take turns getting the house straightened up and the dishes washed and the beds made, but mother does everything else. we don't have much time and 195 go to school too. Of course, Yvonne has to practise, but I don't so I have to do some extra things sometimes. Maybe next year I can be in the band too. Mr. Uphoff said.maybe I might have a chance if I can get an instrument that he needs and maybe we could rent one. I want a sax like Yvonne's. 'Do you each take care of your own clothes in addition to the house work you do, girls?‘ This brought an immediate response from.Yvonne who said, Mother does all of that. What could we do to some of our clothes that get so they aren't nice under the arms? I think it's simply awful the way some of the girls go around and the boys don't like it either. we sent away for some stuff in one of the magazines, but it didn't come yet. ”The kids at school are all the time talking about their clothes,” said Yvonne. ”Not in the eighth grade, they're not," countered Jacqueline. 'It's just some of the kids, but all the girls like to have new things and we talk about what we want for next year when we're in the ninth grade. But we know a lot of the high school boys, now.” 'WOuld you rather look nice for the boys and girls at school or for your mother and father, Jacqueline?" She looked serious for a moment.and.then'with dancing eyes, said, I guess for the boys. Everyone thinks I'n.the one who don't like the boys, but I think a girl is silly not to like boys. I can't have a date yet, but Yvonne can, and next year I can too, and then I'll have as much fun as Yvonne can. 'We both like to look nice for the kids at school. Yvonne thought for a moment and then added, It's funny now that I think about it, but I guess all the girls are like that. Dad says I'm.boy crazy, but he just doesn't know. Jackie is right though when she says that we like to look nice for the once at school. I felt sorry for one of the girls 1' V 196 today. Shelly B. is her name. She looked just awful and I guess she knew it. All of us had on sweaters and skirts and she had on a silk dress. The day we had our pictures taken in the Freshman Class, she didn't look the same either. I have a problem with my weight, but not with looking like the others. At this, Jacqueline chimed in with, "I tell Yvonne that she looks nice just as she is, but Daddy wants her to get thinner. I think she looks nice, don't you?‘ She said this in a most loyal manner and with a comforting voice and Yvonne threw her a look of gratitude as she said, 'I can always bank on Jackie to stand by me.‘I She looked doubtful for a moment and then said, I'm afraid that Dad is ashamed of me, but nw mother isn't and no one at school ever says anything about me being too big. My dad don't want me to go out with boys either, but Mother thinks it's all right. Do you think I'm too big? Of course I'd like to be like Jackie is. This last was said in a wistful tone and Jackie promptly comforted her by saying, 'Oh, I'll probably be bigger than you are by next year. Anyway, you can reduce. Besides, Dad isn't really ashamed. It's just that he's not good at saying things like that, and he's so good looking that it makes the rest of us not look so nice.” I could see the curl of scorn on Yvonne's lips as she said, Oh, I'm never ashamed of his looks, Jackie, no matter what he thinks of mine, but I don't like him going away like that tonight. If you'll excuse me Mrs. King, I'm going to see what mother's doing. It proved unnecessary for her to go as her mother came before she could leave the house. Mrs. T's eyes were red, but all she said was, 'Girls, I'm going right upstairs. Don't be very long and be sure and lock the door. He won't find it so easy to get in 197 tonight.” Feeling a bit embarrassed and more than a little interested, I offered to leave at once if she so desired, but she shook her head and said that it didn't matter at all. I did not have the audacity to ask when she thought I might be able to have an inter- view“with her husband, so merely thanked her for her courtesy and said that I would not keep the girls much longer. Both Yvonne and Jacqueline looked downcast and serious. .Asked about cosmetics and so forth, in their relation to clothing, Jacqueline made the comment, I guess I'll know'more about those things next year, but I know now that Mrs. P., our Scout leader, says all girls should use deoderants. I think the boys ought to use them too. 'we all call Dean G. 'Stinky' because his sweaters smell awful under the arms all the time, and Mrs. P. says that just taking baths ‘won't do. Mether says girls should learn those things from their mothers and not from other people, but Mrs. P. told us that a long time ago, didn't she Yvonne? Thus appealed to, Yvonne nodded her head and said, SomethnesIMother needs to move faster to tell things. ‘we know them and tell her and then she says we should learn about them at home. All the girls at school that aren't babies use deoderants, and we use other things too. TRazors,’ I questioned. She colored a bit as she said, 'Yes, and other things too." Some intuition told me what she meant and I said, ”Oh yes. I expect you are all trying the junior size internal protection, aren't you?‘. I was right. That was what she nmant and she quickly assured me that she thought Jackie was too young to use such protection, whereupon Jackie said, "Oh well, 198 I tried yours, but you'd better not tell Mother you have them.” Upon further questioning, it developed that several girls had sent in coupons for samples. ”If it stops odors, mother'd better use em, and so had some of the girls at school,” said Yvonne in a low voice. Since Yvonne had been allowed to have dates, I questioned her in regard to choosing her clothing for going on a date, but her only response was, I always wear my best dress and it's my blue corduroy jumper and white blouse, and I wear that because it's the only dress my dad likes. I don't care half as much about the boys as he thinks I do, and I've only been asked to go a few times. I went to the JeHop last fall and I got about cured. I went with Norman and I guess his mother and dad didn't know enough to tell him.how to dress. He just'wore his shirt and trousers and no coat, and all the other boys had on their coats. There was one boy though, that had on a sport shirt and no tie. Norman looked so bare. Jacqueline had only a few words to say regarding this. 'I can't have a date this year, but if I could I'd wear my blue jumper, but it isn't for any reason except that I like it. I want blue eyes like Yvonne's and I like a blue dress better than any other color.” ‘When questioned in regard to their social activities, both girls were eager to answer. Yvonne spoke first. Well, we go to Girl Scout things and we go to most of the things at school. The plays and things like that, I mean. ‘we go to Sunday School most every Sunday and I guess that's about all, isn't it Jack? ”mayou forgot the New'Years party Yvonne, and that was a lot of fun, and you forgot the dance you went to that Daddy didn't want you to.‘I Yvonne's face clouded over at this as she said, 199 I'm sorry about that now, but I wanted to go so bad and I had my dress all ready. It's my pink party dress that I had for the J-Hop. Dad didn't want me to go with a boy and I wish now that I hadn't, for he didn't wear his coat and I looked too fat in that dress. Iris H. looked sharp that night. Do you remember her red taffeta dress? She told me she made it. I wish I could make me something like that, but we can't cause Mother doesn't sew at all. I haven't been to a dance since, and now I don't care if I go or not since it made Dad so unhappy. It just wasn't worth it. By next year I won't be so big I'll bet, and maybe he won't care so much then. It'll be Jackie's turn to have him.care if she goes with a boy. "Oh, when we were talking about the things we like to go to, we forgot to say the movies. I like Deanna Durbin best of all because she's so pretty and can sing so well,” said Jacqueline. I'Lnd I like men actors best of all," countered Yvonne. ”I think John Garfield's the best of all because he's so good looking. I think he looks like Dad and I think he is the best looking man I know. I wish he would come home. You know he's gone so much and Mother says she never can have company because he's never here. She was real glad you were coming tonight and then it got all spoiled.” Asked how they would think they looked as compared with other girls they knew, Jacqueline immediately said, ”we look just fine. Our mother is particular about that. Don't you think we could say ‘we look just fine, Yvonne?” Her appeal to her sister brought forth the comment, I think so Jackie, but of course sometimes some of the girls have something new when we don't. But Mother sees to it that we get the same things the other girls have. Oh sure, we like clothes for gifts, don't we Jackie? ‘Who doesn't? 'we don't get t0<>nmny clothes that way though. ‘We got our Christmas things and sometimes we get things for our birthdays and we always like them. I got American Girl for Christmas too, but we both read 200 Calling all Girls, and now Jackie can read my other magazine. ”It's awfully hard to say what we enjoy most at home, Mrs. King,” said Yvonne. ”I think I enjoy most to have Dad at home and least when he isn't here. How about you Jackie? Isn't that about the way you feel?” The younger girl's face was puzzled at first but finally she said, ”I like it best when there isn't anything to fuss about and.most when we can go someplace with Nether and Daddy both together.” I told the girls goodnight, and asked them to tell their father I would call to see him again. On the third evening following my visit to the T. home, my husband told me something rather strange about this family. He had known that I had called there on the evening described, and so had thought I would be interested. He said that about ten o'clock that morning, a man had driven into our place of business and had asked if he knew a Roy T. At his answer of knowing who he was, the man had asked whether or not he was a divorced man and said that he was engaged to his daughter in Saginaw,‘but that he had become suspicious and was in town to check his story of being divorced. Hr. King referred the man to someone who knew him better than he, and had heard nothing more since that time. Immediately, I connected his call from.Saginaw on the evening ofnw visit with this story and wondered what had happened in the 201 family since the night of my visit when he had failed to be there for the interview. Actually, it made me hesitant to call at the home, but I telephoned and was told by Mrs. T. that I would have to call him at the plant. This was done and Mr. T. said he could see me at four the next day if I would call at the plant, and that he was sorry he had not been able to be at home when I had called. I was not adverse to call upon Mr. T. where he worked and did so, making a very special effort to ask for him at the precise time he had designated. The girl at the desk looked at me in surprise when I asked if it would be possible to see the man in the waiting lounge. ”What's he done now?” she questioned. ”You're the third person in two days who has wanted me to call him to the waiting room.” I assured her that he had done nothing, but that I had an appointment to see him and had understood that he was off duty at that time of day. After waiting a few moments a man came into the room and very courteously said, ”I am Roy T. and I think we could talk here, Mrs. King.” I greeted him and asked if I might explain a bit more fully the purpose of my visit and why .I had persisted in seeing him in order that the interviews would be complete from his family. Mr. T. was dressed in a modern sports jacket and trousers to match. His shirt and tie were in good taste and his light brown hair was conbed carefully and showed a tendency to curl. His clothing did not look the part of a poor laboring man at all. I had learned 202 previously that he was in charge of certain loading and unloading operations and worked well with the men in the yards. He relieved my curiousity as to how he happened to look so well dressed at work by saying, I think you caught me just in time, for I don't think I'll be around here much longer. I've lived in this town off and on most of the time since I was born, but it never got me much but a lot of trouble. You might have thought it funny that I asked you to come here if you wanted to see me, but I'm.leaving town for a few days and I'm going right from.here tonight. In answer to my request that he tell me about his younger days, Mr. T. said, It's this way. my folks always lived here in town but not always where they do now; my father is fine even if he can't hear much but his heart is in pretty bad shape and has been for a long time. He had to quit his job at the sugar factory you know. If my own mother still lived, he would never hear the last of that, but my stepemother helps take care of him. I don't remember much about my own.mother except that she had a high voice and was always scolding at my father. God forbid that a woman should ever have a voice like that, but I married one. You must have found that out. ‘lhy, when I was little, I can't remember one nice thing and I always said that my father should have left home. When she finally got out, he married my step-mother but it was too late to do me much good. Red, that's my brother, got some good out of it though. Red's younger than I am and is still free but not twenty-one. I left home when he was just a little boy, so we never had anything in common. I've always been sorry for my father. He had a dreadful life and..... Do you really want to know facts about my early life? 'Well, my mother was only my stepqmother in the beginning. my real mother died when Red was born. my father thought he had to have a mother for us kids and got mdxed up with the woman he married, and she was nothing but a filthy, coniving female. Why I can remember how my father'd beg her to clean up for the sake of what the neighbors would say, if for nothing else, but I guess she never did, because I can see her yet. She almost always had a red dress on and it was stiff enough to stand alone. I wouldn't allow anyone to wear red if I had my way. my step-mother now is my third mother and she's fine and'will help take care of my father the rest of his life. I'mrglad they can take it a little easier now. I hated 203 it like the very devil always, when I knew I had done something to hurt my father and he never punished me much, but would always talk to me in a nice low quiet voice. He paused and I took the opportunity to ask what else he remembered about his childhood. Well, I remember how my father used to take me to school on a sled in the winter time and how he gave me money to go to the circus and to Sunday School. He never went. I think he was ashamed to go, but he wanted me to. I went to Sunday School until I was out of high school, but I've never gone since. I used to like to go so I could put on the choir robe and sing. Funny thing, those choir robes. Someway, they made me feel all dressed up. Ours were black with white collars and Mrs. Prather always starched the stoles and they looked clean and nice. As I remember it now, that white trim on the choir robe was the only white, clean thing I had and I've always remembered them. I don't go to church now, but if I did, I'd pick one out that had choir robes trimed in white. w father goes to church these last few years and I guess he enjoys it because he's not ashamed to take Alice. That's his wife now. Alice is all right and we're lucky to have her in the family. But she and my wife can't see eye to eye. Alice thinks Birdie ought to do a lot of things she don't do. She thinks she should can, and make bread and sew. Birdie wants to keep on the good side of her, but not enough to do any of those things. I tell Alice to leave her alone. I have enough trouble now, and I don't give a hang whether she does any of 'em or not. If she would train the girls to behave themselves that's what matters. Since I had a guilty conscience in regard to the story told by the man from Saginaw, I knew that I must bevery careful not to ask any question differently than I would have, had I not heard that bit of gossip, so proceeded cautiously, ”Suppose you tell me all that you can about your life after you left home.” After I finished the eleventh grade, I wanted to earn some money to help out with at home, and I wanted to roam around. So I ‘ quit school and went to work in an automobile plant in Detroit. There isn't much to tell. I got some money saved up and helped the folks a little, drank a little, did the usual things a fellow does, and when I got back to this place in a few years 204 after bunning around I sure get paid in full for everything I'd ever done. He paused and waited for me to speak. “Care to tell me about it?” I asked. He looked at me queerly and then said, ”Well, I'd sure like to have someone in this town know that I feel justified in what I'm going to do now. How's my wife strike you, anyway? Like some- one you'd care to live with?” Fortunately, he did not wait for an answer, but went on as though he had not asked the question. I suppose I was to blame and brought the whole thing on myself, but I got mixed up with women, and to be precise, one woman who was a young widow with a reputation. It was pretty easy to let myself drift along and the part she played wasn't a pretty one. I tried to get away from the whole thing, her voice, her damned money that I was tempted with and all, but it didn't work, and here I am still trying to get away. This time I'll make it and 11y only regret is our girl, Jacqueline. I've never heard anything but whines and sniffles and I'm sick of the whole thing. By this time tomorrow, you'll hear that the T's aren't living together if you care to inquire. I've left before, but this time I'm not coming back. I've been a bad actor but I never deserv- ed Birdie. Why, if we ever went to a dance, we never had anyone to pal around with because no one wants to dance with her with her hair all over the place and her mouthy ways....... I'm a heel to be saying things like this I know. I've mostly kept it to myself all these years but things have happened and I think I've a right to a little peace and happiness. I'm a no-good anyway according to Birdie and I've only stayed around because I couldn't get ‘mye ”Are there things that you do enjoy with your family, Mr. T.?” I asked. A frown wrinkled his brow and after thinking for a moment he said, Well, with Jacqueline I do. We can talk and she will listen to me. She thinks I'm worth something and not just after that 205 money her mother harps about all the time. It's all gone now, at least most of it, and she won't have to talk about it much longer. You see her first husband was killed and the city had to pay her insurance over a period of years, and she'll never try to remember that she herself is to blame for getting me mixed up in it in the beginning. This stuff isn't going to be public property, is it? All right then, I don't mind going on. There are a very few things I enjoy except Jacqueline and it's an injustice for me to stay around her the way her mother and I get along. Birdie don't treat the girl right. Everything is the older girl with her and Yvonne is just like her mother. Looks like her, acts like her, talks like Birdie does and everything. I'm not even sure she's mine, she's so much like her mother. According to Birdie, Doc. R's girl's clothes are good enough for Jacqueline, but Yvonne's got to have new ones. Guess she does at that. bhe's way over size, but her mother could dress her a lot better if she would use a little judgement which she hasn't often got. She'd spend money for silk stockings for the girls when they were not more than ten because she don't know any better. Alice says she don't think that young girls wear 'em, but I suppose Yvonne is old enough. Lord knows she's big enough. Too big for some of the rigs she gets on, I know, like shorts and slacks. Jacqueline would look all right in them.- She's younger and not so big, but Birdie al- ways wants the girls to do everything all the other kids do, even if it breaks us and even if they look like the devil. That's Birdie. Dhe's got to keep up with the Jones family. ”You look very nice yourself, Mr. T.,” I said with a smile. ”Do you enjoy having Mrs. T. shop for you, too?” He answered with positive emphasis, Not me! I buy my own clothes and I enjoy that. I'd like to buy for Jacqueline, but don't do much of it 'cause the R's kid's clothes look pretty good on her even if I do gripe about it. I think she looks a lot'better than if her mother bought everything for her. Well anyway, I do like to talk about Jacqueline, and I like to talk with her, but that's about all. 'we just don't agree on.much and I'd rather stay away than quarrel in front of the girls all the time. I learned a long time ago that it was easier to spend my time some other place than at home. I like to read, but Birdie fidgits so that I've given that up. we go to the show once in a while and even there Birdie can't keep still. She's got to whisper. ”Do you ever go on trips together, mr. T.?” 206 Birdie has urged me to go on trips, but we didn't really have the money and I hated to use here. That's all I hear most of the time anyway, that I've always used her money. And I have used some it, but I've always worked too. Birdie never had to work if she didn't want to, but she's squandered a lot of her money to buy things she didn't used. But I never thought that was any of my business and never said much about it. She's howling now over a fur cost which wouldn't look good on her anyway, and she says that I used her money for a car that I don't want her to ride in. She won't need to worry as I've cancelled the deal on the car, and I can take care of myself. 1"Perhaps if you planned the way the family income is to be spent together, it would make everyone happy. Or is that the way you do?” I asked. Mr. T. looked at me in surprise and then said, Why, the good Lord Himself couldn't plan anything with her. She would end up by taking what she wanted and then say that I had spent what was hers. She'd never let anyone but herself spend money for anything if she could help it. She wants what she wants when she wants it, not only for herself but for all-3f'us. I want the girls to learn to do for themselves, but they never will with her around. She won't let them even pick out a hair ribbon.for themselves. Lord knows she spends enough for them, especially Yvonne, but it never looks right on her. Now I think she's too big to have a lot of frills and gathered things and they make her look ridiculous, but what I think is never right, so I just let her go it and keep still. She will soon find out that she'll change her tune with me gone. She'll never get the things paid for that she charges and I don't care much except for Jacqueline, and I'm going to do things for her. She never charges coats or dresses for Jacqueline, but Yvonne can have anything her fancy happens to light on. I promised Yvonne some- thing new to wear if she'd lose fifteen pounds, but I'm safe for she'll never do it. No, I've never used clothes to bribe the girls with, but Birdie has when she wants them.to do the house work for her while she's at R's working. She don't have to work there. When asked about college ambitions for the girls, Mr. T. said, I'ts something I've never thought much about. No one in either of our families ever went to college. Yvonne is like her mother and at the rate her mother encourages her, she'll be married before she gets out of high school. I don't know. I never thought of it. I'd kind of like to think that Jacqueline could 207 go. She's not like either of us, thank God: ‘Well, maybe I should think of it. Her mother never will except that she'd like to be able to tell everyone that her daughters went to college. Just the other day she was telling me that I was trying to act like a college boy. It was because I had a new shirt that she didn't like because she couldn't tell me what to pick out. ”Do you always like to choose your own clothes, then, Mr. T?” I sure do. I've always done it. I think clothes are a pretty personal matter, don't you? I know better than anyone else what I want and what I look best in. For instance, I hate red ties or red figures in shirts or sox, and I'd be a chump to let anyone also pick 'em out for me. ”Just how important do you think clothes are in your work, Mr. T? Do you find that it is necessary to give the matter much thought?” I asked. I think clothes are important in any work, Hrs. King. I've always thought it was for my own good to look as well dressed as I could. Of course I don't look like this all the time. I'm going away tonight. I usually wear pretty good clothes on the job though because I don't get much dirty work to do except when we are unloading once in a while. I figure it this way, that the only way to get a better job is to show that you care enough about yourself to look like something. You may not get the job but it can't hurt your chances. ”Do many of the men feel as you do, I wonder?” Oh sure, I think lots of men do. Trouble is,it takes so much to keep families going that the men lose out and have to make their clothes last. At our house, I've learned that I could go without entirely but I won't. ‘Why should men be the goats? How long do I plan to wear a suit? I'd say on an average of four years and even'then I could wear them four more and.my wife would never want mm to get a new one. She's so afraid that I might look better than she does. Why you know, she once tried to get me to wear her first husband's suit of clothes. The poor devil, I've always pitied him. I didn't wear his suit anyway. I like mine of my own picking and new. No, no one special color as long as they're not red. New, Ere. King, it's getting time for me to go if I'n.to make it on time, but I sure have enjoyed talking to you. Could I get any of the other fellowm in for you? I told the-.1 had a date and they said they'd be glad to accommodate you by answering questions if they could get out of work for an hour. '1 CASE STUDY 5 INDUSTRY THE N--eFLMILY CHNSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE THIRTY-EIGHT THE MOTHER, AGE FORTY-FIVE JANET, AGE FOUYTEEN MnRY, AGE FOUR As permission had been asked of Janet N. in regard to an inter- view in order to test her teen-age reaction to certain questions, I called at the N. home and was happy to find Janet, a girl of fourteen years of age, waiting for me. Time was a precious factor that day and the questions were begun at once. ”Tell me Janet, what are your views in regard to the sharing of the family income by members of your family group?" Well, I never thought of being a member of a family group before, but I guess I am, aren't I? I don't know what our income is all about. You'd have to ask Daddy about that. I don't think Mother knows either. I have an allowance, but it isn't much, only a dollar a week, and what can you get with that? If I want to save it for a year, I could get a coat, maybe, so I don't bother. Any- way, I think my father can buy my clothes for me. I epose' I spend more than I should, because everyone hollers at me about it all the time, and I think I'll quit school and get a job, but my mother says that would be a dumb thing to do and besides I'm not old enough, am I? I guess I spend too much for hose because I charged some at Young's and I'm.still in the dog house. My father said if he ever caught me doing that again he'd skin me. I have to have hose when I wear my black shoes and all of the girls were wearing them when we had our ninth grade pictures taken last week. When my mother lets me pick out my clothes, I like her to tell me what she thinks, because after all, she is my mother and ought to know what is best. If she doesn't like what I like, then I like Emtty to tell me, because she is my only real friend. The other girls are catty and only say that something looks nice when they 209 know it looks like heck. No, I don't think I have a big enough share of money for my clothes, but I guess it's because my father has to pay so much to the bank all the time, because of our house. Even caroenters can't build a new house without money, he says. I have more clothes than mary, and I guess I have more than my mother, but golly, a girl needs a lot of clothes. ”Janet, do you have some pretty definite ideas in regard to personal problems, responsibilities and home life in general? ‘Will you tell me some of them? I certainly have some ideas about all of that, but I don't know if I should get started on it. my mother says I'm saucy and.my father says I'm lazy, but my grandmother likes me as much as she does Mary. I think I should keep my room clean, but I can't see why I should clean it more than on Saturday, but everyone is against me, even Grandma on that. I think I should baby sit with mary when my folks want to go out, but can I help it if they can't go out much because of the money? I don't like to wash dishes but I help with them or do them alone and I think I should help keep the yard clean. I think the whole family should do that, but they just say,'Janet, the branches will have to be cleaned out of the yard.' Do I ever get paid for working at home? Are you kiddin'? Didn't you say something about personal problems? I sure have 'em, my grandmother says girls in Chicago have 'em too, but I'd rather have 'em in Chicago at my grrndmother's than in St. Louis. I can't even look at a boy and anyway, if my face doesn't stop getting blackheads, no one will want to look at me. Everyone yells at me about eating too much candy, but half the time my mother isn't even here. I have lots of problems. For one thing I can't go to the show on Sunday, and it burns me up. 'We just sit and sit and sit because...... At this point the mother entered the room.and Janet let her voice trail off into nothing. After the mother left the room again, I Pushed on with other questions. I guess I'm more influenced by what my friends think of the way I look, but I think it should be a girl's mother who knows how She should look. I think I like to be dressed near enough like 210 the other girls so that no one can say in their old catty voices, 'Oh, look at Janet's dress.’ It's been done. Yes, it could be meant as a compliment, but it wasn't, because it was a great big black and yellow plaid and I hate it. It looks just like a negro and I'm dark anyway, you know. Besides, there isn't a girl in the whole school with a big plaid like that. my parents do not understand me, period. But I guess they can't very well, they are so much older. When I have a daughter, it won't be this way. Will I give her everything she wants? Sure, if I can, why not? I try not to be jealous of my friends clothes, but I want to have so many things that it's hard not to be, and some of the girls get to have all the dates and everything. The boys like a girl to look keen. Of course, I've only had three dates and my mother simply ties herself up in bow knots if I even mention a boys name, so I'm only going to tell Betty and my grandmother after this when I like a boy. I'm never embarrassed about the way mary looks and my father is always too busy to be bothered dressing up much, but I would like my mother to look like Betty's mother when she goes to the Girl Scout Tea. Oh, Betty fixes her mother all up and she looks like a million with her veil and her earrings. She has an engagement ring too, and my mother just wears a plain gold band for jewlery. I wish I could have a ring for Christmas. A lot of good it would do me to go to my father if my mother said 'No', when I wanted something now. He would say that whatever my mother had said was best. I know because I've tried it. Anyway my mother keeps the money. My opinion in regard to cosmetics is that every girl has a perfect right to use them no matter what her mother thinks. my mother doesn't even use powder on her nose and I think it is simply awful. She thinks it's a waste of money to use anything for odors under the arms and that if I wash myself, I'll be all right. I use Betty's though, and she likes Arrid best. I don't know any- thing about depilitories at all, and I guess I'm never going to get much hair under arms. Miss. P. says at school that all girls should remove hair if it's unsightly, but I didn't tell my mother she said that. I like my blue dress best, because it is the one my grandmother 'brought me from Chicago and it's keen. mether wanted to take the silver buttons off, but we would have to buy new ones. .Anyway, 211 it would simply spoil it without the silver ones, and Grandma would be furious if they were taken off. ”How would you classify yourself in appearance in comparison with your friends, Janet?” I asked. ‘Well, I'd hate to tell you what I think about myself. What do you think about me? maybe it isn't fair to ask you that when you want me to answer the questions. I sure don't look like a lot of the girls that I'd like to look like and I guess I don't look as bad as some of them. I'd put myself in the very, very medium, but not at all in the keen class, except when I wear my blue outfit and then I'm pretty satisfied. Of course, I'm thankful for my curly hair, because Mother would never let me have an end curl and this way she can't help it. I don't sew yet, but Miss P. will teach me next semester, and if my mother will let me have some material that I like, maybe I can have some things I have been wanting. I never thought much about sewing, but it must be all right. Most of my clothes, except the ones my grandmother gives me, are made over and maybe when I learn to sew I can make them to be like I like them. I tried leaving them in the closet until I outgrew them, but it didn't works I simply love to get clothes for my birthday and for Christmas, even if I don't like them. At least they are new and in style. my blue dress is nice and long. ”Will you tell me about the social activities of your age group at school, church, and the community in general?” I don't do too many things, but I'm going to the Christmas dance at school if I can manage it. Don't you think a girl should be allowed to dance at school? Oh, of course, I don't believe in public dances. I could go to church more, but they don't have parties at our church. I'll bet you wouldn't go to our church. I go because my mother makes me, and it doesn't make any difference how I dress. I don't wear my blue dress to church. I save that for when I go to a school party with Betty and I wore it to a birthday party the other night. The person I admire most at school is Mrs. C., because she is so understanding. I admire her in the community too, even if she is a Catholic. I don't see that it makes any difference. I admire you, too, and I simply adore Kathleen's clothes. I'll bet you don't nag her all the time, do you? 212 I like all the movie stars I have ever seen, because they look so beautiful. I guess it's partly because I can't go to the show only once in a great while and because I like to see what they wear. If I learn to sew, I'm going to try to make something like a jumper that I saw in the movie one day last summer. I like True Confessions for a magagine, because it tells me things I want to know about girls and boys, but I can't buy them or have them at home, so I read Betty's. I don't take part in any social life at home, because we don't have any, unless my grandmother comes and then it isn't the kind that is fun. It is just visiting. I enjoy just being my myself in my room writing in my diary most of all. Least of all? I guess being preached at about my room and having my Bible verses. Since Janet had been interviewed previously, and her mother had known about it, I found it comparatively easy to call at the new N. heme and explain that since Janet had been so kind, that I was greatly interested in interviewing Mr. and Mr. N. and little Mary, too. For a brief moment I was sure that Mrs. N. might refuse and then she smiled a bit as she said, "Why, of course, come right in." It was just seven o'clock in the evening and I explained that I would be happy to call at any other time when she might find it more convenient. She stood there in very plain attire, with her hair combed severely back, and suddenly acted eager to have me enter. I stepped in carefully, wiping my feet on the neatly folded rag rug just inside the door. I mentally thanked heaven that I had seen the foot cleaner in time to use it, and observed, as I had done before, that the house was new, most unpretentious, and very small. The davenport was a day bed covered with a plain grayish material which was most unattractive. The floor was bare, except for some rag 213 rugs of a neutral color. The windows were covered with shades, but were without curtains. In one window stood a green pottery vase filled with what appeared to be something resembling flowars, but which, upon closer examination, proved to be crocheted CLrnations in red and white. The small flowers were fastened to wire stems. The room was very neat and clean, but lacked comfortable chairs, beauty and cheer. There was a heavy table in front of the window with the flowers, and on the table a pile of Sunday School papers stacked inneat array. The room was pleasantly warm, and an odor of baking came forth from.the htchen, where my hostess must have been working. nI'm afraid I have interrupted your work,” I remarked ruefully. "Couldn't we talk while you go on with whatever you were doing?" I'Oh, I'd rather sit here and talk while Janet is gone if you don't mind. She is down at Betty's and will be back soon." Since Mrs. N. seemed actually to prefer that I remain for the interview at that time, I accepted the chair which was offered and asked whether or not it was possible for me to see her husband too, since I would like very much to talk to him.as well as little Mary, if she had no objection. ”Or,” I added, "perhaps it is Mary's bedtime." I had not seen the little girl since my arrival. "You could go in and see Mary now, if you like, and I'll go call Reuben. He's in the basement working on window sashes.” Mrs. N. motioned me to a bedroom justoff the living room where apparently the parents slept and kept four year old Mary in a small bed beside them. There was Mary looking very solemn and serious but 214 not at all alarmed at having a visitor. In fact the child was visibly brightened at my cheerful, "Hello Mary. May I sit in here with you for a little while?” ”Can she?" The child was appealing to her mother now and her face looked a bit anxious while she waited for the answer, which was a brief, "If you're good, now.‘ 'With special emphasis uuon the now, she left the room without a goodnight kiss. "How cozy you look Mary. Are you sleepy? If you aren't, perhaps I could tell you a story.‘ 'But I'm a bad girl. I spilled the ink and I was put to bed. Could I have the story when I'm bad?” Assuring Mary that I was quite sure her mamma wouldn't mind if I told her a story, I began......... "And, you see," I continued, “the little fairy had a most beautiful white dress to wear. 'Would you like a white dress?" Shyly, the little girl looked up and nodded, and then her blue eyes filled with tears and the rosy lips quivered. "But I'm bad. I spilled the ink.‘ 1'Never mind, Mary, the beautiful fairy was naughty, too, sometimes, and I'm.sure you will never seill the ink again. Was it such a very bad spill?" ’0n.my mamma's big book,” she answered and again her eyes filled with teams. 9Did the fairy have to go to bed when she spilled the ink?” I'nlsure she did, but she was so beautiful in her lovely dress that it was hard not to love her, even when she was naughty. So you havtaa.white dress, Mary? You don't? well, suppose you tell me about the dress that you like best of all. 215 "I like my pink dress best, 'cause it's pink and I have black shoes, too.” ”Are your socks pink to go with your dress, Mary?" Janie says socks like you did, but my mamna says stockinrs. 15! stockings are black. If I had something new to wear, I'd like to have it pink, because my grandma says it's like my cheeks. Her che-ks were indeed rosy and she was beginning to look sleepy. my mamma don't buy me clothes from the store, but my gr-ndma does sometimes, but my mamma gets my clothes from someplace. My brown dress she got out of a bag. I sensed that the little girl might mean a sack of some sort where her mother might keep things to be made over, and said, "Did she make the dress look different for you when she took it from the sack?” ”No, it was a 'misch' dress. Tell me more about the fairy. Did she have a pink dress, too?" What on earth could a 'misch' dress be, I wondered? ”Well, I'll tell you more about the fairy, if you will tell me about your 'misch' dress. Suppose you tell me first?" "my 'misch' dress is just my 'misch' dress. I like my pink dress, but my 'misch' dress is brown. My mamma says it's too good to give to the misch.’ At this point, a great light burst upon me. Perhaps Mary meant missionary. I asked her if Janie had a 'misch' dress too. ”Janie cried and said..." and Mary's voice became uncertain and suddenly she said, "Now, it's your turn.” 216 In my interest in what I was doing, I had almost forgotten my promise to tell her more of the fairy. "You see,” I began, ”the fairy loved to wear her sister's clothes and one day........' After having satisfied the child's desire for more about the fairy, I asked, "Do you like to wear anyone's clothes?" 'I'd like to wear Janie's, but she won't let me, so I just wear namma's apron and my papa's hat. Then I go to wherever my grandma is.” ”my mamma makes night dresses for me, see?" Mary lifted her arms which were all encased in white outing flannel, ”and sometimes she makes my dress and my apron, see?” She had pointed to a nearby chair where reposed her garments taken off when she had been put to bed. Although I longed to give them.a much closer inspection than I was able to, my fear of the mother coming into the room prevented more intense glances in that direction. It was enough however, to confirm my suspicions that Mary's dresses were not too child-like in appearance. The dress seemed to be of heavy dark material such as I remember my grandmother wearing in the winter time. I'I like my nightie to feel just like this," said the little girl as she wiggled contentedly in the warm flannel. "Would you like a blue nightie, too, Mary?” I asked. ”I'd like a pink nightie,‘l was the only answer, and then, "Where is the fairy now?" ‘After having satisfied her in regard to the fairy's wuereabouts at that moment, I questioned her about her mother's dress, and asked if she got a new one for Christmas. 217 ”I guess so," she answered slowly. "Did you like your mama's new dress?" I asked. "Not much, I didn't.” "But Mary, can you tell me why? I think the fairy almost always liked her mamma's new dresses.” Unwittingly, I had gotten myself into improvising more about the fairy, which I pronutly did. When mary was satisfied, I asked my question again, and she answered, ”Cause I don't, is all. It's bad black like ny'stockings, and I don't like it.” my dolly had a new dress when I got her and it was pink and I loved her, and she's all mine and not Janie's. My dolly don't have any coat at all, but my grandma will make her one, sometime, maybe. I like my dolly best , but I like my ball too, and I bought it all myself when Janie took me to the store one day. my ball is red and I like it and I had my pennies in my...... I knew she meant her pocket or her hand but her voice trailed off into nothingness and little Mary was in dreamland. I drew the covers about her shoulders and left as quietly as I could, closing the door behind me. Again entering the living room, I settled into a chair and waited for Hr. and Mrs. N. to come in. While I waited, I discovered that the room was lighted from a ceiling light overhead and a table lamp which was shaded by a paper shade decorated with a geometric design in red on the yellowish parchment. As Mr. and Mrs. N. came into the room, I greeted him and told him that my half-way mark had been reached in the interview and carefully explained why I was there and said that I would like to talk 218 to both of them together and then separately, if they could snare the time and were willing. Indicating his readiness, Mr. N. settled back in a plain leather rocking chair w ile his wife sat primly on a straight backed chair. Before I could open the conversation, Mrs. N. burst forth with, "Mrs. King, what did you and Janet talk about the other day? What did she tell you? we have such a time pleasing her. All she wants is to go some place and she thinks she never has anything.” ‘Assuring the mother that Janet and I had only had a very nice visit, and that she had, I was sure, not told me anything that she could not know about, I smiled and got ready to begin the interview. 'WOn't you both tell me about your younger days, where you lived as children, about your brothe s and sisters, and so forth? Suppose you be first, Mr. N.” I was born in Chicago, and when I was a baby my father and mother moved to a farm in Michigan. I don't remember of course when we moved as I was too young. "In what part of Michigan were you living when you were a boy, Mr. N.?' ‘Without giving her husband a chance to answer, Mrs. N. said, ”He lived down in that Porter City place, way out there in the sand.” ”Do you mean the Porter oil field in Midland county, Mr. N.?” "That's it,” answered his wife again not giving him a chance. ”Were you and Mrs. N. children together in the same community then, Md. N.?” "we knew each other in high school at Wheeler,” he said then. I was beginning to doubt the widom of continuing the double 219 conference, but tried once again with, "Mr. N., won't you tell me about your boyhood home? 'Was it a large farm, and did you have brothers and sisters?" This time Mr. N. made a determined effort to speak. "Well, you see, it was not such a large farm, but...“ With this Mrs. N. broke in and said it was a very small farm and that it was only a sand hole. I knew that it was useless to try to hush her unless I were willing to offend, which I most certainly hal the urge to do, so I tried asking her a question, thinking I might let her do her talking first and get it out of her system. "Suppose you tell me about your family, Mrs. N. Where did you live when you were a girl?” "Well, there's nothing much to tell about my family, but I could think of “lenty about Reuben's.“ Since Reuben was her husband's name, and.since I could tell from the tone of her voice that he would probably not relish whatever it was that she might say, I forestalled her quickly by saying, "Well, suppose you both tell me some of the things that you do together as a family.“ As I said this, I looked directly at Mr. N., who answered, well sir, I don't know. Seems like I'm so busy all the time, we don't do much. I'm still working on the house and it's pretty slow doing it evenings and working on other houses in the daytime. I make sashes to order too. It was the most he had been allow d to say since we had started to talk and it was spoiled for him by his wife remarking, "I think Reuben could take time to go to church when taking time for other things. Especially when that's all we do, except Janet." 220 "Are you so busy then, Mr. N.? It's a fine thing to be busy when it costs us all so much to live.” Mrs. N. again answered for him by saying, "We have to get the house paid for, but I still think Reuben could go to church.” By this time I was sure that it was not wise to go on with husband and wife together, but did not know how to get out of it since I had asked them to be tOgether. Now Mr. N. was looking very un- comfortable and I felt sure that if I did not rescue it, the whole interview was to be a complete failure. I had worked too hard with Janet and little Mary to let a garrulous woman spoil it for me now, so thinking quickly, sugrested that after all, if they wouldn't mind, I believed I could save time for all of us by going into the individual interviews. Mrs. N. looked a bit wryly at her husband, but arose saying she'd rather that he be the first one then, so she could finish her cookies. Inwardly, I sighed with relief when she left the rOJm and carefully closed the door behind her. As she left the room, her husband visibly relaxed in his chair. He said nothing but waited for me to speak. may I ask you again about your boyhood days, Mr. N.? I'm afraid I didn't get quite all the information I need. Let's see, you were born in Chicago, and came to Michigan as a baby to a farm in Porter Township, Midland County. Is that right? I then put him.more at ease by tellinr him that I was quite familiar with that country since I had spent my first fifteen years on a:fium1in Midland County and that I knew Porter Township. I also 221 told him.how I had once, as a small girl, trudged six miles through the hot sands of Porter to take a bouquet of wilted flowers to a sick schoolmate who was reported dying of Yellow Jaundice. "How my mother ever allowed me to walk that distance on a blistering August day is something I'll never understand. I WLS barefooted, too," I alded. All of this was true, and as I talked, Mr. N. completely lost his shyness. There was no sound for a moment except the faint click- ing of a spoon against a bowl and then he spoke. I lived on the farm, as I said, until I was about fifteen and more. You said you were fifteen didn't you? I wish I could go back and visit, but it's not much use. Martha, my wife, doesn't like it much and isn't very keen on going. It isn't a very happy memory anyway. My father died in an oil well accident on that farm and the pitiful part was that he died without knowing that things were going to be easier for him if he'd lived. He had leased the land to the oil Company, except an acre or so where his house stood. ”If it doesn't hurt too much, can you tell me about it?n I asked. "I am very interested.‘ At that he thought for a moment before continuing, 'Well you see, it was in the sand, and in the pine stumps of Porter, and Dad couldn't raise much, but he and Mother and I stuck it out in the hopes of striking oil. Lots of others had. Dad kept us going by working for the oil peeple and raisins some potatoes and a little corn. 'we had a cow and some chickens and Mother and I had a little garden. ”How did your father ever happen to buy that farm?" I asked. “Was it in the hopes of oil?“ The forty had belonged to my grandfather and I think my folks thought it was somewhere to hang their hats when they left Chicago. It was my father's folks that owned the farm. My mother's folks died.when she was young. my grandparents lived in Chicago until about 1911, when I was a baby. It wasn't an oil field than, and my grandfather owned it because he won it on a poker deal. That's what Nartha meant when she said she could tell you things about 222 my family. I guess my grandfather was a great old fellow. I never knew him, but my mother talks about him, and my father worshipped him. ”Now can you tell me about your father's accident?" I deliberate- ly probed into the old hurt. ”He was killed when the well came in on his own land. The well went wild and he was struck with a pipe.‘ Since I could see that it hurt to talk about it, I expressed sympathy and then asked about what his mother had done after that. Mother went back to Chicago after a while because she could afford to, and I was going to be married. my mother is a pretty fine woman. She visits us once in a while, but not often. Mother and Janet are great pals, and I'm glad, because Janet needs some one like my mother. ‘Would you like to know more about my life on the farm? He candidly changed the subject and I felt it wise to follow his lead and it was important to know more of his younger life. I'Where shall I start?" he asked. "Well, you were a baby when you came to Michigan. Had you no brothers and sisters?” '1 had a sister that would oe a year younger than me if she had lived, but she died when she was a baby." Quickly taking advantage of the opportunity to get his exact age, I said, I'Then she would be about thirty-six, wouldn't she?" ”Thirty-seven,” came the answer and then, much to my surprise he added, "You know, I'd make myself older if I could.” "But why, when everyone wants to be younger?” "Well, to honestly tell it, Martha is older than I am. She's forty-five and I'm.thirty-eight and it just isn't best, I guess.n 223 Assuring him that a difference of seven years in marriage was not serious, I waited for his reply. Just serious enough that Janet isn't a very haipy girl and I don't know what to do about it. You see, her mother works on the idea that because she is the oldest she must know best or some such idea. At any rate, it never does me much good to say anything. She thinks she knows best about fun and clothes to wear, books and school doings, and lots of other things. She and Janet are always in hot water and it won't be too long that we'll have Janet.at home. Already she would like to go to Chicago and be with my mother, and Mother would like to have her. She isn't rich, but she's mighty comfortable. ”You haven't told me about your school days," I suggested. 'You said you were in school at Wheeler. Is that where you met Mrs. N.?” Mr. Oh, Martha and I met at the camp meeting out at the 'Saint's Camp Ground,' the one north of St. Louis. Some of us fellows had gone up there to see what it was like and before we got through with it, we all had a girl, and Martha was mine. 'we went tOgether off and on for a while and then we got married. ”were you married at the Camp Ground Tabernackle?" No, in the church across the river, here in St. Louis. Martha is a real church member and thinks we should all like it as much as she does. It makes her cross with me because I work on Sunday and on her Prayer Meeting night and she thinks that the children should go to Prayer Meeting with her. I say that Mary should be in bed and that Janet should do as she pleases about Prayer Meetings. I never want when I was a child, and I don't go now. I hate seeing Janet being made to go to something that I won't go to. ”It isn't always your work then that keeps you from.going?” N. looked a bit embarrassed at this comment and finally said, I just can't see any sense in a Prayer Meeting. If I cry, I don't'want to do it in public. Mother is a Methodist, but she says'she will try anything once, so she has gone when Martha asks her, when she is visiting here. They get along pretty much 224 all right, I guess, except Martha doesn't like it too much when Mother buys things for the girls to wear. She thinks it will spoil them for ordinary living, but I think it gives Mother and the kids both some pleasure, so why not let her? ”Mr. N., you have told me that your mother is a Methodist. When you were a little boy, did you go to church and Sunday School?” Oh, sure, but there wasn't a Methodist church around Porter, so we went to the U.B. church and I went to Sunday School, but even then I diin't like the Prayer Meeting part. "Just for fun, tell me how you dressed to go to church when you were a boy, will you?" I asked. Mr. N. thought for a moment and then said, It's a funny thing, but I don't know anything about how I was dressed to go to church. All that I'm sure of is that I was always scrubbed good and proper to get the Porter sand out of my ears, as Mother put it. Hold on though, I do remember one thing I always wore to church and it was a very special handkerchief for Sunday and Mother pinned it in my pocket so I couldn't lose it. I never used it for anything else but Sunday. I remember too about my coats. I had a blue coat and a brown one, but the pants didn't match. Funny how I can think of that now that we are talking about it, isn't it? ”Did you mind their not matching, I wonder?" ”I don't know," he answered, "but I do know that I minded when my mother cried because I couldn't have a new suit to :raduate in and my dad and I got busy and earned me one. ”How do Janet and Mary dress to go to church, in their very best?n I asked. I'm sure I don't know, except I heard Janet say that she wasn't going to wear the dress that Mother gave her to go to church in. She likes that dress, and I'm.sfraid she doesn't like church too ‘much, and I suppose I'm not a very good example for her. Martha says I'm not, anyway. 225 "Do you remember who said Grace at the table when you were a boy, Mr. N.?' Oh yes, we all did, Dad and Mother and I. It was one of the things I always will remember about my father and mother. How they could find something to thank God for. That's one of the things that I do now that redeems me in Martha's eyes. You see, I think the children should be taught properly, but shouldn't be forced on them. Martha believes in forcinfi, and it just won't work. I think maybe if Martha would spend some of the time getting hep to herself that she does on church affairs, that things might be easier, but I don't know. Martha is a good woman. I'Will Janet go to college, do you think?" When I Lsked this question, I was thinking of what Janet had said about wanting to quit school and buy herself some clothes, and was very curious as to what his answer might be. I would like her to, but Janet will never stay at home long enough to go to college. If I can get her through high school, I'll be lucky. I say that because if Janet and her mother don't get to- gether on a few things pretty soon, Janet will get that job she talks about. You see Martha only went to the eighth grade and she doesn't think it so important to go on to school. If I'd had any sense, I'd have gone to college instead of getting married. Of course, I wouldn't take the world for the girls. ”You must have been a football player when you were in high school,” I commented. ”Does Janet take part in any sports program? I understand that there is a pretty good Physical Education teacher this year." I'm afraid there won't be much doing alone that line for Janet if she stays in school. Martha don't think much of such things and she thinks that Janet might better be home. Come to think of it though, I did hear Janet say that she was icing to learn to play tennis in the spring. She doesn't have a rack and I'm pretty sure she can't have one unless she gets busy and earns it. She has gotten a little lazy, I tell her, and I'd like to have her want to earn a little without wanting to quit school. She has threatened her mother with leaving home, too, but I think it's only child's talk. 226 'Tell me, Mr. N., how you feel about the way teen age girls are dressing these days." I guess I don't know too much about it except what I hear Martha and Janet talk, and from that, I know that my girl thinks she dan't have what the other girls have. They all look alike to me and I don't know what the other girls have. But I think that if a girl is never a fashion plate, it don't matter if she's nice. I don't know though, I want her to be happy while she is young, and I'm sure'what is the matter with her. It was obvious to me that Janet's father did not really know what was troubling his daughter but that he was disturbed in his mind. I'Perhaps I have an idea about that," I said. uIf Janet and Mary were nearer the same age, that Janet might not be so restless.” It was a venture in the dark and brought about the surprising reply, ”They would be if I'd had anything to say about it, but Martha is a very conscientious person and...." Mr. N.'s face changed color and with a sudden change of tOpic, said, ”Say, I'm interested in that donkey basketball game that is to be at the high school. That's something I'd like to go and see. Think I will, too.” ”Will all of you go, Mr. N.?‘1 Again his face changed and he said that he supposed none of them would go. When I questioned as to the reason for not going when he was so interested in the game, his only answer was that he supposed that it was one of the things he could get along without and that it was sometimes easier to stay at home than it was to go. It was getting toward nine o'clock and I knew that I must talk to Mrs. N. soon as the the faint sounds from.the kitchen had long 227 since ceased to penetrate my hearing. Whether it was because I had been so interested in our converSution or because there actually were no sounds, I could not be sure. It was with a distinct shock that I learned that both reasons were most probably true, for at that moment both Mr. N. and I were startled by angry voices as the front door was opened. Mrs. N. and Janet came into the room looking angry and upset. Both stopped talking and with a muttered excuse as she passed through, Mrs. N. motioned Janet ahead of her and out of the room. Mr. N. started to speak as they walked by but caught himself in the act and was silent. I nodded to Janet as my eyes caught her stormy one's for a brief instant. To ease Mr. N.'e evident embarrassment, I brought it out into the open by saying, "Is that the sort of thing that Janet is unhappy about?" Her mother don't like her to be with Betty T. and even when she knows that's where she is for a little while, she goes after Janet and then they have it. I'm sorry it had to be while you were here though. Betty's all right as far as I know. She's just like all girls. Likes the boys, likes to put stuff on her lips and all that. Janet is crazy about her and quotes her all the time. ' ”Mr. N., do you mind telling me about how you plan the spending of your income? Do you and your wife plan it together or just how do you manage it?” The most of our money goes into payments for the house, it seems to me, Mrs. King, but of course we have to save out enough for food and that cost's a lot. Martha is a careful planner about the meals, though. I give her thirty dollars a week for groceries and to buy what clothes she can. I pay all the other bills. Any- thing she can save out of the thirty, she gives to her church, 228 and I think sometimes that the church comes out better than we do. ”And just how does Mrs. N. feel about it?" I'm not sure except that I know she saves all she can of what I give her,for her minister told me 'Thank you' the other day for my fine contribution, so Martha must have saved it. If she didn't give to the church, I'm afraid that they wouldn't get much from us for I'd save the money so Janet could at least go to business school if she wanted to. I got back on the subject of clothing by saying, Well, perhaps if Janet learns to saw at school, as she told me she would like to, it will help out on financial problems. With a family of four, there are bound to be problems, at least for most of us these days. I'm very interested in your opinion about the clothing problems. Mr. N. sighed and shook his head. "Our clothing problems are all solved by Martha, I'm afraid. I don't know much about them as I leave all that up to her.” ”But you must have to have some clothing that is especially warm if you do outside carpentering this weather, don't you? Does your wife take care of that, too?” Not on your life, she don't. I get everything I need, which isn't so much, and my wife has nothing to do with it. She would be dressing me out of the barrel if I'd let her. Martha keeps a barrel in the basement, and she collects clothes to send to the church mission. It was a flat, unadorned statement, but it solved the problem for me in regard to little Mary's Fmisch' dress that she had prattled about earlier in the evening. Quickly deciding to get further infamation from.Martha about the barrel, if I could, I next asked Mr. N. to tell me about some of the things that he did for relaxation 229 all by himself. "Do you read, go to lodge, go to the movie, or what?“ well, I'd say I mostly relax by visiting with people while I work. I had a lot of fun talking to old Mrs. B. the other day. You know she has a lot of humor about her. I used to think I'd like to be a Mason but that all fell through. There isn't much to read around here, but I do sneak out to the show once in a while. ”Sneak?” I questioned. I guess it amounts to that when I go, for Martha says I can't expect her to have much control over Janet if I do the same thing myself and Martha wouldn't go to the best show in the world. Mother, Janet and I went to see that show the parakeets talk in last summer, but Martha wouldn't. Did you see it? Jim, the crow, is in it, too. Much as I would like to have continued the interview, which really had seemed much more like a simple, friendly visit as I had meant it to, it was necessary to stop talking. Mrs. N. came into the room.and I found myself wishing that she would serve some of her cookies to refresh and fortify me for my talk with her. ”I am.so glad to have had a chance to visit with you, Mr. N., and I only hOpe that I haven't taken up too much of your time. won't you and Mrs. N. come to see us sometime?” It was now nine thirty and I hesitated to ask Mrs. N. to talk to me. ”It's getting so late, wouldn't you rather I would come again, mrs. N.?' I asked. Hastily, she motioned me to my chair again as if she feared I might get away from her and before I could say a word asked if I had noticed the way Janet was acting when she came into the house. "Why no, not especially," I prevaricated. She sighed and went on, 250 I had to leave my baking and go after her because I knew she wouldn't get home on time if I didn't and I won't have her staying out all night, at her age it pays to keep track of girls. Betty only lives in that stone house a block down, but those girls might go down town by themselves if I let Janet stay long enough. She was pretty mad but she can get over it. Thus started the interview. From Mrs. N's beligerant beginning, I sensed that she might give me a difficult time and that she was not in a mood to recall old memories for me. I felt that it might be wise to set the stage, so to speak, so that she might feel in a more pleasant mood. ”I've been admiring the flowers in the vase all evening. How in the world can anyone make them look so real? I had to look several times before I found that they were crocheted.” Obviously, I had caught her interest, for she said with a great deal of pride, I'I made the rugs, too.” After several minutes of discussion as to the merits of old rags versus other materials for rug making, an idea came to me as to how I might introduce, innocently, the topic of silk hose, since I might not have another opportunity so ideal. ”Do you ever use your old silk hose for making rugs,‘I I asked. It was a moment before she spoke, but I could see smmething in her face that was not pleasant. I was quite unprepared for the bitterness with which she attacked the silk hose idea. l'I wouldn't do that or even think of such a thing, because I don't believe in silk stockings. Cotton are plenty good enough for me and they've got to do for my family, too." I actually found myself feeling guilty over my own silk-clad 231 legs and pulled my skirt a bit lower instinctively. Apparently thinking that I might be offended, she added, ”Of course, it's every one to their liking.” Deciding to go over to her side, I said, "Well, I think that silk underwear might be placed in the same class, don't you?" "I tell Janet so all the time, but she is bound and determined to have both now that she's in high school.” It was with real difficulty that I kept myself from trying to help Janet by expostulating with her mother. I remembered that I was not to be thinking of help- ing the people I interviewed, just in time and closed my lips as words were about to come forth. With feigned calmness, for I was inwardly seething at the woman's expressed views, I asked how she managed to solve the problem. ”I just don't buy 'em for her. Her grandmother is the one who does, but she don't do it very often.” This last was said with an emphatic tap of her foot. She might as well have said, 11and she'd better not.“ "Do you make Janet's underwear? I find it quite difficult to get cotton slips that I like.” Some, I make and some I don't have to. I hope she'll get so she can sew before the year is over. At least she would be gettin' something useful and maybe she'd like what she made instead of having the pouts over what I make. Mrs. N. had said that she made some and some she didn't have to, and I asked her who made the ones which she didn't have to make. ”Various ones do,” came the answer. Since I was very curious to hear 232 about the 'barrel' from Mrs. N. and was sure that she must have reference to it in some way, I persisted by saying, I have a sister in New York City who sometimes sends me things that her patients have given her and then I don't have to make them either. Sometimes, though, I have to make them over before they can be used. The temptation must have been too much for Mrs. N. Her eyes seemed to brighten and she said, ”Is it all right for me to ask if you ever have any of the things left over? For if you do, my church could use them." Why had I not thought of that by myself, I wondered. Perhaps this was the way to get the information I wanted, and said, Of course it is all right to ask, and I do have lots of things that I can't use. If you could find a use for them, it would be doing me a favor. I'll bring them over and if there is anything you could use personally, or for your family, just do as you please with them. 'I'll call for them and then I'll feel that they're mine," she answered. I was beginning to get a glimmer of the truth about the barrel, so kept on trying. I'You spoke of your church, Mrs. N. Do you give the clothes to the church for rummage sales‘?‘I I had certainly said the wrong thing that time: Mrs. N. seemed quite alarmed and said, ”A rummage sale in our church? We don't believe in such things. We wait 'till we've got a barrel or box full and the Church sends them to our mission." I remarked that it was a wonderful idea and said that I should think there would be many things given that wouldn't be suitable for 233 for mission use. 'I'm glad to hear someone say that," was the nearest conveyance of a confession that I could get from my hostess in regard to her evident pilfering of the church barrel, but it was enough. "Will you tell me about how you manage to make the family income stretch these days, Mrs. N.? I have a terrible time making ends meet at our house.” I make them meet on what my man gives me and if everyone would come down off their high horse, we'd be all right. But first it's a new something for Janet and then it's a new something for me, only I don't let them rule me. 'Do you mean that you don't enjoy the new things, Mrs. N.?" I mean that my daughter don't need to think she can make me over and it isn't needful for her to be ashamed of her mother. What's more, I was never ashamed of my folks in my life, but Janet thinks that because she's in high school she can do as she pleases. ”Your father and mother must have been fine people, Mrs. N. Where did they live when you were a little girl?" I asked. ”In north of Wheeler, and when I was a little girl, girls and boys was different I can tell you. Why I never thought of the things that Janet does,‘ she answered. ”Did you always go to school at Wheeler, or were you just in high school there?” I was remembering that her husband had said they knew each other in high school and that she had only finished eight grades in school. The two statements did not seem to tally. I went to Wheeler. It was the nearest and Reuben was in high school. He never lets me forget it, either. When I was a little girl? Well for one thing, I remember that I was not sassy to my mother and father. Janet's not sassy to her father either but she is to me. For another things, I did what I was told and the Way I was told. When Pa said to go to bed, I went. When Ma put out 234 my clothes for school, I put 'em on and shut my mouth. "I think you must have been a nice child. Have you a picture of yourself when you were Janet's age?” My folks didn't take much stock in picture takin' and I must say it's about the only thing I ever thought different from them on. A nice picture is all right, I guess, but mine never turn out so well. 'Do you remember about going to church with your father and mother when you were a little girl?” I never miss church. I've always gone to church. That's the way my folks brought me up and that's the way I do. All of this time her lips had pursed primly as she talked and I felt she must be thinking me a sinner. I had on silk hose and lipstick and I knew full well that she approved of neither. "Do your parents still live north of Wheeler, Mrs. N.?" No. Pa died the year before I was married and Ma a couple of years after and that was pretty hard, but they're happy now, more happy than I am, I never had a sister nor a brother. I guess my folks didn't think much of big families and I don't either. ”What did you wear when you were married, Mrs. N.?" I wore a nice plain black dress and it was one I had. Reuben didn't care so much what I had on my back in those days as he does now. If he had his way, I'd look like a Jezebel. Since I was curious as to what her conception of a Jezebel might be, I asked what she meant. She told me in no uncertain terms. ”Red. A red dress is what he'd like me to do the work in, but I won't." 1'Does your church object to red, perhaps? Some churches do.n “It does and to a lot of other things that Reuben and Janet sneer about. I'll convince them, yet,” she answered. 235 Since I had looked the room over for a radio and had seen none, I felt quite sure that the N. family had none. Nevertheless, I asked if they had a favorite radio program to which they listened together and was told that they had more important olaces for their money than to Spend it on radios. "There's no time to listen if we had one," she said. "If we get our reading done and if I get Janet and Reuben to bed I'm doing well." She had mentioned bed and I gave a guilty start for it was after ten o'clock. ”Oh yes, your reading. Do you read many books and magazines, ihs. N.?“ "Here's what we read, mostly, and sometimes Reuben brings home MKBSaginaw News.” As she spoke, she pointed to the pile of papers on the'hfifle, which were Sunday School papers and magazines, as I had at first suspected. ”Do you read some of the stories together in the evening when ymiare all here?" I asked. "Not anyone but Mary and me." I remembered what Janet had told an abmnsthe True Confession ma azines of Betty's that she had been reading without her mother's knowledge. Janet had told me that she had an allowance of one dollar a week, ami] was beginning to wonder where that money came from. There didn't smmxto be an excess of money in the family and at the same time Janet Wmsreceiving an allowance. This seemed to be an off note condition Emll decided to ask Mrs. N. about it. When I did: I was not too 236 surprised to learn that she did not believe in giving children allowances. "I give Mary a few pennies once in a while and Janet a quarter.‘1 The father, then, was the guilty one and it was a secret from the mother, or possibly the Chicago grandmother had something to do with it. At any rate, I was glad for Janet that someone supplied her with an allowance. Since it was now nearly ten-thirty and I was sure I had out- stayed my time and my welcome, I stood up, thanked Mrs. N. and remind- ed her that she was to call one of these days on me. All of the in- formation she had not supplied, her husband or daughter had given me. I was weary and a little frustrated, for Mrs. N. had been very difficult and not at all satisfactory in her response to me. CASE STUDY 6 II‘JDUSTIU THE HS-uFAEJIIX CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE FORTY-NINE THE MOTHER, AGE FORTY-EIGHT PHYLLIS, AGE NINETEEN GARY, AGE TWELVE Mrs. HS. was prepared when I drove up on the afternoon of December eighteenth, as I had telephoned and asked her permission to make a personal call. As I entered the comfortable living room, Mrs. HS greeted me with a friendly smile and asked me to be seated. She was alone and apparently in the mood for visitors, as there was a tiny steaming electric kettle in copper standing upon the coffee table, with everything ready for a cup of tea. Just as I had settled comfortably in the chair offered me, Gary, age twelve, came bounding into the room and stopped short in his tracks. After introductions were finished I asked him when he'd like best to talk to me. He looked concerned, and then looked at his mother saying, ”Can't I go to Bob's, Mom?” After having been assured that going to Bob's was a sure thing, he said, ”How long will I have to stay?” I asked him if he could spare fifteen minutes or half an hour and he readily consented. His mother said that she had something to attend to, and perhaps we would like to do it right then. Gary looked nonplussed for an instant and then squared his shoulders as if the weight of the world 258 was upon them. To put him more at case, we discussed the coming Christmas holiday and the beautiful tree in the living room. "What do you want for Christmas, Gary, toys, books, clothes or all of them?" I asked. He assured me promptly, I'lill of them, and lots of them. What do you want?‘ I satisfied his question, and then he went on to say, ”I want clothes, mostly, I guess. I've gotten so I haven't a thing to wear to school or anywhere.” He eyed me for a moment and then I asked, "Which of your clothes would you rather wear to Sunday School?"' 'I wear my suit to Sunday School, and my sweater and jeans to school. Why?” I explained that I was interested in what boys liked best to wear to different places. When I questioned him about shirts and blouses, he was quite put out, and answered, I wear shirts, of course, only sissies would wear a blouse. I have worn long pants since I was.... well since for a long time is all I know. My mother would know. Long stockings are for sissies too. I don't care what color my clothes are. The rest of them are crazy about green, but I don't care what color mine are. On Sunday I dress like I told you, but after Sunday School I change into my school clothes so I can play ball with the fellows. When I asked about hats, and did he ever wear them, he answered, 'Nobody but Dad and Mother wear hats here. I go bare headed myself. ‘ Oh yes, Grandpa wears a hat too, you should see it, it's really a 'beaut.' It has holes in it for air he says.” I'Why do you want to know all these things?‘I Satisfied once more with my explanation, he said. 239 When it rains I don't wear anything on my feet, but my shoes, unless my mother makes me, and she usually does, so I wear rubbers and raincoat. 'When it snows, I wear my boots. I wear 'em.when it's muddy too, but I like shoes best. When it's warm? I go barefooted a lot, but I don't like to much. It's too much bother to get my feet clean at night. The barber cuts my hair, of course, but my grandpa says he could do it, only my dad won't let him. Phyl cuts hers sometimes, but my mother gives me the money for mine. Oil on my hair? The barber uses it on men, but he's too stingy to use it on me. I don't care though whether he uses it on me or not. I like my mackinaw to wear when it's cold and just my shirt when it's warm. Sometimes I wear sweaters in the summer. I don't know much about my clothes except my mother gets them for me and my grandpa finds fault because he can't go along. Whenever we go anywhere he has to tag along, and it gets tiresome having him go all the time. Sports at school? Sure I play football with the fellows after school and basketball when the gym is empty, but I'll play football when I'm in high school and good enough to make the team. No, we're not allowed to use the showers until we get in high school and there's no time anyway to take a shower. Could I go now, do you think? Bob must be waitin' for me. Telling him to skip along and thanking him.for the time he had given me, I waited for Mrs.HS. to come back into the room. when she came she laughingly said that she knew how relieved Gary mmst have been to get out of the house and start for Bob's house, since he never wanted to talk to any of her friends. By this time it was nearly three o'clock and my hostess deftly made and served tea. The time was ideal to bring up the first question I wished to ask which was in regard to where her girl- hood years had been spent. I spent nearly the first sixteen years of my life in the woods near,Alpena, Michigan, and I shudder yet when I think of my childhood back in those woods where my father was a lumber worker. It's odd that I love wooded spots today. Can I tell you why it makes me shudder to recall those days? Well, it 'was dark and lonesome and poor and there was no happiness for anyone. 'We were woods people and Mother had all of the burden 240 of Father and his bad moods, so she never had the heart to make Violet and me feel like anything at all. In answer to my query about Violet, she said she was her older sister now living near.A1pena. "Will you tell me more about your younger days and where you lived after you were sixteen?" I asked. There isn't much to tell and it's all so unhappy that I'd rather .not talk about it if you don't mind. I'll tell you about Violet though. She was pretty, and a year older than I. After she left home, I was so miserable that I remember going into the woods and crying, and.when Mother found me there,it's the only time I can remember her being really kind to me. When I put my head against her and sobbed, she stroked my hair for a bit before she went into the house. It was a year after that when I left. We never had anything like the other families we knew. Mrs. King, will you tell me why all this is of interest to you? For many just reasons Mrs. HS. For the study I told you about and right now because I am genuinely interested in you and your fine family. I think, too, that it may help me to better understand problems that some of my girls may have, and if I can grow in understanding and make myself a better mother and teacher, surely it will be worth while. 'Then I will be glad to continue,” she said. 'Well, I was pretty miserable after Violet left and she married into a mess that has made her unhappy and wrecked all of her life. She comes to see us once in a while, but she and Father still have the old hatred for each other and she might better stay in her own home, such as it is. She can't really afford to help Father, and she wouldn't anyway. ”Where did you go when you left home, Hrs. HS.?“ I asked. I went to Rogers City to work in a factory and that waS'where I met Harold. I liked him.right away. I remember how I used to buy what I thought he'd like best and once I spent thirty- five dollars for a gray satin dress with a low neck and feather plumes on the shoulder and one side of the skirt, and how I was in agony for fear he wouldn't take me to the dance after I had bought the dress. I must have looked like the queen of Sheba that night. .As I remember it now, it was a good bit like the dresses worn by dance hall girls in the movies. Harold liked it though, and it was soon after that we were married. Even then 241 Harold was doing well with the foreman's job in the paint department. We've lived here in.Alma for about eighteen years and the girls were both born in Onaway, but Gary was born here. we came here because the plant burned down and Harold's father died in that fire. We've had quite a struggle, but things have turned out nicely for us. The things we do together as a family? Oh, we do many things with never a word, but I think/we do a bit of arguing about the radio. Not really quarrels, but bickering and ribbing, and we've solved the problem by having a radio both up and down stairs, and one in Harold's den as well. Gary listens to his dad's radio when he wants Gene Autry and Phyllis listens to dance music while I listen to any talk that has to do with Psychology. Oh yes, I like the fashion and style talks a lot and Phyl and I often listen to them tagether. .As a group, we listen to the Lux Radio Theatre Program on Monday nights. I think Harold enjoys the new broadcasts, and the symphony music more than anything else. 'we never read much together except a Christmas story on Christmas morning. This year we are going to have Hamlin Garland's WHEN I 'WAS.A BOY. Are you familiar with it? Assuring her that I was, and that I thought it a splendid idea, I asked about the family magazines. She answered, ‘We seem to agree that Reader's Digest is best for the whole family. Even Gary reads it. Phyl and I like Charm magazine for ourselves. ‘Why do we? Oh, because of it's cloth3§:_I'think. You've probably guessed that we're quite close as a family so you will know that it's of importance to be together on holidays and birthdays. ThankSgiving, Christmas, Easter, Father's and Mother's Day and really all of them are important to us. I've always made a lot of every such occasion. I guess it's because I missed them when I‘was a child. I think that we almost always wear some new clothes at Easter time, even Harold, but we never do at any other time unless it's Phyl'with a new formal for a dance. I remember when she was a senior in high school, a couple of years ago, and she thought the Senior Dance had to have a new formal which she ‘wanted in the form of a red taffeta. It wasn't quite convenient for us to help her buy it just then, but her dad said if she'd change the color he might consider it. It ended up with six yards of lime taffeta and we practically made it right on her since the time was so short. ‘We all had a hand in it, even Gary, 'who shopped for velvet ribbon to match. She looked so nice in it that everyone was glad. It cost practically nothing. It was a rayon taffeta, and I think the whole thing came to about 'hwelve dollars. The red dress was somewhere in the thirties as I remember it. 242 In answer to my query in regard to the family mending and pressing, Hrs. HS. said she was afraid she had spoiled her family a bit, she supposed, but that she did most of it. She added, however, the Phyl helps take care of her clothes. She has room for improvement on the care she gives them. Ildene'was always so almost painfully neat and Phyl was always wanting to wear her clothes. I remember a white wool sweater of Uldene's that Phyl wanted to wear and had been forbidden. No one knew that she had worn it until we dis- covered it in the basement shrunken to about half its size. She had worn it to the basketball game and had spilled coke on it. She said she decided she would just wash it before Uldene noticed. She was forbidden to ever touch anything that was not her own. It was not a month before the girl's were trading clothes again though. How do I feel about Phyllis going without hose and'without hats? I abhore any woman going without hose and Phyllis never does, but she only owns one hat, and I tell her that's a funny one. I think the girls her age don't appreciate the nicety of what a hat can do for them. She does wear her hat when she goes to church, thank goodness! The question about church brought the answer that they attended Methodist Church. Hrs. HS. said, Yes, we go together to church, but not to Sunday School. Phyllis teaches a class in Sunday School and Gary is the one who goes to Sunday School as a member. He loves to go and goes to all of the Youth Fellowship meetings. Lately, he has been walking little Connie M. home frem the meetings and it's very cute. Well, we go to church practically every Sunday and we always go together except when Harold doesn't get home for the week-end. Our clothes for church? Oh, we all have what we've always called our 'church clothes' that we practically never wear anywhere else until they are a year old. I think the idea came from.Harold, having started it when we were first married. In fact the idea of going to church came from.him too. I have much to be grateful to him for. I never went to church as a child as we lived so far'away, and for other reasons. Our Sunday dinner is a funny one. It's a tradition with us that we get food ready on Saturday and then everyone helps himself on Sunday from.church. ‘We do have a hot Sunday night supper, though. Just simple things like creamed chicken over toast and a salad or dessert make up our supper. Phyllis and Gary usually wash the dishes, but since Phyl has 243 Mike here so much, he often takes Gary's place, and does that ever please Gary: Taking the conversation back to clothes and the family group, I asked about the 'New Look' and the answer came forth without hesitation. I certainly do think the 'New Look' is important to us and I hope we stay that way. Harold thinks it important, too. Some of our neighbors ridicule it, but clothes have always been important to us. 4After all the new look is only keeping in style, isn't it? About some of the other things we do as a family. 'We do many of the things thatother families do and some that they don't. For instance, we play ping pong but not many of our acquaintances do. We go on lots of picnics tOgether, walks in the woods in the spring and fall and we go on vacation trips together when Harold has his vacation. No, we don't play golf or tennis, except Phyl, who plays tennis. She wears shorts for that but she is not allowed to wear them except in the car and on the court. Her father is very strict about that and we both agree that girls look best in dresses. Gary says her legs are too fat for shorts, but that's only to tease her. Yes, she does wear sun suits in the house in hot weather, but only to work around the house in. She doesn't seem to mind much the way we feel about the shorts. In fact, she thinks the same I'm.sure because she often makes remarks about women in shorts. ‘We entertain quite a lot in an informal way, mostly weekends when Harold is at home, but Phyl has a gang here often and Gary brings in his friends. For the family together, though, it is mostly weekends. I think it is important to keep in touch with some of the families we've sort of grown up with and we get together quite often. Sometimes we even play the games that we played when the children were small. 'Bobbity-Bob-Bob' and 'Bird, Beast, or Fish' are old favorites with us. No,. I'm.sure we are never envious of our friends or relatives when they have or do something we can't. Very often Violet is jealous as I told you, and when we got our new rugs, she happened to come soon after and wouldn't even leak at them. All she would say was 'Oh, are they new?' Phyl was furious and said since our old rugs were threadbare that it was pretty obvious what was the matter. She vowed she'd never show her anything again. Glancing at the rugs in question, I remarked about the beautiful color, which was a deep soft green, and Mk8. HS. said, 244 ”We really bought the rugs in that color so we could have the drap- eries in the lime green.‘ ”It is a beautiful color”, I answered. 'Can you account for your liking it so much?‘ "I think it's because Harold always liked that color on me, and when the children were little he'd say, 'Let's get yellow green for Mommy.' That's the only thing I can think of at the moment.” ' ”How do you plan the spending of the family income, Mrs. HS.", I asked. She thought for a moment and then said, I do think that Harold and I agree on the spending of the family income. I've planned it more or less for years and he has seemed contented to have me manage. we do the first planning together and tell the children the results later. Uldine went to business school instead of college, and she enjoyed helping budget the money, only our budget isn't the regular kind, like you see printed in the magazines. Oh yes, my father does make an extra person living with us and we care for him, but he sleeps in the trailer out in the back yard. The budget didn't want to buy the trailer, but we have managed and once in a while we put his things in the garage and go on a trip with it. Harold is the main support of the family except that Phil works enough to help buy her clothes and I work possibly three weeks out of the year at the pastry shop down town when they need something special. I get a bit bored once in a while. No, the children have never been given an allowance, but they are given money when they want it, or they are made to understand why it is important for them.to go without. I have done most of the buying for the family clothing and I think Phil and Harold have had to have more than the rest of us, but we can all understand why. Once in a while Gary will say, 'Yes, but Phil had a new dress,' but it's never because he wants clothes when he says it. It's always because he wants new skates or a basketball. He never makes a fuss about it though. It's a little difficult to say what I think of lay-away accounts. I used to have them when I was first married and charge accounts, too. Now I have neither one, but Phil has both and we don't object as long as she feels the responsibility and as long as she works to help pay her bills. In general, though, I think they should be watched with an agile eye. Charge accounts were not right for me when I was young because I went so wild with job at being my own boss and having things of my own that I'm 245 afraid I was like a drunken person because I spent everything for my clothes. In answer to my question about used clothing, Mrs. HS. said, I have a special aversion to rummage sale clothing, and I don't know why except because it looks so dreary in the windows. I've made over many things for my girls and they have seemed to like then. As a girl, I remember that my mother had no machine and honestly, I don't know how she managed to cover us, let alone make us happy. I do remember how I hated our ugly cotton dresses that my father brought home from town once in a while. They never fitted us and we were supposed to grow into them to save money. When questioned about college for the children, Mrs. S. said that she had definitely wanted both the girls to go, and went on to explain, Uldine preferred business school and a fur coat to college. Phil wanted college but doesn't want to finish. She and Mike want to get married in the summer and we won't opoose it. Our choice of college was left to Phil and she chose Alma, because she wanted to be at home. ”College activities sometimes call for the wearing of slacks or jeans, don't they? Does Phil ever wear them?" I asked. the Phil never wears jeans but does wear some perfectly awful black and white plaid slacks that we all hate. They make her look like a circus but she says it's the one thing she looks wicked in and she wears them in spite of everything, once in a while. ”When Phil was in high school did she go to the mixers after games?" I asked. Oh, the mixers always called for dates for our girls and they like to wear just their school clothes, but when they went to a special dance they always had something new. You see, Harold and I always remember that we were young once and we have wanted the children to be as happy as possible. Have we ever given them clothing or denied it as a punishment or a bribe? Never: This I think would be wicked. Why should a parent be unnecessarily 246 cruel? As the wife and.mother of the HS. family, I'd say first of all that it's been a happy experience for me. I'm still enjoying it. Gary is only twelve and I'm sure there are many years ahead. I try to be a good influence but sometimes I get a little weary and think I'd like to be free and just myself again, but I always know I'm a lucky woman that I had the chance to in- fluence anyone. In regard to the clothes for my family, I think it's merely natural that the mother should be the guiding influence. Prompted by the question, ”Was your mother your guiding influence when you bought the dress with the plumes,” Mrs. HS. laughingly answered, I'm.afraid you have me there because very positively, she had no influence over me at all. She was very bitter about my extravagances and knew that Harold would never live with me if he ever married me. But, just the same, I'm sure that I in- fluence my children because I have learned through experience that plumes are beautiful and sometimes more important than bread. Our children have had many plumes so to speak. Never have they had a flat 'No' when they longed for something whether it be beads or shoes. I've managed to make them happy while refLsing them.something because I have explained family finances to them.and.they have always known the reason behind about the 'No', and I think that's important. Maybe I'd never have been so foolish about the dress with the plumes if I had ever been told the reason why I couldn't have things. When I went to Onaway to work, I spent everything to put on my back, and as I look back now it's a wonder Harold ever had patience with me. He doesn't know, even yet, that I spent so much for my wedding dress and that I had no slip or good hose to wear with it and had to borrow from a friend. It was a beautiful wedding dress, and just as silly as the plumes, but it made up beautifully for a carriage robe and a little bonnet and coat for Uldine when she arrived. I still have a piece of it. Rising, she moved to the room across the hall and came back bearing a piece of heavy satin backed crepe in a luscious shade of pink. It seemed undimmed by the years and I could visualize Mrs. HS. as a radiant bride. As she gently carressed the piece of cloth, 247 I asked, ”And did you buy some pretty dresses after Uldine came?" The question brought Mrs. HS. back to reality and she laughed as she said, Oh, when I found that she was on the way, my mother said, 'At last, thank God, Nellie is going to get some sense,' and that was when I cut up my wedding dress for the baby things and had my friend help me make them. I'm afraid my first efforts at sewing for my b by were pretty bad. I think my mother thought that I had gotten over my love for pretty clothes, but I re- solved that my children should never be made to suffer as I had suffered. ”Do you keep a record of what you spend for the family clothing?" I asked. Mrs. S. thought a moment and said that she kept a record of everything that was spent whether or not it was for clothing. She then continued by saying, You see, I've never forgotten how Harold would sit with me and patiently explain how much he made had to cover what we spent and some to put in the bank, besides. Nor have I forgotten how he looked when sometimes I forgot that we had Uldine and after a couple of years, Phil, and would go on a binge and buy myself something silly that wasn't suitable to wear. I think that if he hadn't been so patient, we might not have been very happy. He never scolded me, but once he looked so sorry that I put the dress in a box and sent it to a cousin who was going to be a missionary. I guess I thought she might give it to a heathen, but I'm.sure it never reached China. I shed some bitter tears over that one, but I think I was sure that I'd never be silly again. You see, I had used the money that was for a payment on the stove. ”Were you handling the family finances at that time?" ‘Well, it was soon after that when Harold began to travel for the paint department and told me that I'd have to take care of things at home so that he could make more money for us to live on. I think it was that more than anything else that made me grow up and realize that I was partly responsible for our children and our home. I managed, too, and put some of every check in the bank. When we moved here we had enough for a down payment, on the house I mean, and I was proud. If you've never had to make 248 a payment, you wouldn't understand. You asked about my handling the family money. I think he's happy about the way I've managed. ”Do the children buy their own clothes," I questioned. Of course, Uldine is married, but Phil has bought all of her own clothes since she was in high school and has helped to pay for them the last several months. Gary doesn't seem to care to buy his but I hope he will get interested. Uldine and Phil learned without the bad time that I had, to know what was suitable and what wasn't and when they've wanted a five dollar nightgown in- stead of one we could afford, they have always been shown what the money had to be used for. They have both always loved pretty things and have liked to see me well dressed. I feel sure that if you asked them they would say they would rather have me have a new dress than for them to have one. Of course, It's only Phil now, but that's the way it has always been. 'When Phil was little, she used to say, 'Can't we all have something together, Mommy?‘ Now that I think of it I think I have one suit that I like in particular but I'm.not so giddy now about my clothes. Phil buys me something to wear once in a while and Harold never fails to buy me clothing of some kind for Christmas. Even Gary bought me a lace hanky this year. Questioned as to the opinion she held in regard to the children's taste in clothing, Mrs. HS. said, I think that Phil, in particular, has very good taste about style. Of course, Gary hasn't developed it yet and I'll be glad when his father is here more to be with him. I think that Uldine's taste, in comparison with Phil's is not quite so good. I think she is a bit more like I was as a girl, but she is getting better all the time. I probably did a better job with Phil since I was two years older when I had her. Phil is very good in knowing styles both for herself and for me, and I think I approve of everything she has except her plaid slacks and they are a disgrace. Her father hates them, too, and I think it's about the only thing they don't agree on. .At‘this point an old gentlemen entered the room and I guessed immediately that it was Mrs. HS's father. "Nother peddlar?" he questioned his daughter. 249 A look of annoyance crossed her face. She flushed and then said kindly, I'No, father, this is Mrs. King who is visiting with me. She is one of Phil's teachers, you know. Could I do something for you? Gary took the new pipe out to you didn't he?" Stopping short, as he neared the doorway on his way out, the old man turned and said, ”Want to see where they keep me?” I looked at Mrs. HS. with raised eyebrows, questioning with my eyes as to whether or not she wanted me to go. I was especially eager to visit him as Phyllis had already told me about the problem of getting 'Grandpa' to change his clothes. His house was a trailer in the back yard and as I started to rise from my chair, I said,”Mrs. HS., we are considering buying a trailer house and if you wouldn't mind I'd like very much to have your father show me his. It might help us in selecting one." ’Of course, you may,” she replied, ”and while you are gone I'll just skip over to the store and get some yeast. Phil is going to make a yeast chocolate cake tonight.” Knowing that it was a rare opportunity and one not likely to come again, I followed Mr. M. to the back yard, where, under a high tree, stood the trailer. It was new and modern, as Phyllis had said it was. Evidently the old man didn't think he was very lucky to have such a nice place, for the first words he said were, ”Well, here's where I sleep but she can't keep me in here all the time.” "Why Mr. M., I'm sure you must like to visit your daughter 250 and her family in the house, don't you?" ”Nope,” he answered. ' I ain't goin' to visit Nellie anymore." He said this in almost direct contradiction of his previous notion that it was his daughter's idea to keep him.in the trailer all of the time. I'Why not, Mr. M.? I should think you would like that more than anything else.” He quickly answered, 'Do like it when she's away, but I don't when she ain't.” 'Oh come now, your daughter must love you and would feel hurt if she knew you talked like that. I won't tell her. Now that you are older, she must like to take care of you just as you took care of her when she was a girl.” He sniffed and said, ”Care for Nellie? Not that one.‘ He lasped into silence while his pipe, which sent forth a putrid odor, was filled, tamped down with a none too clean fore- finger and lighted. I re-opened the subject deliberately by saying, "Why didn't you care for Nellie when she was a girl?" He looked at me carefully and said, Oh her: I never could suit Nellie and her’mother was so danged afraid I'd take a drink an' lose my job. Between the two of them, I led a merry hell of a life an' now she thinks she is God Himself and can tell me what t'do. ”What did you do in those days to earn money for your family, Mr. M.,' I asked. ”011 legged“, he answered briefly. ”How old's your father?" he asked with an unpredicted change of topic. Upon being told that he was nearly eighty years of age, he brightened 251 visibly and said, ”Well, Nellie and I never did get along for some reason and now she harps all day about me takin' a bath and changin' my shirt. H'aint coin' to change it til' I git good and ready.“ ”But don't you like the blue shirt hanging up there?" I pointed to the wall where three freshly laundered shirts were hang- ing, one of them a bright blue. He answered, "Naw, I like black. It don't show any dirt, but that's Nellie for you, always wantin' something bright." I realized, at this point that Grandpa's voice was trailing off and that he was about to take a nap. The old head was sinking back and his pipe has ceased to glow. Slowly the old eyes closed and the first stirrings of a snore came forth from the parted lips. I slipped out of the trailer, and as I glanced at my watch, noted with a start that I had visited with him almost an hour. At my tap on the kitchen door, Mrs. HS. led me back to the living room where she assured me she had lots of time to finish our visit and that she had an idea that her father would brag for days about my having gone into his trailer. ”It's only a pose with him when he says he doesn't like it," she said with a smile. Knowing that she must wonder about what her father had talked about, I told her frankly that I wished she would tell me a little more of her childhood relationship with her father. After a bit of silent thought, she said, I think I was always ashamed of my father. Even now, try as I will, I am bitterly ashamed. He will not be clean and we get so desperate that Harold removes his clothes almost by force. Of course, some little part of that is because he is old. 252 “Can you tell me a little more about your father when you were a girl? Your name, nor his, will ever appear in print and you will never be connected with this in any way." Thus assured, Mrs. HS. said, I'You know, this is very strange to be talking to you about these things. I've never thought of dis- cussing Father with anyone but Harold.” Telling her of my appreciation for her confidence in me, I asked, “NOW'will you please go back to when you were in your teens?” 'Well, I left home when I was sixteen and was married before I ‘was quite eighteen. I left home because I had no clothes for school, and because I was tired of my father's cane hitting me as it had hit my sister. He kept a cane for the express purpose of giving us a caning whenever he was in an ugly mood. Because he drank up any extra money there was and often as not the money that should have provided food. Those are some of the reasons my sister hates him now and refuses to help in any although she really can't. I have forced myself to be as kind as possible now that he must be cared for, but it's awfully hard to pretend that I love him.dearly. I owe nothing to my father and still I feel my duty and I can't go to church on Sunday and feel right if I've been harsh with him, Harold and I agree then that he must be cared for and we are thankful that we don't have Mother HS. with us, too. My sister has always said that if Father had not driven her away from.home that she might be educated as well as I, but I'm not sure that she would be much happier than she is, but perhaps she would. Not being able to reconcile the fact that Mrs. HS. had left home to go to work and that she seemed to be fairly well educated, I asked whether or not she had gone to high school after she had gone to Alpena. No, not to school, but I was taught by Rev. Richter, where I had a room. I think I was bright and he was interested in me, and it is to him that I owe gratitude for knowing how to go on and study by myself. You see, in spite of my being giddy about my clothes, I always had a desire to learn. Even now the family 253 indulge me in listening while I tell about some book that I am reading which Phil wouldn't even think of looking at because she says it's too deep. Taking Mrs. HS's mind back to her father and her girlhood with the question, ”What seemed to cause the most trouble between you and your father?” she said, I think it was because I wantud him to be like other girl's fathers and not drink and because I always wanted pretty things to wear. The answer was always the same. It was 'No'. I think at one time my mother might have been more understanding if she'd dared to stand up to my father, but he ruled her life until she died soon after Phil was born. He made her harsh and almost brutal. He's been with us for nearly seven years now, and I suppose it can go on and on. He tries to bribe Gary to buy him whisky and occasionally Harold lets him have a little, but it is hard for'me to want to buy him.liquor now to make him.happy when he drank up the money that could have kept me at home. Perhaps I'm harder on him than I should be. I suppose he told you that I am mean to him. Laughingly, I told her about the blue shirt and with a rueful smile, she said, He is really dirty you know, but Harold manages him.much better than I can. Not long ago Phil, knowing that I wanted him to be clean because some relatives were coming, said that she would take care of it. She went to the trailer and, 'Now Grandpa, you must change your shirt because Mother doesn't want her cousins to think she doesn't keep you clean.‘ She started to unbutton his shirt. He was furious and jerked away and said, 'H'aint goin' to change my shirt and no woman can unbutton my clothes.‘ Phil said she tried and tried but all he'd say was, 'Nope, ain't goin' to.‘ It ended that Harold took his shirt off and put on a clean one. It isn't as though he had to pay for his clothes often or the laundering of them. He pays nothing except for the cookies he buys and tucks all over the house and the trailer. He does nothing but complain, munch his cookies, pick at his nails and whittle. I next asked whether or not Mrs. HS. had an allowance of her own,and she answered, 254 Oh, I give Harold an allowance out of the money he gives me to handle. I just spend what I feel I must for myself and I think Harold has trusted my judgment for a long time. There is no reason to argue over what we spend for we always talk it over together. Now that Phil buys some of her clothes, it makes it possible for us to save more. we have always agreed upon all of the children having what they needed and wanted most if we could possibly swing it. I've never had the experience of having the children go to their father for something in clothing if I had 'No', but I don't think I'd like it at all. It would make me feel that I had failed completely to make them understand. I think I can answer your question in regard to how style, fashion and quality can be achieved by my family, by saying that first of all we must be intelligent in our buying, and then by keeping up on what is new. I think quality is something a child must be taught as he grows and I think Phil has learned it but Gary hasn't. If I live to be an old, old lady, I think all three of those things will be of interest to me. Quality or quanity? I used to think the more I could have the better, but I learned how wrong I was a long time ago. I think I seemed to pick good quality in the past partly because I made them.over and partly because I hate cheap, shoddy clothes. ”Do you still sew and make over clothes?" I asked. Musingly, she picked up the piece of heavy satin which was still resting on the table. Again her face became tender as she stroked it and I could see her as a young, giddy, clothes loving mother cutting up the beautiful cloth in order that her first baby might have a coat, bonnet, and carriage robe. At last she spoke, If the minister's wife had not taught me, I could never have made any of the things I have. I love to sew and so does Phil. Since the girls have been out of high school, I haven't sewed so much except for Uldine's children and that's lots of fun. Baby things cost hardly anything*when you make them, Look at the little jumper Phil is making. It only takes a scrap of cloth. In fact, that piece of cloth came from.our left over bag of scraps. I'Who needs the most clothes and spends the most money for them in your family Mrs. HS?u I asked. 255 I think it costs more to dress Harold than anyone else, although if Phil didn't help some with her clothes, the cost might be about the same. Harold's work on the road is important and calls for plenty of good clothes. Gary's clothes are getting more expensive and next year when he gets into high school, we'll find a difference in the cost I know. Telling Mrs. HS. warmly that I had enjoyed every minute of the time spent with her, and meaning it, I arose and said that I would like very much to meet Mr. HS. if she thought it would not be asking too much. She said that her husband would not be at home until Christmas Eve but would remain for a long week-end if I would care to visit him.cn Menday, the 27th. I left saying that I would telephone on Monday to find whether or not Mr. HS. could possibly see me and that I would see Phyllis in school next week. The Tuesday following the interview with Mrs. HS., Phyllis and I had settled down for a visit about decorations for a New Year's dance, when I approached her in regard to an interview. She immed- iately said she would love to, and when did I want to do it, now? Before we settled the decorations, I started my interview. I started by asking her view in regard to the sharing of the family income. She answered, Well, I think I've always thought that Mother knew best about the income, but she has always discussed bills that were to be paid, and told us what money could be spent. My father's income has never been a secret from.any of us. I think I've spent more than my share of the income for formals, but still, I've worked to help buy my clothes. I suppose, now that I think of it, that I could have gotten along with fewer formals. 256 'When I asked her about shopping for her own clothes, she answered, Yes, I like to shop for my own clothes, but I like to have Mother with me. I value Uldene's and.my Mother's opinion when I buy clothes, but I value my girl friends opinion on whether I look sharp or not. Yes, I think I've had a fair share of the income money for my clothes. I've just spent more, because I earned it, and I love clothes. I expect both my father and I have more clothes than Gary or Mother, although we all dress nicely. My father travels and needs to look well dressed, and of course, college does take a lot of clothes. I think my ideas are definite in regard to personal problems in that I think a girl should not have to have them. In my family, we talk things over before they become problemm. I knew about sex when I was quite young and I think that sex and clothes problems are the biggest ones that girls have. You should hear the 'bull' sessions and you'd think so too. Our home life is happy, but I think it's because my folks are so understanding. I haven't too many responsiblities, but I must start having some. Mike and I are engaged, you know. After having duly admired her ring, I asked whether she pre- ferred.to look like the other girls at school or be dressed differently. Oh, I like casual clothes when they are like the other girls wear, but even then I like to be individual with accessories. I definitely like to be different when I dress. No, I've never been more than momentarily jealous of anyone's clothes, because I think I dress fairly well and have a pretty good figure. I've never been ashamed of my looks. I'Have you ever been ashamed of the way your family look?" I asked. She answered, Never of anyone but Grandpa, and we just can't help it that we're ashamed of him. I don't suppose I should tell you that, it seems awful, but I guess it has always been that way. Having already seen Grandpa, I went on to ask Phyllis if she had ever asked one parent for clothes if she had been refused by the other, and she said, 'I couldn't do that, and it wouldn't work ‘i‘ 0‘. ‘Ii I‘l‘ il‘ it a“ 0-: as a.” I 257 anyway. My mother and father are too close for anything like that. Her opinion in regard to cosmetics, deoderants and depilatories was that positively they should be made of use. Everything but mascara and eye shadow in cosmetics, and I think they are for the stage. Certainly clothing is made more beautiful by the use of cosmetics, don't you think? And hose are much prettier if the hair doesn't stick out through them. Deoderants protect clothing from odors, so I think they are awfully important. ”How do you decide what to wear when you go out with Mike, Phyllis?" I asked. Oh, I just put on what I like at the moment and hope he likes it too. I like new clothes to surprise him.with though. Mother says I shouldn't expect so much after I'm.married. Yes, I suppose it's my responsibility to wash, mend and iron my clothes, but Mother does a great deal of it for me. In fact, I think she probably spoils me a little, but I do lots for her too. The dress I like best? I like my green faille best because it makes my eyes prettier and it flatters my figure. I've been wishing I could find some green earrings, like the ones you were one night, to go with it. It's in style and my family like it on me, and Mike does too. I'd like to add more beautiful under- wear to my wardrobe, more formals and a fur coat. I won't have the coat and probably only one new formal this year, because of the cost. I'mfa bit more conservative since I help buy my own clothes. It's up to me to pay my charge accounts out of my own money I earn. ”How would you classify yourself in comparison to other girls?” I think I'd classify myself as rather sharp in comparison, but it's partly because of my being able to sew, as I can do little things to my clothes to make them different. Ready made clothing in contrast to home sewed? Well, my mother sewed for me until I 'was able because it cost less, and I always liked what she made. In fact, I was crazy to wear my sister's clothes and thought it quite the thing to have Mother fix them for me. I like ready made clothes too. I sew some for myself though, and find it much cheaper. I'd just as soon wear clothing given by the family and friends, but not bought at a rummage sale. I like clothes for Christmas and birthday gifts, especially under garments with lace. I wouldn't like a dress though because I'd rather choose it myself. U‘l 258 The social activities I enter in are mostly our college events. This includes the games, dances, and I go to church suppers with the family. Mether and Dad get together with some of the other families we've known for years and years. Gary always goes with them. Yes, I belong to a sorority, but I don't hold an office. 'We have social activities too, like the formal dinner dance annually. we never dress in any special way for the regular meetings, but always wear heels and hose if our patronesses are to be present, or if we are invited to one of their homes. I dance plenty and like to be in formal dress, although Mike doesn't own a tux. My favorite movie star? Lana Turner. I like everything about her, looks, acting and the sharp way she dresses. Reader's Digest is my favorite magazine for heavy reading, but the Charm magazine for clothes. I get lots of my ideas for fixing over my clothes from there. I'I think that covers about everything Phyllis, but before you go, tell me just one more thing. The things you enjoy most and least at home,. I said. Phyllis thought for only a moment and said, ”The thing that I enjoy most at home, I think, is the comradship I have with my mother. She is wonderful: Least I guess is my grandfather because he bothers my mother so much.” I told the girl 'goodbye' and that I would call at her home to see her father as already arranged with the mother. On the following Monday at ten o'clock, I gave the HS. telephone number to the long distance Operator and as luck would have it, Mr. HS. answered in person. He was very friendly and courteous and gave me an appointment for two o'clock that afternoon. Again I approached the door of the HS. home and Mrs. HS. met me with the kindest of smiles and led me directly to her husband's den, where she said, we could be undistrubed. At her tap, a kindly well groomed man came to the door and said, ”So this is Mrs. King. 259 What's this all about, anyway? Has Phil been up to something? Have a chair where my smoke won't bother, or would you rather I didn't?“ Assuring him that I enjoyed the smoke rather than otherwise, I sat down in a shadowed corner, the better to see his face as we talked. I briefed him quickly by saying, I'm.sure Mfs. HS. must have told you of the reason for my wishing to have an interview, but I want you to know that I am really glad to have the opportunity to meet you, too. I would consider it a great favor if you would tell me about your boyhood, where you lived and about your brothers and sisters. You have such a fine family that I am sure you must have had a happy life as a boy. Tell me first of all, if you will, where you lived the first fifteen or twenty years of your life. Mr. HS. smiled and said, That's an easy question. 'We always lived in Onaway. my father and mother moved there from.Maine and Tharold and I were born in Onaway. Tharold is my twin brother. There were just the two of us and now he lives in Detroit. my mother lives there with him and his wife. Father died some fifteen years ago and‘Mother is eighty-six now and bright as a button. There's not much of interest about my boyhood I'm afraid. As I look back on it now, I suppose I must have fretted over a lot of things that I had no business being bothered with but some of them still stick in my mind. My father was a preacher of sorts and while he didn't have a church of his own, he went about with revivals and preach- ed funeral sermons and someway he managed to keep us going. Mother had money she had brought from Maine, but father wouldn't let her use it. Once in a while, though when he would say that he would have to go to work in the saw mill to earn more money, Mother would come to the rescue for she would not have his ego shattered by having him.do anything but preach. But he did quit before he died, thank Heaven. He was never out out to be a minister but he was a good man. ‘We all went to church when I was a boy. 'We certainly did, and I'll never forgetthe time it happened that Tharold lied about me and said I wasn't in church When all the time it was Tharold who wasn't there. You see we looked so much alike that he could pull that stunt and Mbther would never know because she wouldn't believe me'when I told her. Tharold always threatened me with.hellish things like killing my pet toad if I ever told again, so I finally stopped trying to tell. He even made me learn his Bible verses as well 260 as his own. Don't think that Father didn't know though. He would say, 'Never mind, Son, the Devil and your mother take Tharold, but you are mine.' I knew, as I grew older, that Father didn't admire Tharold and that he was not happy at home. It was such a golden opportunity to let Mr. HS. talk on and be drawn out about church and religion, that I said, ”Will you tell me more about the church you attended when you were a child?” Well, it was the Baptist church and my mother was and still is a good straight laced Baptist, so of course it was that church where we went. But I'm.not sure my father was a member. Now if you know anything about the Baptists... I was brought up on hell fire and brimstone and with the idea that if I failed to learn my verses and say my prayers that God would strike me dead or punish me in some awful way. At first, I was afraid, but I learned that nothing bad ever happened to my brother and he cheated on the verses and prayers. The punishment I got when he cheated was from.my mother who made me learn twice as many verses and whip me, besides. My father never whipped me, but I remember once when he said that Tharold was kin to the Devil and that he'd take care of him. He did, too, and he and my mother didn't speak for days. I guess Tharold tried to get out of the verses and prayers because he was lazy and hated them. Yes, we always said a blessing at meals and to this day my brother says one for my mother's benefit. He blesses the food in order to get my mother to give him money for drinking and a good time for him and his friends. His wife drinks too and smokes. My poor old mother would die if she knew it. But here I've been telling you about life in Detroit when you want to know about my life as a boy. Did I like church and Sunday School? Do you ever like what you have to do? But I guess I didn't mind so much with the exception of the way Tharold put it over on me, until I was maybe six teen and then I was sure I was too old to learn the verses. I can quote half the Bible, I'll bet. I don't think I looked forward to going, I just expected to go. .As I got older I could see the difference between my father and mother and I decided I'd be like my father even though he always said he'was a failure. well, I liked the shiny coin my mother always gave me to put in the collection and I liked the sing- ing but I hated the Amens. I hated the extra scrubbing I got for half the time I got Tharolds, too. I didn't like the square white collar on the outside of my jacket. It always 261 scratched my neck. Father always swore under his breath about those collars and he had a neck scarf that he were because my mother did not think it right that he should wear a collar. I saw my mother hide that neck scarf once but she never did it again because my father roared and swore he would never set foot in a church again. Mether? Oh she always were her black shawl even in the summer time, except when it was the very hottest. She always had a dark dress on and she always looked the same. Yes, I finink she made most of her clothes and I know she made the square collars. I don't remember about the rest of the clothes. I made up my mind long ago that religion should be enjoyed and not forced upon people. we all go to church to- gether, and I wear a good suit and guess the others do too. "Mr. HS., you have two children still at home and that makes for careful planning. I am very much interested in clothing problems particularily from the view point of a man. Can you help me?‘ I asked. Mr. HS. thought for a moment and then said, I suppose we have clothing problems but I'm.sure my wife can tell what they are a lot better than I can. She handles the money and since I'm.gone so much, I don't get in on all of the problems. I tried again with a query, I'When you were a boy did you know 'what work you wanted to do when you grew up?” I knew that I wanted to go to school, but it was Mr. LOgan at the Lobdell plant who helped me know and who taught me to figure. After I finished the eighth grade, I worked for a while in the saw mill and then Tharold wanted to go to the plant and we did. I've always thought that it was due to Father that I got a job and my brother didn't. He went to Detroit after that. I started working for Mr. LOgan. He smoothed up my English and gave me promotions when he thought I had earned them. I'm.happy in my work now and I think my family like it too. Of course it is bad to be away during the week. I commented that it must have taken a lot to set up house - keeping when he was first married and he said, well, we had a little house but not much in it at first. I remember a party we gave that we couldn't afford and we had to have our guests sit on the floor because we only had two chairs. Nellie had asked the other girls to bring the sandwiches and we had a new phonograph that wasn't paid for, to dance by. 262 VAnd did Mrs. HS. have a new dress for the party?" I asked. ”Nell glzgys had a new dress for a party in those days and she sure had one for that,” he answered. I watched his face closely for any sign of annoyance but found none at all that I could detect. I wish you could get her to tell you about the dress with the feathers that she had before we were married. That was a honey and it's a family tradition now as she has always used it as an object lesson to the girls. How did I feel about the new dresses that my wife bought? I always liked to see her look pretty and I still do. My mother always looked the same and she still does. Funny, isn't it, how some people can manage to do that? Nellie and reached the point, though where we agreed to pay the rent first and buy the dress afterwards. ”If you used to enjoy the phonograph together, perhaps you like the radio now?” This opened the way for Mr. HS. to say precisely what his wife had said in regard to the radio. About reading he said, Nb don't read together much except on Christmas. I wouldn't want' to tie my family down to anything like that for I can remember yet the daily Bible reading which my mother insisted on. It got mighty tiresome and I'd try to pass the time by thinking of Job and his boils. Once Mother whacked me and asked what I was think- ing about and before I could stop the words, I said, 'Nothing but Job, Mother.' The holidays? Yes they have always meant a lot, partly because Nell and I always celebrated everything that came along, and we surely think it is important to be tOgether on all of the special ones like Christmas. Yes, lots of times I've bought something new for Nellie to wear on a holiday and I still like to buy her a little something just to bring the holiday look to her face. I like to buy for the kids, too. "Mrs. HS. has told.me about the recreation you indulge in, so you tell me, if you will, how you feel about Phil wearing shorts to play tennis in.” Pondering not at all on this, Mr. HS. said, I don't like shorts for anything and I don't like men's pants on ‘women. They may be right for other people but not for my family. 263 Phil has a pair of plaid ones that are an abomination and I threaten to burn them.up. I hate like the Devil to give them resting room in the house. 'Of course I know that Mrs. HS's father lives here,” I observed, 'and I suppose.......“ Mr. HS. broke in and said, "He's a bad one and pretty tough to handle. It's a bad situation for my wife but perhaps she's told you about him?” I nodded in silent sympathy and then asked how they managed to shop for the old gentlemen. It was evident that Mr. HS. didn't know just how it was done for he spread his hands in a gesture of futility. I'Do you like to shop for clothes with any of your family?” I asked. This was given a quick answer, Just with Nell. my wife is okay to shop with because she always knows what she wants and I like her to buy my clothes. All but my suits and topcoats. Then I like her to give her opinion on them but I like to see them too. I'd never dare trust Phil or Gary or Uldine to buy me a suit for they might end up with a lime green one e ”What's the matter with lime green for a color?” I asked. ”Not for a suit of course but just as a color?” Mr. HS. laughed and said, ”Nothing at all. I was only joking. It's been a favorite so long in this family that we even joke about it.” Mr. HS. had given me a great deal of his holiday time and after finding that it was getting very late, indeed, I thanked him and hurried away. CASE STUDY 7 IN DUS TRY THE R-«FA‘JILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE FIFTY THE MOTHER, AGE FORTY-SIX BUHL JR., AGE SEVENTEEN NANCY, AGE FOURTEEN RUTH, AGE TWELVE JOHN, AGE ELEVEN After having written Mr. and Mrs. R. a letter asking permission to call at their home on Thursday January 6th, I drove the short distance of four miles and approached the 'down-at-the-mouth' house with trepidation. The only thing I had known previously about the family of five was that they lived in the country but were not farmers, and that the head of the family, Mr. R., was known to be an excellent mechanic when sober. An ugly looking dog followed me up the ramshackle steps growling at every move I made and causing me to walk sideways saying, "Nice deg, nice dog,“ as soothingly as I could while I longed to make a dash for my car. I'm sure that the oft repeated tale of a dog smelling fear is true, for that dog's bared fangs and laid-back-ears showed that he knew I was frightened. I thought the door would never open, but at last just as the beast made a last menaceing move and gave a particularly vicious growl, it was opened a crack, and then wider, and a strident voice said, 265 'Cracker, you 01' devil out of hell", and a heavy boot clad foot lifted the dog into the air and he landed on the frozen ground with a thud. I wasnot sure, as I entered the odiferous, dank smelling kitchen, where my greatest safety lay, in the house or‘out in the fresh cold air with Cracker. It was Mr. R. himself who had given me sanctuary within the house, for he said, "You that woman who wrote th' letter 'bout comin' ta see us?I Pulling myself together and assuring myself that I had nothing to fear, I answered him that I was the one, but that I would come again if he'd rather. ' I had not hoped to find the husband at home at that time but had thought that I might stay, interviewing the rest of the family, until he returned from work. It was unexpected good luck to find him at home. I'The missus is 'round somewheres, ya want 'er?" After making him understand that I would like to talk to everyone individually, he said in his gutteral voice, ”Th' kids ain't home, none but John and he don't count.‘I At that, he pointed to a corner of the room where sat a child on an old blanket which was spread on the floor. From the looks of the nest in thecorner, I guessed that John must sleep right there in the kitchen. 'How old is John, and didn't he go to school today?" I asked. ”Johnny's 'leven, Mrs., and he don't go anymore. He's goin' away pretty soon where they keep kids like him.". This was said stocially, 266 as though it were of small moment. 'Go ahead and talk, if ya want.” I was starinq at the lad in the corner who looked, in so far as my knowledge went, completely foolish. His face was pale and thin with dark circles under the eyes, his hair was ragged and uneven and obviously had been uncut for a long time. His body was hidden by a faded, dusty looking bathrobe that had seen it's best days long ago. Deciding to see if I could interest the lad, I took my bright red driving mittens over to him and holding them out, smiled and said kindly, "Do you like my mittens, John?" His claw-like hand with the dirt encrusted uncut nails stretched toward the mittens. Three times he tried to reach them and I placed them in his hand. 'He can't hear ya,” said the father. John made no attempt to put them on but fondled them and after a bit put them inside the robe. Turning away from the boy I remarked that Mr. R. and I might visit together until Mrs. R. came in. 'I'd like ta know where the hell she's at,” commented her husband while he was pulling up a chair for me. my unshaven host sat down a little too near me for comfort and for my overly developed sense of smell. I say for comfort, for he had a gleam in his eye which I did not like. He wore no tie but had on a sleeveless gray jerkin and greasy blue denim pants which had been worn so long without washing that they held dozens of creases. I had carried my alphabetized pocket envelope, which held the interview questions into the house, although by this time it was 267 unneccessary to use them much. Now, as Mr. R. spied my material, he said, ”What I got ta do, use that stuff and be a monkey for ya?" "I'll bet you mean a guinea pig," I laughed. "No, Mr. R. I'd like to get acquainted with you for one thing. For a long time I've heard that if we wanted someone to really fix a car, that you were the man to get. Tell me, how did you ever learn to be a mechanic?” I had already explained carefully and very simply in my letter about why I wanted to talk to him, so had no compunction about going on.with the interview, although I knew this man did not understand it and never would. I casually laid everything I was holding on the floor. As I did so a small blue pen which was initialed in gold with the letter I'13", and which was a gift from my husband, rolled out on the floor almost at his feet. ”B is for Buhl,” he remarked, and held out his hairy paw while he waited for me to pick it up. Reluctantly, I laid it in his hand and before I could quite escape, his fingers closed over mine, pen.and all. With a deft twist of my wrist, I had freed my hand but could not get the pen which was still in his possession. I reckoned quickly, . that the school bus could.not possibly arrive before five o'clock. Must I spend the time alone with.only poor John to give me protection? It was with relief that I heard the door open. In came the fearfully'dreaded Cracker, but a blowsy, ill-kept woman held his collar and gave him a swift cuff when he growled. I rose and introduced 268 myself, while all she said was, 'Hello.” Without exolanation of where she had been, she sat down in a nearby chair and eyed the blue pen which her husband was twirling in his fingers. "Well Em, the missus here says she'd like ta talk ta all of us, alone. Got time?” Before she could answer he added, “Git goin' then. I'll be first.’ Since Mrs. R. seemed not at all incensed, I thought it best to let matters stand as they were and let her 'git goin' as her husband had ordered, for there was no mistake that it was an order. She left the kitchen and disappeared through a door. I caught a swift glance of an unmade bed before the door was closed. "Now, Mr. R., tell me about where you learned the mechanic trade." I began. Didn't learn it, jus' knew it. my my 01' man always said I could take anythin' apart and put 'er back agin. Couldn't account fer it neither, he always said. Why I usta fix the neighbor's clocks when I was jus' a little shaver. Lived in Milwaukee and that's a place fer ya. Ever been there? Having learned that I had been in that city, he launched into a lengthy explanation of just where he had lived. After shutting off the prolific flow of words, I asked what his father had done in those days. He answered, Best gol damned vat drainer in Milwaukee. I mean he worked in th' brewery on th' east side. Why, he could drink more'n any man there an' go right on workin'. Once't a man could hold his beer and still be on th' job, he was okay. He used ta take me with 'em ‘when.I was big enough an' that was when.my ol' woman got sore an' left. Inquiring what a little boy could have done alone in a big city 269 like Milwaukee and how old he was, he said he guessed he was about six. I then asked him to tell me more about the brewery. He went on. We had a hell of a good time after that. When 'th 01' man wanted ta go on a real toot, he jus' bedded me down at the brewery for th' night. I worked there an' at bein' a mechanic, but I never went ta school only when um 01' man was stone sober. Then I went but I quit fer good when I was twelve, and then I worked all they'd let me. I could fix the clocks for 'em and th' men liked ta see me tinker an' they bought me tools ta tinker with. Then I went ta war. My 01' man popped off when I was fifteen an' I stayed at the brewery on his job, doin' fixin' on the side until I was drafted. It was after that that I got married. ”Tell me how you met Mrs. R. Was it in Milwaukee?" I asked. Naw, I never seen her til' after the war, an' was she a pip th' first time I seen 'er: All dressed in her glad rags an' rarin' ta ga. Yes sir, it was right in St. Louis. My buddy an' I worked across the lake to muskegon an' got laid off fer a little trouble we was mixed up in on th' boat. We was roamin' around and workin' our way 'round on the boat. Didn't care a tinker's damn where we want an' when we hitched a ride an' th' first feller said he was goin' ta St. Louis, we didn't know an' didn't care. Well sir, th' first thing we seen was Em walkin' down th' street an' right then I said to Ben, 'Ben you 01' son-of-a-b..., there's my girl. An' she was too. ”Just like ‘that?’' At my question, he stared at me for a moment and then said, you I wasn't so damned bad lookin', and with soft drinks in the makin' what with prohibition an' all it was no use ta go back to Milwaukee, an' I lad money in the pocket. No siree, not little Buhl, an' when I got ta know Em's ol' woman and got a gander at her cookin', well Ehn and I got married an' damn it all ta hell, I've been stuck around this hell hole ever since. 'I'll bet you were a handsome young fellow, all dressed up when got married,” I ventured. Had th' best damn suit money could buy an' Em had a yellow dress. Looked mighty purty in it too. But hell's bells look at her now. I'll take th' one from town fer me any time. So ya don't think I could git anyone but Em, eh? Don't you ever think it, missus. 270 Last summer, I had one from.town an' th' commandin' officer from Lansing had one too. we was up at Crystal where th' unit was stationed an' I b'long ta the Guard, an' I was drivin' the Commander. He got a quart an' I got a pint an' we had two women from town help us drink it. Bet you'd know 'em, too. Carefully keeping my voice and facial expression under rigid control, I asked whether he got all dressed for the date. "Hell, no, didn't need ta,’ he said with finality, after which he refused to discuss the fantastic sounding date further. ”I usta dress up fer th' ladies," gave me a chance to ask how he dressed when he wanted to look his very best for them. He answered, Hell, I usta wear a pip of a pin striped suit that was blue an' I had a yellow tie that'd knock yer eye out, but I don't go in fer that stuff now. They can take me or leave me. I don't have a nice suit for best anymore even. I've jus' got a pair of striped pants an' a sweater that goes over my head. NOW’What d'ya think of that? It's a pip of a sweater tho, an' when I took En out to the Midway New Years, it got tore, an' new there ain't no green thread ta sew it up with. ”Is your sweater green, then? I might have some green yarn to match. ‘Would you like to let me see the sweater?“ I asked. Mr. R. disappeared into another room and came back bearing a sorry version of a sweater in his hands. It was a bright green, now smudged with soil. On one shoulder was a hole large enough to put my hand through. At my questioning look, he volunteered the information that he guessed he got in a little mix-up out at the Midway, which is a notorious dance hall and beer garden just outside of town. "Em caught me makin' eyes an' she tried ta start something and that's how th' hole come ta be there.” ”And did your wife have a new dress to wear for the party?" I 271 asked. "Who, Em? Sure thing she did. It's right here where ya can see fer yerself, missus.” Before I could question his right to be showing me his wife's dress, he was back with it. What a poor bedraggled dress it was: Clutched in his grimy hand, it hung in dejected folds of cheap looking material in a vivid green. On one shoulder was a frowsy looking cloth flower in yellow with green stem and leaves meant to resemble a rose in bloom. fter I had thanked.Mr. R. for showing me the sweater and dress and telling him most assuredly his sweater must be mended with a yarn that would match, I asked him what other things they did together, other than dance at the Midway. ”Em and me go ta the show an' we go ta th' Midway an' that's all, missus,” he answered. "How about the children, do they go to the show with you?" "Th' kids? They stay turn 'bout with Johnny, all but 'John Bull.’ He's too good ta stay home. All's matter with 'im is he's too damned pure ta take a drink an' by God he can shift fer 'emself.” Having been asked about church, Mr. R. said, Church? Hell, I don't know nothin' about church. Never went. Guess it's okay. Em's ol' woman usta go before she popped off an' Em usta hound at me ta go'but I never did. Guess the kid's have went some. Costs too damn much. 'An' Nancy's too damn high falutin'. Wantin' money for somethin' all th' time. Thinks she should have somethin' besides her mother's dresses, but I say she's th' same build, why not? How about Ruth? Oh Ruth don't want nothin'. 5he's like Johnny, an' a real good kid. I had guessed that 'John Bull' must be the eldest son and I 272 had now learned that he stayed up town, which meant that I could not finish the interviews as I had thought. The time was passing swiftly and it was with relief that 1 heard voices and knew that Nancy and Ruth had come from school. Mrs. R. came out of the bedroom and eyed her husband warily. He lumbered to his feet saying, ”Talk ta the missus all she wants, Em. I'll wait for supper." He then vanished. As Mrs. R. mumbled something about putting on the teakettle, the door Opened and in came two girls looking as unlike as could be possible. Not knowing which was which, I greeted both. The more attractive and older looking of the two girls turned out to be Nancy, fourteen years of age and in the eighth grade. The younger girl Ruth, eleven, was in the 'ungraded room.' Not that Mrs. R. at any time had said the words 'ungraded room,' but when at my question, she said Mrs. C's room, I knew. Indeed, it would have been difficult to have imagined the.child in any other room after looking at her face. It was dull and expressionless until she smiled, and then it looked vacant. She was eleven and Johnny was twelve. Would she too, have to be amt away? At least this child could hear. She went to the corner where John still sat upon his blanket and began to look at a comic book which she had pulled from her sagging pocket. The boy paid no attention to her but snuggled down in his robe and closed his eyes. The older girl still stood near her mother eyeing me with apparent distrust mixed with curiousity. D'he had black eyes, bright as buttons and two long black braids which swung as she walked. Had she been dressed properly, she would have been most 273 attractive. Her face, however, was pale and worried looking. Her mother set her to the task of peeling potatoes for the evening meal and said, “I guess we can talk now if you want. Buhl said he'd wait, tonight.” The dog, Cracker, was at John's side gently pulling the edge of the blanket up over the boy who had gone fast asleep. As I looked increduously at the mother, she nodded and said, "Cracker takes care of him just fine. I don't know what he'll do if John goes away." '18 he going away soon, Mrs. R? He will be well cared for when he goes, I'm sure, and perhaps they might help him hear," I said. Johnny's never heard a sound. It's a good thing they're taking him for his dad don't take to 'im much nor Ruth, neither, but they ain't to blame for th' way they are. I tell him no one's to blame but Buhl R. himself. What can he expect? Drunk as a coot when it happened for both of 'em. All of this time Nancy had stood near enough to hear the conversation as she peeled the potatoes, but her face betrayed no sign of having heard. She left the room for some reason and did not return until her mother called her some time later. As I took stock of Mrs. R's personal attributes, I found that she Ind dark wavy hair, dark eyes, and looked as though she might at one time, have been pretty. Her mouth looked sensual and rather coarse, strands of hair fell over her eyes, her dress was far from immaculate and was open at the throat until it exposed the curve of her breast. She was wearing high spike heeled shoes of a vivid red and her legs were bare. There were two teeth missing in the front of her mouth and when she talked, some darkish stumps were disclosed. It 274 was fairly easy to visualize her as the 'pip of a girl' the young Buhl had found walking down the street so long ago. I tried to picture her in the dress her husband.had shown me and wondered if she could possibly have worn‘the red shoes with it. "I'm so sorry about the children, firs. R., but Nancy must be a comfort to you and Buhl Jr. too. By the way, why does his father call him.'John Bull'? It's just a joke, I suppose." That's no joke. It's just plain cussedness. The kid's got too good fer us out here an} he's on his own. He'll find out, when he gits good and hungry that he'll want some folks. But in the meantime, it's one less to cook for. He left home in October after him and his dad had a fight. He don't like no liquor about an' his dad don't think it's none of his business. ”How do you feel about it, Mrs. R?I I asked. ”It's nobody's business I tell 'im an' if his dad an' me go to th' Midway, it's none of his business.” "Did you learn to dance when you were a girl, Hrs. R? I've never been to the Midway, so perhaps you could tell me what it's like.” Well, you kin dance and take a drink if you've a mind to and it's a decent place when the men remember they have a wife. An! when they don't remember, they have ta have a lesson. Course th' night cop won't allow no fightin' when he's around. I didn't dance when I was a girl except when my mother didn't know it, which was all th' time. She never wanted me to do a thing like that, but she wasn't my own mother an' I never thought she had any right ta tell me what I could do. Now it's different with our kids. They're ourn. ”Did you live with your own mother and father when you were a little girl, Hrs. R?” I asked. I don't know a thing about my own mother and father. I knew Mrs. Barton wasn't my own.mother 'cause she told me so. She allus said that she took me when I was a baby fer th' reason that she was alone in.the world. She was a good woman but I got so I couldn't stand 275 her harpin' and Buhl did, too. Why, she even harped after I was married. Wanted us ta go ta church with 'er, but I'd never go after I got big enough so she couldn't make me. Kaybe I should of, though. I"When you were just a little girl, did you like to go to church with her?" I asked. Oh, I 'spose so. I just don't remember. I just know that nothin' I ever done was right. I liked ta dance and it was wicked. It was pretty tame with just th' two of us an' don't ya think it wasn't, and I wasn't so bad ta look at then. When Buhl come alone, she didn't fuss about 'im like she did th' others, an' even wanted me ta git married. Maybe she was jus' tired of keepin' me. She never bought me another thing after that an' when she died, she left everything she had to a cousin from away somewhere. Buhl said that was gratitude fer ya. ”Did your mother buy your wedding dress for you, Mrs. R.?" No sir. I bought it myself with money I earned workin' in the beanery. I worked in th' beanery after I quit school, until I got married. She'd of made me one, but none of that fer me. Not fer a weddin' dress. She could of thourh, but everything had to be jus' so in order ta please 'er. It mustn't be so snug, it mustn't be this and it mustn't be that. I wanted color with some git to it, but it had ta be a nice quiet navy or brown or gray. I can hear her say it yet. So when I got ta be sixteen I quit th' eighth grade and after that I bought my own. 'Do you still like to buy clothes, Mrs. R.?" "Sure, I like ta when Buhl shells out th' money, an' he likes me ta look nice too," she answered. "It must be fun to buy for the girls too," I venured. ”It don't take much fer th' girls. Nan can wear my clothes and Ruth's teacher sends home enough fer her. Johnny don't take much either, an' don't know the difference, so Buhl an' I buy what we can fer ouselves.‘ Thinking that I had heard the sound of a radio playing, I remarked that I could hear it and asked whether or not the family enjoyed listen- ing to the radio together. Mrs. R. said with pride, "Wouldn't you like 276 to see it? But it's no radio, it's a player.“ I followed her into the room from which her husband had brought the sweater and dress and there in the midst of poverty and siualor stood a modern record player,‘which- must have cost a fair amount of money. "May I see some of your records?" I asked. Every record there was of the 'Cigarette Girl' type. ”We all play it but Johnny, and Johnny don't do nothin'.” It happened to be Ruth, the eleven year old, who was hovered over the instrument at that time. Her hands were grimy, not having been washed since school, her hair straggled over her face and her very rounded shoulders looked positively humped as she fingered and re-fingered the records. "Git away from there now, Ruthie, and let her see. Go set with Johnny." The girl looked at her mother vacantly and then obediently trotted to the corner where the boy, John, was sleeping. 'When we re- turned to the kitchen, she was lying under the blanket with him, there on the floor. Of reading material in that home, I had seen none at all except the comic book the younger girl had taken from her pocket when she had first come from school. Upon questioning, Mrs. R. said, 'we don't none of us read.much only Buhl Jr. and Nan, except the funnies. Nan and Jr. have their heads stuck in a book all the time ‘but their dad's forbid it. They sure have enough other things ta do. Course Junior's not here, but Nan's got lots ta do ta help me nights instid of readin' books. “I suppose Nancy is old enough to take care of her own pressing and mending. Does she help you with taking care of iA‘uth's clothes too?” . . .. .'H ‘.U 1,“ n‘_ \,:s . a . . Q.( a 277 Mrs. R. only looked at me and did not answer. I glanced at the dress she had worn on New Years Eve. and Mrs. R. pointed at it and said, ”That's my dress there.” Becoming enthusiastic about her dress, I remarked that I had one dress I liked better than any other and went into a bit of description. Immediately Mrs. R. said, 'I like another of my dresses better. It's in here. I'll show it ta ya.‘ 'With that she brought from the wall of the bedroom not one, but four cheap looking,frowsy, over dressy unpressed dresses. ,A vivid bright blue, a dusty pink with a lace yolk, a bright yellow and a hard, brilliant red. "The red shoes you are wearing are a nice match for your red dress, Hrs. R., I observed. ”Yeah, and I wear 'em.with my green and my blue too,” she answered. "Can Nancy wear your shoes and hose too, Mrs. R?” She won't do it, but she could wear my shoes. I don't wear nothin' but ankle socks and neither does Nan. She's too stuck up and don't want my things, but it won't git her nowhere. She's a good kid though to stay with Johnny and Ruth sometimes. In fact I think she likes ta have us go up town an' leave her here alone with 'em. She's a funny one. She stays when her dad goes on a little fun an' I go up an"work in the beanery a few days. 'When Buhl's got ta have some drink, he's got ta have some drink an' then Nan can stay with th' kids. Since Mrs. R. referred so freely to her husband's appetite for liquor, I had no compunction about asking whether or not she minded. I don't mind so much only when he eyes some other woman. When he's all right he's awful good an' buys me things, but when he's got too much whiskey in 'im.he don't do nothin' but be ugly or go uptown an' chase some woman. Then I just go an' git a job at the Beanery and git myself somethin' new. He's a corker after womin' when he's drinkin'. 278 Realizing that I must talk to Nancy and wishing that I could see her away from her home, or at least at home when her parents were away, I told Mrs. R. that since it was getting so late, perhaps I had better go and allow them to have their evening meal. I had smelled the potatoes which were cooking and knew that the meal was in prOgress. As I talked, we went back into the kitchen where Nancy had set an oil- cloth covered table with a wierd assortment of chipped dishes. The elder Buhl clamped into the room and giving Nancy a slap on her hip, roared with laughter over some thought of his own. The girl's dark eyes flashed with some emotion and moved swiftly away from him. Before I could say anything at all, Mr. R. was insisting that I remain for 'chow' as he called it, and I was wildly casting about in my mind for a ligitimate excuse. As I looked toward the door for escape there stood Cracker, and that decided me. Overcoming my squemishness, I said I would be glad to stay if it would not inconvenience Mrs. R., who at once sent Nancy scurrying for another plate which, a quick glance assured me, was also chipped. I had a plan in mind which, if it were successful, would give me an opportunity to spend some time alone with Nancy. ”Bless th' potatoes an' bless th' meat an' damn it let's eat,” boomed the head of the family as he helped himself to the dish of boiled potatoes, the 'oley', the boiled beans and the bread. There were no vegetables, but Mrs. R. brought out packaged cookies and a piece of cheese which she cut with her own knife. 279 The boy on the floor roused and was led to the table without the benefit of soap and water. His dull sister sat next to him and didn't say a word throughout the jumbled meal. I sat next to the dark eyed Nancy and at the first op‘ortunity said that I had intended going to the show and asked if they liked Tarzan pictures, as that was what was playing. Immediately, Mrs. R. showed interest and before many minutes, it was evident that the husband and wife would go to the show 'if only they didn't have company.' I made the suggestion that since I had had a chance to visit with every- one but Nancy, I would like to help her with the dishes and talk as we did them, which would leave them free to go and make the seven o'clock ShO'o As soon as the meal was finished, they made off in the rattletrap car which I had seen earlier in the afternoon. Mrs. R. had disappeared in the bedroom but did not change her dress, nor did her husband change his greasy, smelly clothes. He only said, “Come on Em an' we'll have time for a beer first. we kin dress up Saturday night.” As they went out the door with the ugly brute of a dog following, Mr. R. asked, "Want that pen back? I sure could use a pen with a 'B' on it, but here it is,” and tossed it toward me. For once in my life, I caught something, and still maintaining my friendliness, I forced myself to smile and say 'thank you ' for the hospitality. 'Well Nancy, let's get acquainted while we wash these dishes. Do you like to wash or dry best?” I began. 280 I hate both because I have to do it all the time alone, and I'm glad you stayed with me. I didn't want to see that old show and they wouldn't let me anyway. I can't go anywhere until two weeks are over. I had a fight with my father and he won't let me. I don't'want to go with them anyway. Whll Nancy, let's remember that all girls have difficulties some- times. I used to have my father angry at me nearly every day and then when I got a bit older, I found that it wasn't always my father's fault. I think I must have been in tears half the time when I was in the ninth grade. Is that the grade you are in? The dark eyes were exploring mine with a question which seemed difficult to voice. There was no answer to my question and'we went on silently scraping the odd assortment of dishes. Still silent, Nancy got out a bar of fels naptha soap and a battered dish pan. At least there was hot water in the stove reservoir, and with a sudden inspiration, I said, 'I love to make the suds Nancy, may I?‘ I was removing,my rings as I asked the question and went on about the task without waiting for her to answer. 'I wouldn't mind the dishes all the time if I could ever get any money, Mrs. King. Don't you think a girl should have some money? Next year, if I get to be a freshman, I'm going to stay in town and my brother says he will help me find a job.” my question was answered without pressure from.me. Nancy was in the eighth grade. I had known her age, but now she said, I'I'd be in the freshman class now if I hadn't had to stay home so much.” ”Have you been sick a lot, Nancy?I I asked. "No'm, not much but I have to stay with Johnny. Oh, I just with I could be different and stay up town with Buhl. I don't know what I'll do. Oh, my father'll kill 'im if I do. I hate my father!" u'l .1 l } in NI (,r l J u 1»! ' ‘F “\ 281 Soothingly, I asked if she could tell me about it after we had finished the dishes. When that task was comnleted, Nancy said that Johnny must be put to bed and with that she dragged an old single width mattress from beneath the bed in the room where her mother had waited while I had talked to her father. She took it to the corner where the child had been most of the time and tenderly, she got him on the pallet and covered him with a ragged old quilt which came from.the same room. He was still clad in the old bathrobe and still unwashed. When she had finished her task with the boy, she admonished Ruth, who had sat thumbing the soiled comic book, that she must go to bed and that 'Ma said so.’ Mingled with the look of partial idiocy on Ruth's face, there came a look of stubborn sulleness. She would not utter a word but clung to the chair with both hands and her feet. Nancy looked tired and hopeless. "It's like this everytime. She won't mind me and I don't know what to do.” Not having had experience with children like Ruth, I was not at all sure that I could be of help, but going to my purse, where I remembered I had a small package of fruit draps, I took the candies out and held them.toward the child. In that way, Nancy finally got her as far as the bedroom.off the kitchen. ”I just can't make her and when they get home I'll get the blame an' my father will be mad at me all over again." "was that why he has been punishing you, Nancy? If you'd rather “Ot'tell.me, we'll talk about something else.” ‘wo were now back in the 1'00!!! where the record player stood and Nancy was eyeing me with a look 01‘ unfathomable pathos. 282 my father puts his hands where he shouldn't an' I spit on him an' he was half drunk an' he went to the toilet on the only thing I've got to wear that isn't my mother's an' I hate him. You won't tell, will you because if you do it will be awful. He made me talk to my mother and tell her that Ruth or Johnny was to blame. I'm so afraid. ”Can't you tell your brother about this Nancy?" I asked. Her eyes were full of fear as she answered, ”He'd kill my brother if he knew I'd told an' he might kill you too. You won't tell?" Assuring her that I would forget all about it, I asked why he had chosen that partic lar garment to spoil. He knew it's the only thing I like, that's why and he did it to be mean. my brother got me that dress last summer an' it made my father mad at him then. Do you think I could get a job before I'm.eighteen and not be here anymore? If I could look like the others at school I wouldn't. Buhl says th' high school kids are nice to him and that they'll be nice to me too. I don't know only two or three new and they're nice enough. "Do you have a special chum at school, Nancy?" Just some of the girls that I think are nice and not stuck up, but I guess they're not chums, but there's one girl and I read with in the library. we don't talk much but I like her and I think she's as old as I am, so I like her. She told me one day that her folks were kind of funny. Don't you think my folks ought to take care of Johnny and Ruth better than they do? I don'tthink they ought to do the things they do and Buhl almost died when he found out about the fight they had on New Years out at the Midway. The drunk's ball, I called it. Buhl told me he was going to get me out of here but I don't see how. I love Buhl better'n anything in the world. He'd buy me lots if he could but it's all he can do to stay in school. Buhl's smart you know. When questioned in regard to her clothing, Nancy said, I'm.not supposed to need or want any clothes. My folks say that my mother's clothes fit me so why shouldn't I wear them, but ‘What's the use? Buhl says it's all wrong and he knows, but I can stand it if I can be with him.this winter. Do you think this dress looks right? Nancy's dress looked all wrong for it was of rose colored crepe 283 with puff-sleeves. It was too large in the waist and across the shoulders. It had been.washed and seemed clean except for a few spots, but it was far from.suitable for a girl of fourteen. Before I was forced to answer her question, she said, You know why my mother wants to look nice? It's because she don't want my father liking other women. If I go with Buhl, they'll have to stay home with Johnny and Ruth an' I hope they do, only I don't think Johnny'll be here but Ruth will and I'm not going to be stuck with her all my life. After the child had quieted a little and sat staring at the floor, I suggested that she might learn to make ome of her mother's dresses over and in that way like them better, or, ask her mother to do it for her. maybe I'll learn someday, but my mother is too lazy and all she'll do is work in the old Beanery an' leave me here to stay with Johnny. I know how I can get some money for some clothes of my own, but I won't do it. I'm not half foolish. Mrs. King, if a man tried to do bad things with a girl, couldn't he be put in jail? Because if he could, then Buhl'll put him in when I tell 'im, but I can't tell. I must have looked considerably worried for she said, "Don't you worry, I can take care of myself for a while longer an' don't you tell anything I've told you, will you?” Solemnly, I gave my promise and asked what they had done for Christmas. well, it wasnlt much fun but it was better'n.most of the other days I guess. At least it was until my father got mad at Buhl and Buhl went back to town. my folks and Ruth and I went to the show in the afternoon and Cracker stayed with Johnny. I got some saddle shoes but I didn't get any clothes. my father didn't drink anything that day and we had the record player. I'Do you have some friends among the boys that you like, Nancy?” Boys are all right I guess if they could be like Buhl, but if they are like my father is, then I hate 'em. I'm.not going to have any boys or girls come out here. I'd be too embarrassed and besides, 284 not any want to yet. Next year it'll be different, maybe. Yes, I take care of my own clothes, what they're taken care of anyway. my mother washes sometimes and Mrs. G., where Buhl stays, helps me sometimes when something is too long. She says she always wanted a girl and she'd like to have me live with her. I don't have too much time to go there though. Only nights when the bus don't go until late after a game and that was only when the boys played football. I think my mother ought to help me with my clothes and I ought to have some of my own and not hers, but I'll have to wait for Buhl to earn some money and I get a job of my own. I try not to aue'but I guess I do or I wouldn't talk about it. But I'll show people yet that I'm not like my folks. Mrs. G. said so too, and that's what my brother is doing. I'm never going to be any- thing like my folks are. Asked if she used cosmetics, Nancy said, N'm, but my mother does and I don't like it on her. The powder is all right but lipstick is awful the way she puts it on. Buhl says I ought to ask Mrs. G. about some things she puts on that he thinks I don't know, but I guess I know all right. I'd like to smell nice under my arms, but I never had anything to put on. ‘Would that make my dresses smell better? Gently, I suggested that she ask Mrs. G's help in solving the problem.and that if she were very careful with any money her brother gave her, it would not take long to save enough to buy a deoderant. Asked about church and other social activities, l"ancy said, I don't go to church muchly. It's too far to walk and it's no fun to drag Ruth along. The way she looks is worse than me. I don't know whether I like church and Sunday School or not. I probably would but I don't want people feeling sorry for us any more'n Buhl does. we just go to school and home and to the show sometimes, mostly. my pick of the girls in the movies? I don't know; I'd like to read at home when I have to stay, but my folks won't let me. I do it all the time I can at school though. I like Little'Wbmen. I don't know much about the different magazines an' I hate the dirty old funny books. They're all Ruth knows enough to look at and she can't read them.only a little bit. Oh, it's easy to tell who I like best in the people I know. I like Mrs. G. and at school I like everyone all right I guess, only I don't want them.feeling sorry for me an' next year they won't. It's easy to tell you what I like at home best of all. Just 285 nothing at all. I hate it but I don't tell them and you won't, WIII'yBu? Is it awful to hate? Do you have to go now? Couldn't you stay until they come? If you see Buhl will you keep your promise not to tell what I told you? Assuring the forlorn little girl over and over that her secrets were entirely safe and that I would tell no one unless she gave me per- mission, I asked her to take me out to my car because I was afraid of Cracker, but would feel safe if she were with me. much as I wanted to get out into the fresh air and home, I really disliked leaving Nancy with her fears and unhappiness. She had told me where to find her brother and I decided to call and see if I could persuade the lad to see me on the following evening. Although I failed to see Buhl Jr. that evening, I did make the contact with Mrs. G. who said that he was at the ”News” setting type but that she would talk to him and call me. At nine-thirty the call came saying that if I'd care to call 'right after supper' the next night, I could see him. ”And,’ warned Mrs. G., he'll need to get at his studying soons you leave.’' Promptly at seven o'clock on the following evening, the call 'was made at mrs. G's on Bankson St. to see Buhl. He entered the small den,where I was seated, rather shyly and his face colored.as he asked if I wanted to see him. It was rather difficult to put him at ease lnrt at length, after a bit of talking about various things, I told him that I had visited his home and why I had done so. I told him.too, that I could not leave him out and asked him to be very kind and talk to me for a while. 286 As I watched his face, I could see the color come and go and at length he said, ”Gee, I was sure you were another welfare worker and I didn't want to see you. 'What kind of work did you say it is?” After more explanation, the black eyes, which looked so much like his sister's, looked brighter and more interested. Before the first question could be asked of the boy, he looked at me in a quizical manner and said, ”What did my dad say to you about me?‘ Before the answer was given, there came the question, ”Did you see my sister, too?” Since he had two sisters, I was curious to know which he meant and said, 'Yes, Buhl, I saw both of your sisters.” Again his face flushed as he said, ”I meant Nancy. b‘he's the only one that matters at home because I can't help the others any. I kind of wish you hadn't gone out to see my folks.” After I had assured him that I thought he was doing a fine thing to be so nice to his little sister and that she seemed to love him very much and to be in need of his help, he seemed to look more adult. His shoulders straightened unconsciously and the corners of his mouth drew into a firm, hard line. I had not meant to try to draw the boy out so soon in regard to the heart breaking home problems, but since he was so sensitive in regard to my having seen his home and his family and had asked what his father said about him, I swiftly decided to take advantage of the opening. Please don't be sorry that I know about Johnny and Ruth, Buhl. None of us can help such things. I am very sorry, too, that you are not happy with your father, but I am.sure that you are doing 287 right to be in school and stay in town. I am not a welfare worker and can't be of much help I'm afraid, unless it will help to tell me about it. I waited while a frown creased his brow. He cleared his throat, shifted his feet and finally blurted out thatmaybe we had better get the questions that I wanted to ask him.over with first. Instantly, I agreed being sure that my questions would bring out some of the story. 'Well, I'm.not a member of any family group Mrs. King, but it won't take me long to tell you what I think about the family income. My dad gets a lot of money in a year and they spend it all on stuff to drink and gad around on. If you hadn't been out there, I wouldn't tell you that. Look at all of them. I'm getting Nancy out of there soon as I get through school. ’You may need the help of the welfare worker to do that, Buhl,” I suggested quietly. "What do you have against them anyway?” After a few moments he answered, Oh, I don't know. Nothing much except I don't want welfare, and I want to be left alone. But I guess they have to make sure I'm all right. 'Would they help me get Nancy away from.home? I worry about her. Did she talk to you very much? Mrs. G. says she'll help me with her when June comes. She sure is a peach. When I get to earning enough money for Nancy and me both, I'm going to share it with her, but I'll never give my folks any money I earn. I earn enough at the 'News' to buy my clothes and my school things. I couldn't buy Nancy's clothes and school things now, but I can next year and Mrs. G. says she can work here for her board like I do, and that I can keep my room.if I want to so I can be with her. When asked about shopping for his clothes, Buhl said, Sure, I like to buy my clothes, only I keep wishing that Nancy could have some too. And it's not but once in.a while that I can get her anything, but I got her one dress. I like Mrs. G's opinion on clothes because she knows and I don't. Nancy wouldn't either but she can learn. Nancy's smart, Mrs. King, and we'll get along. my mother and father wouldn't know about clothes. Look at my mother. She looks like something she... oh well, she just don't 288 look right, but I don't suppose she can help it much. Yes I'm ashamed of all of 'em but Nancy, and next year she's going to look better. Look at my dad, all grease and dirt and mouth and meaness. And if he had some clothes he wouldn't take care of anything and they would have to be a lot of loud colors. I saw the boy glance at the clock on the desk near where I was sitting and felt guilty when I remembered that mrs. G. had said he must get at his studies early in the evening. wanting very much to introduce the topic of cosmetics etc., I said that I supposed that Nancy was right at the age where she would like to have powder, lipstick and nail polish. I was surprised at the vehemence with which Buhl said, "After the way my mother looks? Hardly: There's just one thing she needs and that's some of that stuff Mrs. G. says people can put on their hands and feet to stop the sweating.“ Sensing his embarrassment after he had said it, I changed the subject by asking if he found much time for dating. The young face underwent a change at the question and turned a beet red as he said, 'I have a date once in a while but... well I guess not much.” With this statement he seemed so determined to shut up like a so-called clam, that it was with difficulty that he was persuaded to talk freely again. At last I said, ”I suppose it is difficult Buhl, to go to school, work nights and Saturdays and have much time for girls, but I'm.sure a boy like you must have lots of friends among the bqys and girls at school.” ”Sure friends. But friends don't mean dates. Mrs. King, would you let your girl have a date with me?‘ After I had explained that Kathleen was too young to have dates with senior boys, he 289 persisted, But what would you do if I happened to be a freshman or if she happened to be a senior? I can just hear a girls Mother say, 'Did you know that his father is Buhl R., the mechanic? And that he has a sister and brother at home that aren't bright and that his mother is that woman that got in a fight?’ The boy was staring straight ahead and his hands were tense. I told him that he must keep on in such a manner as to make everyone forget the unhappy things and remember only the good that he was making of himself. After that he seemed to relax and said that he didn't have time anyway, but that he'd try it. "I just go along with the gang, mostly, you know.” Mrs. G. had told Buhl he might use the den as long as he liked, but she opened the door to tell him it was getting nearly time to do his studying. ”He works so hard so much of the time that I try to get him.to bed, Mrs. King,” she apologized. I'It must be a big help for you tohave him.with you, Mrs. G. How were you ever lucky enough to get a boy? I'd like to know how you managed it,” I said. Mrs. G. took up five precious minutes telling me the circumstances of how the boy happened to be there. Mr. G. hired Buhl to shovel snow once and he said he was the only boy he ever had that was worth paying. So when he came and wanted a room we fixed it up. Without Buhl having observed it, Mrs. G. shook her head as though to say she could tell much more if given the chance. ”He's no trouble at all and helps us 290 so much.n "I suaoose he sews on all of his own buttons, Mrs. G?” With a grin, Buhl said, "That's in our deal bout the buttons." Mrs. G. then said that while he couldn't seem to sew on a button that he was learn- ing how to press his pants. "I don't have a suit, Mrs. King, but I will have one when I graduate if I can get it, and I want navy blue because everyone can wear a navy blue suit can't they?" Thus appealed to, I indicated that his taste was good and asked what other things he would have to buy before he graduated. "I thought it was only the girls who had to fuss about things for graduation," I remarked. "If I go on the senior trip, I'll have to buy a hat, some shirts, some ties and some shoes. I'd have to have the shoes anyway though. I'll have to get a lot of things so maybe I won't go, because I want to bring Nancy in June." When asked how he would classify himself in appearance in comparison with his friends, he said, I imagine I look about like the other fellows. we all dress about the same only some of the fellows wear suits on Sunday. I used to have to wear old clothes that someone gave me, just as they were. That's just what Nancy has to do, but it won't be long. She will be just as nice looking as the rest of the girls when she's fixed up. In regard to social activities, Buhl said, I dance a little but not much. I get kind of sick of it when I hear my folks talk, but I think it's fun. No, none of us fellows dress up for the dances. Just sweaters. The fellows were their suits for the Senior Prom.though, I guess...I didn't go so I'm not 291 sure, but I hope I can go next year and take Nancy to some of the school dances. I like shows well enough and I like the movie stars all about the same, I guess. The thing that I don't like about movies is that my folks would have to go even if someone was dying. I'd rather read the Science Magazine I think, and I like to do some of the cxperimentsfiin them. I Iike the National Geographic and the American magazines too. I like them because they are interestinghand because I can find some things for school reports in them. Mr. E. is always giving us reports to do. “Mr. E. is quite popular at school, isn't he Buhl?“ 'He may be popular but Mrs. C. is the best one. A fellow can get something out of listening to her,“ he answered. ”Do you go to the same church she does, Buhl?" No, I only go to church when Mrs. G. gets me to. I've only gone once. Maybe I'll go again. Mrs. G. is t0ps but I work most every Sunday and couldn't go anyway. I bought Mrs. G. a scarf for her to wear on her head to church. I got it for her for her birthday. I got her a book for Christmas. "What do you like to get for Christmas and birthdays, Buhl?" He thought for a moment and answered, ”I like ties and books best of all.‘ Knowing that the boy should be doing his school work, I thanked him.and said goodnight, marveling that he had grown to be such a fine boy. CASE STUDY 8 III DUS TRY THE S---FaMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE FORTY THE NOTHER, AGE THIRTY-NINE TWO MARRIED DAUGHTERS, AGES NINJTEEN aHD TWENTY GTLE'I‘A, AGE SZZVZIKJTEEN PEGGY, AGE FIFTEEN GLORIA, AGE THIRTEEN NICE‘A 1L, AGE FTLINLN JOY, AGE EIGHT MONTHS The S. home seems typical of many small town homes on the outside. It has been re-modeled various and sundry times, and from all indications, the last job was not quite finished. The black tar paper was still nailed loosely over the latest extension and flopping in the February wind on the day of the first, preliminary call. There is no telephone. The electric light wires showed that there was current being carried into the house. An old steam radiator was prominent in the front yard, where it waited for action on the part of someone. From the very way the house sprawled, it was efident that it had been enlarged from time to time and no one part seemed co-ordinated with another. A modish front entrance greeted me as I walked up the broken steps. A storm entrance enclosed the front and when it was Opened, an odor of many perfumes met me. Chief among the smells was cabbage and drying diapers. There must 'have been a furnace for there was a register, and near this stood 293 the clothes rack. I reiterate that it is amazing what the human eye can see in a fleeting moment. After nw errand had been stated, I stood trying to overcome the odiferous atmosphere in which I found myself. Mrs. 3., an over- weight, rather pretty woman, except for her very bad teeth, smiled companionably and said, 'Why, you are welcome to stay right now if you want to. Mahlin is home today with a lame back. Of course, the kids ain't here, but they'll come by four o'clock.' I hadn't the slightest desire to stay then, and had not expected to. However, Mrs. S. seemed alone at the moment and I decided that I had better take advantage of the opportmity to see her alone. ”Joy is asleep with Mahlin, and we can set right here and talk,' she said. After the usual background questions, Mrs. 8. said, I"Who's going to know about what I say?" I gave her all kinds of assurance that her name would never be connected in any way with the interview. I told her that some parts of her story might be in print, but that if so, it still would not be connected with her or her family. '_'No one but you and I, Mrs. 8., and I'm sure that you need not worry. I will not even use your first names if you ask me not to.” “I've got feelings, Mrs. King, but I'd like to help you. I've got some shame that some people around here must know, but I wouldn't Want any stranger to know, but if you say you won't use our name. I'll tell you some of the things.” At last, her apprehension was overcome. I had encountered it in 294 other people interviewed, but not to this extent. Human beings are a secretive lot, I decided, and suddenly I put myself in this woman's place and knew all at once just how she felt. Actually, I had not indicated that I wished her to tell me anything 'shameful', but whatever it was must have bothered her a great deal for her to mention it when it was not at all necessary. 'Tell me anything you wish, Mrs. S., but first of all, suppose you start by telling me where you were born and where you lived when you were a little girl, and all of the things you remember about your childhood. Those things won't bother you at all, I'm sure.“ I was born in a tenant house and my father worked for the man on the farm. That was near Alma and I don't lmow how long we lived there. I knew the house wasn't much good and my sisters and 1w brother usta lay in bed all covered up to keep us warn and in the winter th' snow would drift in the upstairs. I had two sisters and one brother. Now I've only got myself. w one sister died of cancer and my brother and other sister was sent to live in a hone an' I've only seen my sister once in about fifteen years and I don't know anything about my brother. My sister lives in Oregon now. I can't remember much about when we was little, but I know we had ta hoe beans and thistles and we got our feet pricked, and I got a stone bruise once and a corn stalk run through my foot once. The scar's there on top of w foot now, and if I don't wear my socks, it shows. llrs. S's legs were covered with tan cotton hose and anklets were pulled on over them. I think Ma said I was seven when we went to town. Pa drank, you see, and the man on th' far- wouldn't let them stay. la couldn't take care'of all us kids so she kept Violet an' me an' let th' others go. She musta kept me to take care of Violet. She was sick all th' time and we had a room an' Ma worked at the pickle . plant. Vi and ne usta get scared in th' room but Mrs. Mack usta let us come downstairs and look at her telescope pictures. When Vi got so awful sick, Ma had to stay home an' th' welfare had to help. They took her to th' hospital an' she died an' she was 295 buried in w dress. Ma said it was one thing she'd earned an' wasn't beholdin' to any one for. No, I didn't care only I needed it to go ta school in. Pa never helped us any after we went t3 tone There was a pause in the recital before she became conscious of my question, "How did you manage without the dress?” Her face colored and I thought I must have offended her. She looked at her hands, out of the window, and back at me. That has ta do with what I don't like ta think about. You see, I've always been poor and I don't mind bein' helped when it's needed but we've got morals an' we believe in bein' decent. We've raised our girls ta be good. They don't go out with boys 'till they're old enough an' that's eighteen, and they don't drink or smoke or use slang. We're sendin' em all through high school an' that's a lot mor'n either of us ever got. Th' girls are all good. Why June got a :job at th' Roller Mills typin' before she got married last fall. Greta'll get one too, I hope. What all of this had to do with how Mrs. S. had managed with- out the dress her sister was buried in, was a conundrum. However, I said nothing but waited for her to go on with her story. We've had a tough time sometimes. It takes a lot ta feed and dress so many of us an' in the depression we had to have help and we get lots of things gave to us fer th' girls ta wear, but we never yet got anything by bein' bad. Again she paused and sat silent. I was beginning to see what she was trying to tall or avoid telling. I was not sure which she had in mind but knew that I must help her get it said if I wished to know. Mrs. B., I am sure that you are a good moral family and no one is going to say that you are not. What people do can cause you to feel badly but it cannot make others think that you are bad. Can you tell me how you managed without the dress which you were kind enough to give to your little sister when she needed it? 296 That's just it and I guess I'll tell you. I never had to manage to do without it. I got a lot of dresses an' things‘after that an' I didn't know what it meant until I was quite a‘girl. I knew Ma and' I had more Of everything an' I had things ta wear an' she did, but I never knew how she done it 'til the kids at school begun ta say 'Ya Ya, Jennie's got a new one, Jennie's got a new one: When I'd wear something new ta school they'd say that and I never knew what they was gettin' at until one day when I said what business was it of theirs anyway. My mother'd paid for it and it hadn't cost them nothin'. I found out then what they was sayin' about Ma an' I watched an' it was true that she was goin' out with men an' I found out a lot of things. I was in th' seventh grade an' she left an' went away with one of 'em. I went out to work in th' country near where Mahlin lived out north and east of town at Sharr's an' I stayed there a long time. That's how I met Mahlin. His folks lived on the next farm an' when I was seventeen and he was eighteen we got married. His folks farmed and painted and they helped us buy this an' some way we've kept it.‘ It's mortgaged though, but th' girls plan ta help pay that off. They've been real good about helpin'. “Are your mother and father still living, Mrs. S?” I asked. No one knows about’Pa. He bothered Ma for along time an' then never come anymore. Ma“ is livin' somewhere near Shepherd with a man she keeps house for, but they don't come near us. She tried once but we don't have anything ta do with her, an' our girls know there's somethin' wrong but they only know part of the truth. I don't think it pays ta tell girls everything like that. They know th' man‘she's with ain't their grandfather an' they don't ever ask about her anymore, so it's just not mentioned. 'Do you and your family attend any church, Mrs. S.‘!" Not anymore we don't, but we believe in religion. We joined the Methodist Church quite a spell ago and Mahlin give up his tobacco and all his bad habits and he got so wrapped up‘ in it that he got sick over it an' we had to quit. Three years ago we went to the Baptist Church an' the same thing happened and when we went ta ' th' revivals, Mahlin'd cry and take on. Dr. Hobbs said not'ta go to any church, that Mahlin's mind couldn't stand the strain. Them Baptist's kept right after us though. One of the Baptist women, Pearl lheeler, got ta writin' him letters about th' Bible an' Church, an' he got so upset that finally when th' letter‘s would some I'd open them an' never give them ta him. One day I went an' 'told her to never write him another letter about religion. He's all right now that she's stopped tryin' to save him. We just have ta stay right away from church because of 297 Mahlin. I even put th' Bible away so he wouldn't read it an' we don't mention it to him. You won't will you?’ She asked this anxiously and I soothed her worry and asked how they planned the spending of their income. Well, Mahlin works what he can. Right now he's workin' at the garage at Hathaway's place. He takes a car that's got ta be fixed an' takes it in ta the garage an' he washes cars too. Hahlin's a real good paper hanger and painter an' he can plaster. He does all our fixin' so it never costs us much. He makes trailer houses, too. He worked at a private trailer place until they couldn't pay him on time an' he had ta quit. We can't wait for money with so many ta feed. We just spend what we have ta an' hope it'll go 'round. Greta earns all her school money doin' house work nights after school an' Saturdays. She paid for her Senior pictures an' she buys her shoes an things like that. I got a coat given me this winter an' I sew an' make over sue of th' things that people give us. It would be nice if I could get me a machine. I picked up how ta sew before I was married from Mrs. Scharr an' while I don't know too much, I can fix things. So you see we don't have a plan but we get along. The walls of the living room seemed to be papered nicely with a bright flowered paper. I had noticed a piano in the room. True, it was old and battered looking but nevertheless it was a piano. The davenport was so delapidated that it was pitiful and the floor was bare. Mrs. 8. saw me glance at the piano for she said, Bev took a few lessons. She's real musical an' can play any- thing by ear. Mahlin's folks give us th' piano when we was first married. They had it on th' farm. We'd like ta have a radio, but we don't. We had ta have a car so Mahlin could drive ta work an' anyway we have ta have one when we go cherry pickin in the sumer. We go to Traverse every summer an' pick. Two years ago, I had hmorrhages up there an' they had ta take me ta the ‘ hospital. There was blood all over the trailer an' the blankets. The doctor said then that I'd never get any more babies, but now we've got Joy. We all spoil her. ”I suppose a new baby meant new clothes, Mrs. 8. Did you sew for her?“ I asked. 298 Oh, June and Bev._ got her things an' they've lasted up til' now. I don't know as 1‘ could make anything for a baby. I made a dress for wself before she came though, an' I can still wear it, I got so heavy. I’lhat are some of the things you all do together for amuse- ment, Mrs. 8.?” The summer when we go ta Traverse is our vacation. We take th' trailer and drive along slow an' stop and camp an' th' kids go swimnin' an' lhhlin an' th' girls fish. Mickey don't like ta fiahe H6 plays “'th th' dog in th' “tor “'eeeeeee. She stopped talking for her husband came into the room carry- ing a very pretty, plump, blue eyed, curly headed baby. He was rubb- ing sleep from his eyes with one hand and holding the baby with the other. She looked rosy and warm from her nap. The mother rose and took the child from his arms and asked to be excused. Her husband mumbled something and followed her into the next room. When they returned, Mrs. 8. said she had explained things to her husband and he was willing to be interviewed, too. Both of them sat down and since I was so nearly finished with Mrs. ‘S., I decided to include the husband, unless he would sit silently by. But he settled it by say- ing, ”I've got to go to town for some screws, Jennie. Should I go now or wait” She looked at me and I indicated that it would be fine for him to go and he left in the old car I had seen in the yard, leaving me free to finish the interview I had started. I prompted her thoughts and she continued, Well, we don't do much else. Th' kids play ball an' slide on th' ice an' go ta school. They one home on time an' get their work done an' we go to bed early. We don't believe in shows and dances and plays at school. 299 ”How does the new look in clothes affect your family, Mrs. S.‘!" It's affecting Peggy more'n anyone else I guess. She spent some of her money for a long skirt. One of them ballerinas an' a blouse with a round neck an' a ruffle. The money each one earns in pickin' lugs of cherries they can have an' that's their money for th' school year. Everyone but Mickey an' Gloria can spend their own an' we keep theirs for 'em an' get what they need as they need it. Greta ain't had anythin' with th' new look as far as I know except her gray coat she bought this winter with her money. She needs things th' other's don't need an' we tell Pegg her turn's comin'. Peggy's in the ninth grade. Gloria don't care much for anythin' but bein dressed like Mickey an' Mickey's th' only one we don't git things give us for. ”Does it cost you more to dress Mickey then," I asked. For that reason, it does. I guess if we'd count what Greta earns an' uses for herself it would count up to more than his. Mahlin had a nice suit and this winter, he's got a real nice tannish colored overcoat that Mr. Bamber give him. His folks could give us things but they don't, an' we don't bother them. They keep their distance an' we keep ours. 'What colors do you enjoy most Mrs. 8.” After a moment of thought she answered, 'I wouldn't know unless it's blue, but we like all colors far's I know. I do think black ought ta be used for mournin' though.‘ What do I think of slacks and jeans? They're O.K. I guess. I never thought much about it. Don't you like them?‘ At any silence she continued, I've got some slacks I wear campin' or when it's cold. I tell th' girls they'd ought ta keep their legs warm, but they just wear anklets. Silk stockin's cost too much for us an that's something people don't give away either. Greta got me a pair for Christmas but I ain't wore 'em yet. We had a lot of fun with Mickey on Christmas an' an' we told him if the lights went out on the tree, he wouldn't get any present. He kept 'em burning just fine. I don't know as you can get him ta talk ta 300 you. He's awful shy an' bashml. He got a plaid shirt for Christmas an' maybe if you mention that you can get him ta talk. He liked it awful well. June and Bev got it for him, an' all the girls things ta wear an' they got Mahlin an' me some dishes. You asked Hickey what he got for Christmas an' maybe he'll talk ta you. Mrs. S. had been jiggling the baby on her knee and now, as Mr. S. returned with a small package in his hand, said, "Mahlin, when Mrs. King is ready for you, can you hold Joy an' I'll go ta th' store. I'll be right back an' I guess I'll bake a johnny cake for supper. The kids will be here pretty quick.” I told them I was ready to talk to Mr. S. and his wife shifted baby Joy to his lap. She was certainly a good baby and did not look mall-nourished. I explained to Mr. S. as carefully as I had explained to his wife why I was there. He looked at me and said, I'Sure, I understand an' I'd just as lieve be interviewed as not. I s'pose Jennie's told you most you want ta know, but I'll be pleased to tell you the rest.“ "Your wife has told me nothing about when you were a little boy, or where you were born or anything like that," I assured him. Well, Jennie could have told ya that I was born right out north and east of town on th' farm an' I lived there til' I was married to her an' ever since then we've lived right here in this house. I wasn't much of a farmer, but my dad wasn't either an' he painted more than he farmed an' I always helped him paint when I was little. My mother never'painted, but she worked in her garden an' cooked th' meals. We usta let th' fields grow up to alfalfa so Dad could paint an' he made more money that way than farmin'. He's older now an' rents the farm an' lives in town. I don't have much memory of when I was little except about them things. I went ta school right down the road a mile an' that's 'bout all. I tell you we had it easy in them days compared ta what we got it now, but I wouldn't trade. He siree, I wouldn't. Why all we had to do ta keep warm was ta put some wood in th' stove an' new we got ta my coal. I was out of 301 school a lot with the ear ache an' I remember settin' behind that stove keepin' my ear warm. in mother kept a old stockin' cap on aw head ta keep it warm, too. We usta go in the buggy or sleigh an' new we got to have gas. It's a different time all right, but I always say th' Lord will provide a way. Look at us with our family. I think th' Lord wanted to send us Joy so we wouldn't be lonesome in our old age. ”Had you no brothers or sisters, Mr. S?” I was the only one an' I guess that's why my folks think I've got a big family. I tell 'em it's the Lord's will that we have '01 an' they don't say much anymore. But I like children around me an' I always say that when we are old they can help us. Ie've raised 'em right, Jennie an' I, an' they'll look out for us. ”When you were a boy, what did you want to be when you grew up, Ir. S.‘!” ”A painter,” he answered promptly, ”but I get tired of paintin' an' like to do a few other things. I don't like ta be tied down to one thing all th' time.” ”You must have to have a lot of different clothes to do so many different jobs, llr. 8., or can you use the same ones to paint in that you use for other work?” At th' garage where I am right now, I use over-alls, but when I paint or hang paper, I use my white cover-alls. Hr. Waggoner let me have one of his outfits a long time ago an' they last, you know. Oh, clothes don't bother me much. We get a lot give to us an' that helps when you've got a big family, you know. I persisted in returning his thought to his boyhood and thought that the use of a special outfit for painting might recall something from the past. I failed, however to get more than, ”No, I don't remember anything else.” This man, who had the ability to paint, hang paper and plaster Wills as well as do sundry other jobs was what I believed to be rather 302 a high class moron. Since his wife had especially asked me not to mention religion in any way, I had avoided it, but could see from what he had said when referring to the Lord, that there was religion in his life. If I kept my promise to Mrs. S., I must not try to get him to answer any question that would bring it to light. I sat pondering for a moment, and wrestling with temptation. I wanted very much to break the promise. I had asked him whether or not his mother sewed for him, but he could not remember. I had questioned him in various ways, but had gotten nowhere other than as quoted before. I decided rather than to hear him say again that he did not remember, I would go on differently. Suppose you think for a moment and then tell me anything you can remember about your boyhood or your manhood that has any- thing to do with clothing in any way. Take your time to think, and take as long as you wish to tell me. I shifted 1w position to a more comfortable one and wished for fresh air. Baby Joy had been put in her little make-shift play pen where she lay staring solemnly. She had not cried since I had been there. At last he said, My folks didn't want me ta marry Jennie, but I liked her the first time I seen her. I an' my dad was at Scharr's helpin' with the wood busters an' Jennie was there helpin' with th' dinner when I went in at noon. She looked pretty as a picture in her blue dress with her black hair an' I decided she was my _ girl. I never had a girl before that. Th' girls at school always called me ”Stockin' cap Stahl” because I had ta wear that cap over w bad ear. Jennie an' I got along jist fine after that an' we got married when I was eighteen. I guess it was Jennie's blue dress that got me. Anyway I still like her to have somethin' blue sometimes. Course she looks different now, than a that I u' I Instr words if yo never shave Imted id myseli '9 mostl; filth" thou ght Sunday . __— __—- . Id: peo; a go 1 303 than she did then. Jennie manages cverythin' an' I don't know what I'd do without her. She won't let me go ta church anymore an' I can't see why, but she says God will understand. my folks was wicked new when I stop ta think about it. My dad says cuss words an' I used ta do it too. I don't anymore. I believe that if you pray you get an answer, an' I pray for my folks. They never raised.me to go ta church, but I belong now, an' I don't shave on Sunday or anything like that. I wanted to shout at the idea of not shaving on Sunday, but restrain- ed myself'without even a ghost of a smile. ”Do you dress up on Sunday?” I prompted. ”Sometimes I do, but we mostly set in th' yard in the summer on Sundays an' in the house in th"winter so it don't matter so much.” I could not resist the thought that the Lord must like an unshaven, un-dressed-up man on Sunday. I don't have ta dress up much an"when I do I have my blue suit. You know, that Hr. Bamber is a nice man. There's lots of nice people 'round. Mebby they ain't always just‘what we'd like ta go back an' forth with, but they're good. ”Do you read with your family, Mr. 8.?” I did 'till Jennie put th' Bible away. She's goin' to get it out again though. I get lonesome for it an' it gives me somethin' ta think about when I'm workin'. I was sick once a couple years back an' Jennie put it away. The girls read though, an' they bring books home from school. Glory brings some funny books she's borrowed an' Jennie an' I look at 'em. 'We don't have much time for readin'. Jennie don't even have time ta go down town much. 'wo send for everythin"we can from.Spiegel's. They've get almost everything ya know. You know how it is. 'wo can get it cheaper, too, an' it looks just as good I'll bet as other's that get from th' stores here. Here's the kids now. Do you want them to come in here? Careful Mickey, don't leave that air blowin' on Joy. Into the house trouped four children, none of whom said a word. ‘_rose to the occasion and after greeting them helped their mother, 304 who had come into the room, to explain my errand. Greta, the eldest, said, ”I'm on w way to work, but maybe I could do it some other time for you.” It was arranged that she would see me later that evening, as I wished to finish interviewing the entire family on the same day. Mickey, the boy, said not a word but shook his head and almost ran from the room. I nodded in understanding to his mother and resolved to try my charms on him later. Peggy, the fifteen year old, and Gloria, the twelve year old said nothing. ”Will you be first, Peggy, since you are the oldest?” I asked, and she nodded her head and said shyly, ”I don't care.” Mr. S. went back to his bed to rest the lame back, and Gloria bundled the baby into an old carriage to 'give her some air', as the mother had said. Peggy sat chewing at a finger nail and looking at me rather apprehensively. ”Peggy, will you tell me what you think about the way the money all of you earn is divided up in the family? Is it fair and do you get what you think is your share to spend?” I asked. The girl looked at me in almost a stupid manner. Finally she answered, I don't know anything about it except our cherry money that we earn picking cherries in the sumer, and that's our for spend- ' ing money for our paper and things for school, and some clothes, but we don't have to buy much. The money Daddy earns, I don't know anything about. Mamma takes care of all that. ”Do you like to buy your own clothes, Peggy?” I've only bought m skirt and blouse June helped me when she was here. I get lots of clothes that I don't have to buy much. and I sent away for that. She's my sister that's married. 305 mamma fixes over for me and I can't see any sense in spending my money. It wouldn't go very far, but I do like my skirt and blouse. ”Whose opinion do you value most about the way you look, Peggy? Your girl or boy friends, or your parents or someone else?” ”I don't like boys,” she answered quickly, ”and I don't know very many girls very well. I don't know the answer to that question. I guess I don't care very much.what any of them.thinks.” ”Show me how you think you look in comparison with the other girls you know.” She gave me a simple answer. ”I don't see than anywhere but at school, and every one looks about the same.” ”Have you ever been ashamed of any of your family about the way they looked, Peggy?” She shook her head and then said, ”Ch, of Joy when she gets dirty, and of Mickey‘when he won't wash.” ”Do you have any special problems, Peggy? Personal ones, or problems at school or anything?” ”Just my Latin is all, and I can't get it, and I can't get my English, either. I'ngoing to quit school when I'm sixteen. I don't like it.” ”What do you think about using powder, lipstick and things like that, Peggy?” ”we don't use things like that. ‘wo think they're wrong, but a lot of the kids do. I think it's wrong, though.” ”What are some of the things you do to amuse yourself? Do you read, or just what do you do?” I asked. I study every night and on Saturday I play with.Mickey and Gloria. I have to take care of JOy, too. I don't do much else. I read sometimes, but not much. I like the Anne of 306 Green Gable: books the best I've ever read. I don't read any magazines, but we read some bunny books sometimes. It was the longest speech she had made and after she had finished, she looked out of the window until I spoke again. ”Tell me what you like best about home, and what you like the least, will you Peggy?” More promptly than any other answer had come she said, ”I like Joy best and I like boiled beans the least.” I could see where I might have persuaded this girl to talk more freely if there had been several weeks in which to cultivate a friendship, but I had a definite feeling that her answers would still 'be brief, even if she felt more at ease. I thanked her and said I hoped she conquered the English and Latin, and would she please tell Mickey that it was his turn next. Her answer was, ”He won't do it, but I'll tell him.” After waiting for a moment, I resolved to rest myself and found the boy peeking around the door at me. His dark eyes and black hair were unlike the rest of the family, all of whom seemed to be more fair. ”Oh, hello there, Mickey. Won't you come in and tell me about the things you got for Christmas?” ”Didn't get no presents,” said Mickey. ”Oh, I'm sorry, tell me then what grade you are in this year at school. I think I could guess but I wish you would tell as." ”Third”, was the surprising answer. I had thought an eleven year old child would be in the sixth grade and most certainly not below the fifth. This child then, had either been ill or he was retarded. By now, he had edged into the room 307 and stood with one foot on the other, eyeing me. I looked closely at him and noted what were to me evident signs of the backward child. He did not look foolish but he looked far from bright. ”Want to see ny shirt?” he questioned me suddenly. I gave an indifferent shrug but smiled at him, and with that he left the room and came back with a cotton flannel shirt in a bright multi-colored plaid. I admired it extravagantly and he seemed very pleased. ”Why do you like your shirt so much?” I asked. ”Cause I do. It's my shirt,” was the only answer I was able to get. ”What do you like to wear to school best of all Mickey?” ”w shirt, but I can't. It's for good. I can wear my dad's boots when I want to,” he boasted. ”I can wear Gloria's sweater, too. It buttons down the front.” ”Do you like to pick out your own clothes when you get some- thing new?” This brought forth nothing but a stare. ”Which dress that your mother wears do you like best, Mickey?” He looked at me and shook his head slowly. All of this time we had been standing, and now I said, ”Let's sit down, shall we? Now tell me about your mother's dress that you like best.” ”I like her dress all right,” was his response. ”Who cuts your hair, Mickey?” ”Mama does, and she makes me take a bath and I won't never wash 1w ears but she does. She makes Greta wash my hair and she pulls.” ”Do you like to wear pajamas or night shirts to sleep in Mickey?” Mickey only grinned at me and refused to answer. 308 Gloria was taking the baby from the carriage, and when the boy spied her he lost all interest, and went hopping to the door where he pulled at the baby and almost upset his sister. There ensued an argument which was stopped by the mother who gave the boy a sharp slap. She then set him at the task of removing the baby's garments and getting the carriage in the house. He went out of doors where he stayed until I left at five thirty. I smiled at Gloria and tried to put her at ease, but found that she was even more shy than her brother, if his could be called shyness. I felt quite sure that it was dullness rather than shyness and when I asked Gloria what grade she was in and was told the sixth, I did some mental calculations quickly and. thought that a girl of twelve should be in more than the sixth grade. When she corrected me on her age and said that she was thirteen, I was sure that she was a little behind in school as was her brother. Her face, at first glance, told me nothing at all, but as I watched her carefully, I could see the same look as was in Mickey's face. Not a look of foolishness, but one of dullness. I sensed that it might have been a tendency inherited from their father. I decided to try the girl out in the questions, but to try explaining each one very carefully be- fore asking her to answer. The following is the complete content of what she contributed. In regard to any questions about money, clothes, problems, best liked clothing, amusements and all, the answer was ”I don't know” or 309 ”I guess so,” or a complete silence. The only question she showed interest in was the last one I asked which was in regard to what she enjoyed the most at home, and in answer to that she said the one word, ”Joy.” I told her to run along and tell her mother I was ready to go and would like to say goodbye. Mrs. S. came into the room and remarked that she heped that I'd gotten Mickey and Gloria to talk and I left without telling her how badly I had failed. I did, however, ask permission to be back at seven thirty to talk to Greta who had promised to see me at that time. Promptly at seven thirty o'clock that evening, I entered the home again and found the family all sitting in the kitchen, where they seemed to be doing nothing at all. Evidently, they had it pre- arranged that they would let me see Greta in the living room, for she asked me to sit down and seated herself nearby. She looked bright, intelligent and interested. Once again, I explained, and the questions were begun. In regard to the sharing of the family income, Greta said, Gravy, I never thought of anything like that before, but I guess it's all fair enough. I need lots of things but I earn six dollars a week, and I buy all my own clothes that I need. I used to get a lot given to me, but now they give things to the rest of the kids more than they do to me, and mama makes them over for them more now. Dad is always trying to get me not to spend an money, but it takes most of it.‘ When I couldn't work last Spring, I didn't get much then. No, I never got an allowance. None of us do, but we get money in the summer. I've saved most of mine for my graduation things. When asked whose opinion she valued most in regard to her Personal appearance she said, 310 Oh, I think my folks. All of us kids are like that. I guess we're more for home than anything else. I don't go around with any of the girls, only a little at school. I'm always so busy and I don't care anything about boys. They're all right, but I just don't know any. Bev. was the one who liked the boys. Her answer to the question as to classifying her appearance with that of other girls was, Gravy, I don't know what to say, but I guess we're all about the same. No, I don't have any favorite clothes. I like them all about the same. I don't know why, though. I like to buy what I have to have, but I don't like any of them.hetter. I don't know though. I like the skirt I got for Christmas from the woman where I work. It's different from my other things that I sent for. Greta's social activities were most limited. Her answer to that question was, Do you mean things like read? I don't have much time at school. I practice in the typing room a lot. I want to get a job next year like typing. We don't dance or go to the skating rink, so I guess I just don't do much. I'm not supposed to go to shows, but I've gone a few times and I like them. That's sneaking, I know, so I don't do it much. I wouldn't have a chance to anyway if I did want to. Her answer as to what she enjoyed most and least at home was prompt. ”That's easy. Dishes and housework least, and being around the baby the most.” CASE STUDY 9 BUSINESS THE TB---FAfILY CUNSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE THIRTY-SEJBN HE NOTHIR, LGB THIRTY-FIVE JANE, AGE TPIRTEEN EMLRY ANN, AGE ELEVEN BABY, AGE TWO YEnIiS The TB. family is a mixture of noise, confusion, gay hilarity and childish quarrels. Naturally, one expects to see a mother of four children very busy, and with an upset house, perhaps. The TB. home is a frame house of two stories and has a built in porch and looks as precise as the four children acted on the day of my visit, which had been prearranged with Mrs. TB., and for which she had evidently coached them before my arrival. I found Mrs. TB. obviously dressed for my call. She was in an afternoon dress of a patterned silk and looked very nice, indeed. Her hair was dressed nicely and the very blond ringlets were precisely curled and pinned. After visiting a short time about local news, I was able to start Mrs. TB. on the questions I wished to ask. The first question asked was concerning her childhood, and she said, Well, I guess I was born in this county right near Alma, but my folks moved to Alma'when I was little and I don't remember that, for I was just a baby. My name is for my mother, but I don't remember her, for I was just a baby when she died. I remember a woman that the long hair and that's about all. I remember my father better, 312 but not much. Best of all, I remember my brother, Sam. He was the one who raised me the most, along with my aunt. After my father died, Sam and I went to live with my aunt and when she got sick I was old enough so that Sam and I could take care of her and after she died, Sam and I lived there until he went away to work in Kentucky. I went to high school in Alma and had a room with Mrs. S., that woman who is a dressmaker and I worked for my board and I helped her with a lot of things, besides the housework and thin 6 like that. I got so I could baste some of her sewing and that helped her. Now her arms and hands are crippled with arthritis and she can't sew anymore. I feel so sorry for her. I'm so busy with the children and my house work that I can't get over there very much anymore, but she did more for me than anyone else ever did. She taught me all I know about making clothes for the children. I'm not very good at it yet, but I manage pretty well and it helps on the expenses. While Tony was away in service, I never could have managed at all. Of course, we didn't have the baby then, but I had the other three to take care of, and not much to do with all the two years he was overseas. I found it pretty hard without a husband. Since he got back, we got the 6.1. loan and bought this house and bourht the shop where Tony used to work for'Winget's. NOW'we own it, but of course, we have to make enough to pay back the loan in twenty years and we wonder how we'll ever manage to feed and clothe the children and put them through high school and pay the loan, too. Why, every week we buy one pair of shoes and I can't understand how it could be necessary, but it is. Of course, we include Tony and me in that and that makes six of us to buy shoes for. I'Do you make your own clothing, too, Mrs. TB.?” No, not mine, only my house dresses. I sewed for the baby some. I'm too busy to get out and buy clothes for them.and Tony has to do most of it. I can take the baby now, but it's so hard to manage and get the work done at the same time, that I just would rather let Tony do it. He can buy shoes and pants and cotton cloth just as well as I can and then I can enjoy leaving him home to stay with the baby on a Thursday afternoon and I go to Saginaw once in a while and buy me a few things. "Do you have charge accounts that you make use of, Mrs. TB.?' I'd like one, but I wouldn't dare. Tony'd have a fit and he hates me to charge anything at all. I don't do it only once in a while and then I get it paid before he finds it out. “Do you ever make clothing over?" I asked. She looked toward the coat hanger, which was on a door knob. On it hung a little blue 513 jacket, and she said, Oh yes, but I think it's too hard to make over clothes for boys. Tony Jr. is five now and I don't like to try. I saoiled one coat and I don't believe I'll try that one on the hanger. The girl's clothes are easier, because then Jane can pass her thints on to Emery Ann and I don't have to do much with them, but I have to be real careful of Jane's things or she won't wear them at all. One of the neighbors is trying to make a little trouble for me right now and I don't think much of her for it. It's all over clothes she gave me for the girls and now she wants pay for them or at least three of the thinss. She let me have five sweaters, some slips and panties and a brown coat. Ye thought all of them would fit Jane and when I told her they did, she gave me a blue spring suit and a gold three piece outfit and a navy taffeta dress. She said she wanted to sell them and that I could take them home and try them on Jane if I wanted to, and I did. 'Well, they fit and Jane liked them so well thrt I didn't take them back and she sent word that she wanted tunx dollars for the bunch. I just thought that if she could afford to give me the others that she could afford them, too. I didn't send her anything and when she asked me for the money, I said I didn't have it right then. That was last March and she's never said anything more to me, but the other she went down to the meat market and told Tony that she wanted ten dollars worth of meat and that he could charge it and take care of the bill I owed her. He told her to get right out of the store and when he got home he asked me about it. I told him I didn't consider but what she could afford to give the things to use as well as to someone else. That we were the ones raising four children and that he was in the service and that she had just two children and her husband didn't have to go to war. He hasn't been on Speaking terms since, and I think he's foolish to take it so serious, don't you? She could afford to do it and it didn't hurt her a bit, is what I think. 'When Tony was gone away, she'll never know what I suffered. Why, if it hadn't been for some friends I never would have got anywhere at all and she was driving around in a car and able to go places. She can afford to spend money for cigarettes, too, and anyone that can do that is able to give away a few old clothes. ”How do the girls feel about wearing the things that you make over ‘for them, Mrs. TB?” (311, they're glad to get them, because we get some things that are a lot nicer than the clothes we buy and they don't have to wait 30 long for them to wear. Lots of things we've been able to out right on and wear without any fixing. 314 'Did you have to make the things over that you got from the woman you had trouble with?" I asked. "Didn't have to do a thing with them,” she answered triumphantly. I"w'v’hat do you think about the 'New Look', Mrs. TB.?” I think it's foolish to talk about such a thing as thct. It's all well and good to look nice and I think I do, but to talk about a 'look' is silly. All it means is a long skirt and I don't want mine so long, do you? I see that yours is a lot longer than mine, though. If Tony'd like mine that long I wouldn't like it, but he wouldn't want me to go to extremes. We both look nice as we can and keep the children looking that way, too. They are clean, any- way and that's more than some people can say. 'What do you think of jeans and slacks for yourself and the girls?” They're all right if we can get them, Why not? I don't think they are an extravagance. I wear them, too. Not jeans, but slacks, I do. 'we don't wear shorts, though. I'm.too old and I don't like young girls showing their legs. Tony don't like it either. The girls wear them in Gym, is all. 'Do you find that it cost as much to clothe the children as yourself, mrs. TB.?” She looked at me rather scornfully as she said, I should say not, it doesn't: ‘Why, I'd be foolish to put more in clothes for them than in my own, wouldn't I? I don't get her, Jane I mean, anything but cotton materials and the rest is given to us for them. We've got several families that give us things for the girls. 'Do you keep a record of what you spend for clothing, Mrs. TB.?” No time for anything I don't have to do. Besides the money will go so far and no farther and what's the use of writing it all down? The more I'd write the more I'd think I had to cut down and the money would be gone anyway. I guess it's all right for women who don't have much to do. I'd be busy now if you hadn't come to see me for this. "What are some of the thinss you do together as a family?“ This Question made her pause, where before she had talked quickly and had, 315 in fact, been hard to stop. Finally she said, Not so very much, except eat. Tony and I don't have time to go to church and if we did we could never get us all there at once. Someone would be bound to be sick or something. The girls go to Sunday School and little Tony will go next year. we don't do much. Oh yes, we have cakes for birthdays and things like that, but it takes so long to get everything ready and the work all done after— ward that it isn't so much fun as it might be. No, we don't listen to the radio anymore. 'We haven't for a long time. Tony has it in the market, but we want to buy a new combination one, but as I said before, it takes so much money for shoes and food and clothes that we don't have much left. Tony and I do some things alone though. we go out every Saturday night for dinner with two other couples and.we play cards afterward at one of our houses. That costs us about ten dollars a night and we take turns treating each other. we eat afterwards before we to home and that takes money too, but it's about all the fun we have. I go to school once in a while, or rather I used to a couple of years ago, when the girls were in grade school, but I don't now. Of course, Tony will be in school in the fall and then the baby and me will be here alone. If the baby hadn't come I'd had a job this fall, and then I'd have hired anneone to help with this work, but that's out now, so it's no use of talking about it. we got a car the other day and maybe we can go on some trips now. I'd like to be able to travel around like the Daniels do. They just go all the time and I don't see how they can afford it and neither does Tony. They always seem to have everything they want all the time, but I can't understand it. The way they flaunt themselves around is just too bad. I guess though, that I've told you all the thin s we do. 'Do the children have an allowance, Mrs. TB.?" Her answer surprised me. "Jane has a dollar and a half and Every Ann has a dollar. Tony Jr. has thirty-five cents." "Weekly?" I questioned and she nodded and said, I never had an allowance and I want our children to have one. When I was a little girl I didn't have much, I guess, although I really don't remember much about it, so I guess it didn't hurt me any, but at Child Study Club, we learned that all boys and girls should have money. I tell Tony that it will be a long time before we have to pay the loan, but it won't be long before the sirls are grown up and gone. “Do you and your husband agree on the way the money is used for 316 the children for their clothes and everything?" Tony never says, so I suppose we do. One thing he does holler about though, and that's the noise they make in the house. He says he rot enough noise in the war and he wants peace and quiet at home. He's real rood about everything, but that and the way I comb my hair. He likes it just so and no other Way. He never finds fault with anything else. Isn't that funny? ”How about your husband's clothing? Do you ever buy for him?" I don't have time I tell you. That's why he buys things for the children. I suppose I could buy him something when I go to Saginaw, but I never do unless it's candy or something. He gets his own things right here in town. He got a new suit for himself a month ago and he got a lot of socks and things and he won't need anything more for quite a while, even if he gets elected to the Council. He's running, and I hope he gets on. There's a lot of men that want to run this town and Tony's in business and has just as much right to help run things as anyone else. If he gets it, then we'll do some of the thin:s that Kelky's do. He goes on trips for the City and she goes with him and goes out shopping while he's in a meeting. "What do you think is the most important thing you can do to keep your home like this happy one, and your fwmily satisfied?" She thought for a moment and said, I feed them three times a day and I keep them covered with clothes to keep them warm, but the girls are the happiest when I can give them someone else's c-0thes to keep them warm. I don't make them happy if I'm not here, so I'm here mostof the time, but I'm a little tired of it and when the baby is a little older I'm going to get that job. At this moment a wail came from a nearby room and Mrs. TB. left the room to bring the baby in, who was a rosy little fellow. She dressed him in some dark rompers and put him on the floor to play, where he alternately climbed up and then down from a chair. He was followed by little Tony, who came out yawning and stretching with all his Bright. He was dressed in blue corduroys and little stripped shirt 317 and looked charming. Evidently, he had his nap in his clothes, for they were slight- ly wrinkled. His mother said, "Is Tony going to get an interview, too?" I thought it would be an excellent time to try. He was standing relaxed, against his mothers knee. I tried making friends and found that he would say nothing at all. After trying for a period of perhaps ten minutes, I gave up and decided that he mitht be more friendly after the girls came from school. It was not long before they burst into the house, which before had been quiet and orderly and now became a bedlam for a few brief moments after which it became very silent. "The girls forget their manners and I'm sorry. Jane and Emery Ann, what did I tell you this noon? I hope you are both still clean. Come here.” Abashed, the girls came forward. Both girls looked epic and span in clean wash dresses, which they must have donned at noon to have them look so fresh. Both had washed their hands and now sat down and remained silent until spoken to by their mother. Now girls, I have a lot I want you to do before your dad comes home for supper and I don't want you wasting time. Jane, I want you to talk to Tony and see if you can get him to talk. I have to go back to my ironing again, or I can't go out tomorrow night. Emery Ann, I want you to take the baby to his play pen and give him his toys. If he cries, let him. Then both of you sit right down with Mrs. King and talk to her. Apparently Mrs. TB. was very used to deciding things, as I had notzintended having them togrther, but thought I might try and 318 see what the results would be. I sat in silent acquiesence and waited. The girls proceeded to obey their mother's orders and immediately there was noise and hilarity. ”I hate to have them so noisy in front of you,’ Mrs. TB. apologized. The girls paid no heed to her and for a short time there was confusion. Shortly, I was left alone with them and they were shy and self conscious for a little, but soon both relaxed and with the lack of childhood reserve that is sometimes present, grew friendly and talkative. When that time came, I started the interview. ”Tell me what you think about the way the money your father and mother earn. Do you think they use enough of it for you?" Both girls looked serious and Every Ann, the younger of the two said, ”Mamma don't earn money. Daddy does it all and I think he works too hard. His head aches and he gets cross." The older girl, Jane, said, Mamma works just as hard. It's just that she don't earn money. we get our allowance and I think that I could use some more, but I don't think that I can have it. Next year, I'll be in high school and I can baby sit, but Mamma won't let me now. It takes an awful lot of money to get our paper and we have to go to the show on it, too. I can't go to the games or the mixers and neither can Emery Ann, so we don't have to pay for that, anyway. I think we get as much money and stuff as the other girls at school do. ”Stuff?" I questioned. The younger girl chimed in and said, What she means is our rain coats and our clothes and things. I think I ought to get as much as Jane does, though, because I'm in the grade next to her and it takes just as much paper in the seventh grade as it does in the eighth, and.I think I ought to get as much as she does. we both run out before the week is over, though, an' we get Tony to give us some when we want an ice cream cone or something, don't we Jane? 319 Jane looked slightly ashamed and then nodded, saving, "Hamma don't know about that.” "Do you ever think that you spend more than your share of the money?” I asked. Emery Ann answered, Who us? How could we? we don't get it. Daddy spends it for us mostly, but we think we should do it for ourselves, don't we Jane? Mamas thinks we'd lose the money or waste it and Daddy just does what she tells him to about it, but we're going to work on him, aren't we Jane? Her sister reprimanded her by saying, Emery Ann, you'd better be a little careful what you say. Daddy wouldn't like you to tell anyone that he just does what mamma says about getting things for us and he does pick out nice shoes. It's true too, what she said, Mrs. King. All of this time, little Tony had hung around Jane's knee and now he edged a bit closer and I thought that at last he was about to make friends with me. He had not seemed unfriendly, but hadn't said a word and acted as though he didn't hear when spoken to. Now he piped up and said, I'Daddy got me shoes and here they are, and I like them and...‘ After this remark he did not speak again for some time. "Do you sometimes wear clothes that you like better than anything else that you wear?" Both girls wanted to answer at once, but they said in turn, 'I like the ones that Mrs. Packard gives us best. They're super!” and, 'I like hers too and I like Jeanie Alward's too. Hers fit me.I There ensued a friendly argument between the girls as to the.merits of the clothes and Emery Ann said, ”Yes, but the Girl Scout dress didn't fit and that was from Mrs. Packard and that proves that 320 the others are better.“ "we have lots of things we like,” said Jane, "but what we mean is that we like those thin:s better because ours that Mamma makes are wash things and they're all right, but the others are all kinds and they are prettier.” 'Do you feel that you need more clothes than you have?” Both girls shook their heads and then the younger said, "We both want a coat for the Children's Day program at church. Maybe we'll get them and maybe we won't, but we want to.“ Asked about the way they felt about their personal appearance, the girls thoufht deeply, and Jane said, I've never thought of it before, except that I've said I didn't like something or I did. It's mostly Connie's things I don't like though, and that don't matter, because she's just a friend. I think I'd say that I look about like all the eighth grade girls do. I'd know it if I didn't wouldn't I? I do know that we wear more wash dresses then the others do, but Mamma thinks we're cleaner that way anyway, and she says the other kind are too expensive. I don't care as long as they're pretty. Sometimes Daddy pulls boner and we do want to pick out the material like Every Ann says. Their social activities included the following: The movies, Girl Scout meetings, birthday parties and Sunday School and both ad- mitted they dressed in their best clothes for Sunday School. I remember once I cried because Mamma wanted me to wear my school dress to Sunday School and I can't remember why she wanted me to, only it was something she hadn't had time to fix for me and I wouldn't go,but she made me. Do you remember that Jane? It was Emery.Ann who had spoken. Jane remembered and added, ”We have our best things for going away." Asked about their favorite movie star, Jane chose Edward G. 321 Robinson, and Emery Ann, Gene Autrey. Neither knew the reason, except that they just liked them because they liked to see them.act in a picture. "Do you like to read, girls?” Both girls giggled and Jane said, The reason we laughed is that Mamma and Daddy said if they caught us readin' True Story_again they'd take our allowance away from us. we do itrthough, and when we can't borrow one at school, we take turns with the other kids an' buy one an' we let them borrow ours. It's fun to read, only I like the pictures best, and Emery Ann likes the story best. .Are you ever ashamed of the way any of your family look?n ”I was ashamed of Mamma the other night when she didn't get dressed up when we had Girl Scouts here. It was our turn and Mamma was too busy to change, and I was ashamed," said Jane. ”Pooh: I wasn't," said her sister. "I'm only ashamed when Daddy's in his shorts.” "What do you enjoy the very most at home and the very least?” It took Emery Ann but a split second to answer. I hate changing the baby's pants worst of all and mamma makes me do it to punish me for doing things she don't like. I don't kDOW“What she'll do when he stops wearing them, but she'll think up something I don't like. The best of all at home is when we can be noisy all we want to. Her sister, Jane, however, had some entirely different answers for me. I really like having Emery Ann to talk to and sleep with. Tony and the baby are nice enough, but Emery Ann and I have fun. The thing I like the least is having Daddy do things for us that Emery Ann and I are old enough to be doing for ourselves. We're big girls now and I think it's not dignified for us to be treated I"! 322 like babies, so that we can't buy a slip or our shoes. 'We both wear bra's and I don't like a man to know about them. Emery Ann piped up with, ”Daddy gets Jane pink ones, too, and she wants whiteones.‘ This gave me a chance to introduce the topic of color in a natural manner and I asked what color they liked best. Promptly, Jane said, "I like all colors, but I want my under- wear to be white." Emery hnn said, 'I like blue best.” Unexpectedly, little Tony said, "I like mine.' As he said this, he pointed to his blue corduroy suit with pride. I tried again to get him to talk, but he crept behind Jane's skirts and only peeked out at me. I think, had time permitted that I might have won him over. It was eight o'clock before I entered the home again and found Hrs. TB. in the kitchen ironing. I had seen Mr. TB. in the market once, but had not been introduced, nor did he knOW‘WhO I was, except that his wife had prepared him for my visit. I found him to be intelligent, but rather short with his conversation. He said he was suffering from a headache and I offered to leave and return the next day or at his convenience, but he refused to allow me to leave. The interview began. I asked Mr. TB. to relax his position and make himself comfortable in any way he customarily did, and then try to reconstruct his childhood days for me, if he could. He put his feet on the hassock Which was beside his chair and shifted about until he was comfortable. Ik>leaned his head back and closed his eyes. where was silence. Mrs. 323 TB. had closed the kitchen door and there was privacy for the conversation. I waited. At last, in a weary voice, but one which was not so brusk as at first, he said, My first memories are of the days when I got up from being sick and tried to walk. I fell on the floor and my mother picked me up and cried. That's the first I ever remember of her and I can see her yet. Just her face is all. I remember it was so white. She's gone now, but she was a good mother. She lived until I went into the service and while I was away she died with pneumonia. I don't remember so much about Father when I was that young. That was when I was three years old Mother always said. I remember that my father always took me when I was about six, when he went to dig a well. That's his business, and I went along so he could help Mother on days that I was going to be a bother. I was an only child, so I had a lonesome time of it. Not much like our kids. They are so lively that I'm cross as a bear, because of these headaches. I guess that's my hang-over from the war and I'm lucky it's no worse. Some of the fellows really have something to worry about. Anyway, I was alone and I always wanted someone to play”with. we lived in Riverdale and it was a little town, but there is a school and another church and I remember how Mbther, Father and I used to go to church on Sunday and I can hear the preacher yet, but I always got so sleepy that I could just hear a drone and that was all. 'When I got older, I'm afraid that that habit of not listening grew on me, because I never wanted to go to church and they let me just go to Sunday School. I liked that and went until I was almost through high school. Then, I quit and I guess I've not gone since. That is the way our kids are doing now, but I'm not so sure it's the right thing. We're so doggoned busy and tired trying to raise our family and take care of our debts that we think more of going out on a little recreation than we do of going to church. Maybe by the time the kids are grown up and gone, we'll have time for both. Asked if he could remember of having worn special clothing to church or Sunday School when he was a child, or what his father or mother had worn, he said, The only thing I can remember is the fact that my mother always scrubbed me for a fair-youdwell and that I always had on my Sunday clothes, but I don't remember what they were like at all, nor what they were. I do remember though, that once when we had 324 come from church that my mother was having company for dinner and the four grownups took a walk to see something. While they were gone, I picked first one and then another slice of banana off the layer cake that was for desert. When they got back, the cake looked like a picked chicken and Tony wasn't anywhere to be seen. I hid in an old house that was on a vacant lot near by all day until night, and I can hear them calling 'Tony' yet. They were so scared by the time they found me, that I didn't get the wallop- ing I deserved. I never did find out what my mother did about that cake. Well, to go back to church. I was married in a church, if that will help. Thelma and I met at a church supper, too, and that ought to help, but I'm afraid it won't keep us from being criticized about not going. One of my customers said the other day that she thought that all business men should belong to church. She wasn't hitting at me probably, but I wondered. I have nothing against it, you unlerstand, I just don't get around to it is all. Funny how people like to use a church for weddings and funerals. Sure, Thelma had a white wedding dress, but I don't remember a thing about it, but frill and lace. It was Thelma I was interested 1110 ”Do you ever buy your wife a dress or other clothing?” He shifted his position and said, Thelma buys her own. I don't know a thing about a woman's clothes, but l've bought a lot of kids clothes and material for dresses since I came home. I guess Thelma is so busy and so tied down that she can't quite make it and I'm right down town anyway. You know, the girls are getting so they want to buy their own things, I think. They don't say much. Afraid of hurting my feelings, I suppose, but I wish they would. It would save me some time. I don't want Thelma to take on anything more, but if the girls could do more, it sure would help. I think my wife is afraid of trust- ing them, but they both are pretty level headed and I think they could do it. I'd rather she rested more and didn't try to do so much for the kids. "Would you rather buy your daughter's clothes ready made or have Mrs. TB. make them?" I'd a darn sight rather buy them. She has too much to do to sit and sew all her spare time. It's a wonder she isn't sewing now, but she said she had to iron. Jane and Emery Ann.could learn to do that too. .All it needs is to show them and put up with the way they do it while they learn. Thelma's too fussy for that, though. She'd rather be a good housekeeper and have things just so and do it herself. I tell her she isn't doing right by the girls, let alone hersdf. 325 When asked about the 'new look', he smiled almost for the first time, and said, I like it on everyone but my wife. She's just not the type. She looks better in ordinary clothes. She's a pretty good little prude, Thelma is, and what she don't believe in she wouldn't look good in. She thinks it's wicked for women to smoke and, I confess, I'd a little rather she didn't, at least until we stop havint babies, and Lord help us if we have many more. Well, she don't like women to smoke, but there are some things she's not so particular about. I waited, but he did not go on and I asked another question which I hoped would lead him to tell me his version of the left over clothing gift which his wife had discussed with such freedom. "How about the wearing of made over clothing, Mr. TB.? Did you used to wear it? Do your children sometimes have made over clothing?" I suppose I might have, but I don't remember a thing about it if I did, so it wouldn't have made much of an impression on me, could it? Our kids have lots of it. At least they have had in the past, but I'm thinking of stopping the practice, once and for all. Our kids got a lot of it while I was away and thepractice has gone on. ‘Why, we don't buy our girls a thing, except material for school dresses that will wash. I've learned more about materials for dress goods than I'll bet most men know. I know them almost as well as I know my meats. My wife got into a difficulty with a woman over some things for the girls and I've about made up my mind to have less clothes and more respect for people. That was as near as Mr. TB. got to telling me of his wife's difficulty, to which she had referred so nonchantly. “Is your personal appearance of importance in your business, Mr. TB.?” I asked. Again, he smiled and said, Well, it's important that I be clean as to a white apron, and the laundry bill for them is big. I send them out for we'd never get our washing done if they had to be in it. Other than the aprons, it don't amount to much, what I wear as long as I'm.not ragged and Iflm clean. I'd say we use more money for the baby and Tony's clothes than we do for anyone. I have to have some good clothes of course, but I can make a suit last for five years, easy, if I 526 can keep my weight down. If I don't watch out I'll have to have a new one more often. No, I don't want my wife to help me buy my clothes. 'We learned to be pretty independent in the Army, but I never wanted anyone to help me before that. The only thing I like for anyone to get me is what our kids give me for presents and I always wear them without blinking. The other day, Emery Ann brought me a handkerchief she‘d hand painted at school in an art class and so help me, I'll have to carry that thing in my pocket. It has an orange and a parrot, or something like that on it. If anyone else but the kids give me things to wear, I pass them off on someone else who will wear them and never know the difference. You know, I think that's why all the Christmas ties are the eyesores they are. *hey've been passed on and on maybe because no one wanted them. I'm.something like my mother maybe. She hated loud things and so do I. I think my family looks as good as the next one and then they don't, I'm.going to find out why. I don't want them.to look too well dressed or folks will think we're too prosperous in the market and we'll never get things on it's feet. I don't mean it's not a success, but it takes a while to build up a business and I only worked there before the war you know. It's different to be the owner. Asked about how he felt in regard to women and girls wearing slacks, no hose and shorts, he said, I don't like shorts for’my family, but it's all right for other people. Thelma wears slacks and the girls do and Idon't care, but my wife isn't the type and I don't like them on her. I've never said a word and I don't intend to. Someday the girls will tell her. You know this isn't bad to do at all. I thought it was something that would make my head ache worse, and it's almost gone. I guess that's because we all like to talk about ourselves. Is that it? I didn't answer about the hose. It's a darn good thing our girls haven't started on them yet. I don't think I'll mind if they go without them until they're married. I wouldn't want Thelma to go any place that mattered without her hose, but I don't care around here, except when I take her some place. . ”I'm sure that I forgot to ask Mrs. TB. what magazines you both like to read the best. 'Will you tell me?" The answer came as 327 a surprise, from the fact that two high school graduates could be so far apart in their taste in reading. I like a lot of magazines, but I keep them at the market for Spare time reading, mostly. I buy them from the news stand whenever I think I'll have time to read them. If they're here, the baby and Tony just tear them up and when 1 want them at night they're not fit to read. I like National Geograohic best of all. Thelma isn't much for reading, but of course, thereTs not much time. She likes to look at the mail order catalogues best of all and I'll bet she has a dozen different companies send them to her. She don't send for much after all the looking, either. CASE STUDY lO BUSINESS THE RB---FAMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER,.AGE FORTY—FOUR THE MOTHER, AGE FORTY DELORES, AGE SEVENTEEN NANCY, AGE THIRTEEN The RB. family is made up of two nationalities, with Mr. RB. being of French extraction and Mrs. RB., of Polish. Mr. RB.'s early history is completely American, as both he and his parents were born in this country. Mrs. RB.'s parents came to this country before she was born, but are very definitely Polish, although the daughter speaks perfect English. Had I not learned before my preliminary contact with the family that these family backgrounds existed, I would not have learned it from Mrs. RB., who seemed ashamed of her Polish heritage. In the first contact, she seemed delighted to cooperate and said that her family would be glad to do so. When I called, On a January morning, I found that Mrs. RB. would talk to me first, while Mr. RB. remained in the store and vice versa. The home is a large white house situated in a far away corner of the city with the living quarters occupying the greater portion of the building, and the store the remainder. The store is one which apparently caters to people who desire merely the plain foods, such 329 as bread and milk, as well as those who wish to have wine with their dinner. There was every variety of cheese and meats, both fresh and smoked as well as many other things. The shelves simply bulged and there seemed to be heaps of this and that all over the place. Prominently displayed, was a selection of beer, wine and soft drinks. The floor was littered with bottle caps and the remains of a lunch cluttered the counter, which ran the complete length of the room. I was led through this welter of untidiness to the rear door, which opened into the living quarters. Once in the living room of the home, I was met with confusion even more obnoxious than that in the store. It was furnished comfortably enoufih, but nearly every piece of furniture in the room was piled high with some article of clothing. The ash trays were overflowing with the grayness of desolation and dust was everywhere. Mrs. RB. was in a frowsy housecoat and slippers and had a scarf wound around her head. She looked short and very dumpy in her attire and matched the appearance of her house. The appointment had been made for ten o’clock, so I had not taken advantage of an early morning surprise and she had had ample time to be dressed if she had wished. Her excuse was that she had not felt well and had been up only a short while. As I looked the room over more carefully, I found that there were empty beer bottles and a bottle of whiskey practically empty on a table in the corners 330 I seated myself, overcame my feeling of revulsion and brought my faculties to play upon making friends with tais woman. Suddenly, I make a strange decision. Perhaps it was intuition. At least it was a wise decision as I was to find out shortly. I said, with complete earnestness, "Would you mind very much if I went back into the store for a minute? I want to buy a bottle of wine and if I do it now, I won't forget.” Immediately, she smiled and ushered me out to buy it. As I re-entered the room, Mrs. R3. said, "You surprised me about the wine. I hadn't thought that anyone like you drank." I said nothing but smiled and chatted a moment and then asked her to tell me about her birthplace, and all she could about her childhood and her parents. I was born in Detroit and we lived there always. my mother lives there yet with my sister and I've got another sister that was in Ionia during the tornado a few years ago, but they're both a lot older than I am. She paused and I asked where her parents had lived before the time they lived in Detroit. Her face flushed and she looked definite- ly uncomfortable. After a moment, she said, I don't see as that has anything to do with my life. ‘We lived in as good a district as other peeple did and our home was just as good as anyone had and we was as smart as most people I think. Did someone tell you that my folks lived somewhere else? It was a direct question and I answered it in a direct manner. Somewhere, I have been told that your parents came to this country from Poland and that your husband's grandparents came over from France. I thought what a fine thing it must be to be of Polish descent. I'm.sorry if I have been mistaken. It would flatter me if someone should ask such a question, so, of course, I think that other people feel as I do about a person who is foreign born and able to speak some other language, perhaps. 331 This was said in a manner which quieted her antagonism and made her beam a little. She said, Maybe I was hasty. I feel punk this morning anyway. To tell you the truth, I am Polish and I can speak it, too, but I've never told anyone around here. All folks don't feel the way you do and we think it's just as well for the store that every- one don't know our business. ‘We've had enough publicity as it is. I s'pose you heard it, too. I hadn't the slightest idea as to what she was intimtting and said that I had heard nothing about them and was sure that whatever she meant, she was not at fault. Again she beamed and said nothing. ”Tell me, do you remember anything about the way you dressed to go to school when you were a little girl?" I asked. I dressed as good as the rest, I tell you. Our clothes was all American, but Ray says that I show I'm.a Pole by the way I like red scarfs for my hair and by the way I like men and beer. He is only foolin' but he gets a belly full of drink sometimes and then he means everything he says. The French can be mighty dirty mean when they want to, you know. my mother dressed me just fine and when we went to confession we all wore our red scarfs and white dresses. That was a custom in the village where my folks came from. My father worked hard to make us as good as the Americans and he did it, too. Ray liked the Poles when he pick- ed me out and I'm just as pretty now as I was there in Detroit, except I'm a little more heavy. Laurie is just like me, too. ”Laurie?" I questioned. Oh, I mean Delores. H‘e've always called her Laurie for a nick name. She won't be with us after this year. She's going to be nurse she says. She's a funny one, Laurie is, and not a bit like Nancy. It sure is a good thing that we can make a good thing our of the store because it takes a lot for the four of us. If it hadn't been for Nan I might not be here this morning. She was silent again and at last I said, ”Do you mean that you've been ill or something?” She answered, ”I mean that I almost didn't come back from.Fort'Wayne last spring and.....” Again she 332 stopped. Again, I took her back to her childhOud in an effort to glean more information. I failed to find any added details as she seemed to stop short everytime. At last I asked, "You mentioned what you used to wear when you went to confession. Do you still observe that tr dition?" This time there was a reaction that almost frithtened me. Her eyes blazed as she said, Don't talk to me about that: I don't go to church but I'll not tell you why. We don't have any dealings with it but you don't need to ask why. You only want to wonder and maybe you'll find out. I ignored her strange outburst completely and changed the subject. ”Which school in Detroit did you attend, Mrs. RB?" I asked. "I've been in many of them and perhaps the very one in which you went to school.” ”The Miller," she said, briefly. This told me that she had not gone beyond the eighth grade as the Miller was at that time an Intermediate School and did not go beyond the eighth grade. Her blue eyes were watching me with an expression which was baffling and I was not sure that her look was a friendly one. "Won't you tell me what some of the customs you observed at Christmas time were?" Why do you ask me? I want to forget the whole thing about being a Pole and you are stirring it all up. It's brought me nothing but beatin s from my father because I wanted to act and talk and dress and be like Americans and he wanted all of us to be like him and Mother had been in the Old Country and it drove my sisters away from home abnost before I was old enough to remember. If it hadn't been for Hey, I would have gone too, but I didn't and now I'm glad. But I don't want to keep havin' folks wonder if 333 I'm Polish. My father wanted me to wear a shawl and funny long dresses when other girls had short ones and they called me 'Pole Cat' at school, and here in this place even my own church caters to people who are American and my being born here don't make mr folks American, but why the hell should I care? This last was not a question, but a dreary, vehement exclamation and I did not attempt to sooth her. She sna‘ped back to her former attitude of being friendly after a moment and said, "Well, I didn't intend to tell you that foolishness. You said you had to buy wine and you did, so will you drink some whiskey with me now?" Rising, she went to a cluttered side board and came back with a wine glass in her hand and said, "This, my mother oroujht with her from Poland and she got three others that she brought with it. I'll put some in here for you since you are so heaped about my Country." I was comoletely non-plussed for I knew I could not possibly drink a wine glass of raw whiskey even for the sake of research. I was not sure but that she had suggested it deliberately in order to test my capacity or just what she had in her mind. I soon found that she was merely trying to be friendly and to make up for her outburst. I thought very quickly and remembered that I knew something of fine glass. She became so interested in what I was saying that she poured a glass for herself and forgot to pour any for me. I had taken the beautiful little glass in my hand and was holding it to the light. It was a varvelous one and I admired it extravagantly. It was cut with myriads of little designs and the morning light played upon it like diamonds. It was quite different from any I had ever seen and my delight was genuine. 334 The whiskey which my hostess had drunk was taking no effect as far as could be seen and I had been amazed at the ease which she had taken it. She made no attempt to take more nor did she mention fill- ing the little glass which I still held. "The others are all cracked and chipped,” she said. "You can have this one if you want it.” When I protested that I could not take something which she must treasure greatly, she said, "That's where you're wrong. The kids broke the others up. I'll give it to someone or sell it to the second hand store some day." Her face took on the moody look again. "I would feel most honored to have this little glass. ‘Will you express my gratitude to your mother for making it possible for me to have such a beauty?” She beamed and nodded her head. I asked Mrs. RB. to tell me some of the things she and her husband and the girls did together. Mrs. RB's answer was merely, 'We don't. I mean it. We don't do things together only a dance sometimes when we have one here at home. The girls like that and sometimes I entertain at them. Some people don't approve and some people do. I don't care what they say. I entertain in my grass skirt and I can dance as good as ever in it. We have a lot of fun and maybe you'd like to come over. We're goin' to have one next Saturday night. Just a few of the neighbors you knmw, and there'll be a cup of coffee and a sandwich. "But," I protested, "I don't know your neighbors and you wouldn't want people here who were strangers would you?" She answered, "I didn't think you meant it when you said you would think it a privilege to be asked about bein' a Pole." "May I leave it that we might come sometime during the evening? 335 That would give me a chance to make sure that I haven't something else that must be done.‘ "I'll tell everyone to behave, that we're havin' company," she said. I had already made up my mind that if I could prevail upon my husband, we would look in on the RB. dance and see just what such an affair might be like. It was an opportunity that might not come with any other case study and I was very interested and curious. I was so intrigued at the idea of the grass skirt and Mrs. RB. that I found it difficult to contain myself. he don't do anything else bccause there's no time to do anything but work in the store and go out with our friends and thin 5 like that. we have some swell friends that like to do the same things we do. Dance and play pedro and take a little drink now and then. Not much, but a little an' we don't care if the Masons want Ray or the Stars want me or not. They can go to hell. We've got our own friends. 'How does the new look in clothes affect your family, Mrs. RB?" Well we all like to be in style, but Ray and a sweater and some pants is always good enough for him, but he looks nice, too. I say that it's our duty to our business to be in style. We've got the money, so why not? There's money in selling what we sell and we can afford to look right. Nan is a funny kid and she likes clothes as well as I do. But Laurie is the one who really goes to town on 'em. She and I buy things. Trouble is, Laurie is hard to fit an' so am I because we're too short. Mrs. D. fixes 'em for us, but Nancy can always wear hers without fixin'. She's a funny one and no one knows who she's like. 5he's quiet and funny. Sure, we do think the new look important and we like it. Ray? He don't say nothing at all. He likes most everything I do, but a few things he's finicky about, and when he gets pokey I go out on my own for a while, an' then he's ready to play ball again. I almost didn't come back though. She had referred to almost not coming back several times and I ikalt that the time was ripe to let her tell me about it if she wished. "Want to tell me about it, Mrs. 123.?" 336 'Well....it wasn't anything at all except that I took the car and went on a trip an' I happened to give a man a ride. In Fort'Wayne I had an' accident and the police picked us up and Ray thought I was out with another man and I had to stay in jail an' I almost didn't come back. If it hadn't been for Nan bein' only thirteen I wouldn't. It's too bad I did too, I think sometimes. You see, what made it so bad was that I knew the man who rode into Fort 'Wayne with me and I s'pose it did look kinda funny to Ray and Nan. Laurie knew it was all right. But you see Ray wanted our car and I had it and he didn't know where I was going. By this time Mrs. RB. had practically admitted everything except the actual committing of adultry. Her eyes were shifty and her fingers were picking at the fringe on her robe. She said, "You know, I'd like a real pal for a friend. Someone that didn't like your husband, but liked you. A lot of the women like Ray an' I don't blame them. Don't you think he's a nice lookin' fellow?‘ ”Who buys the family clothing, Mrs. RB.?” This question brought a chuckle from.her and she said, Laurie and I do and do we have fun when we go out to shop. I'd as soon have Laurie as I would someone older. 'We can pick up things for Nan and Ray and they don't care to go with us anyway. We go to Detroit every once in a while and stay a couple of days. Laurie gets out of school easy. Qhe's smart and can.make it up. "Do you buy slacks, shorts and jeans, too?” She nodded her head vigorously and said, 'Laurie and I have some darling shorts of yellow sharkskin but Nan don't care for any. She wears jeans and we have slacks.” I could visualize Mrs. RB. garbed in shorts and slacks. “Do any of you ever wear clothing that has been made over, Mk8. RB.?' Only Nan. She don't mind and Mrs. D. is a good sewer you know; She don't wear much that's fixed over, just once in a while some- thing of Laurie's or mine. 8he's the one who works to get what she has and can save it too. Why Laurie and I spend a dollar where she spends a dime. Her bank book is getting big er and 337 bigger all the time and she says when she gets enough, she's going to go on a long trip somewhere, but she never says where it is she wants to go. We don't understand her at all. She sets and listens to the radio by the hour and says nothing at all. It's music she likes an' she listens to the violin music. Ray says that he thinks she should take lessons and I h0pe she will. The rest of us like the dance music on the radio, but we don‘t have it on much only when Nan is listenin'. No, I don't like the style talks. I don't like speeches, just the music. I like a style show though and I always think I'll get busy an' reduce so I can wear some of the clothes they show. I guess it's just my nature to be a little plump. I could have told her that whisky and beer were not helpful on a reducing program but refrained. Instead I asked her about allowances for herself and the girls. I get fifty dollars a month and I don't have to buy anything for the house out of it. 'We get all that from the store you know, but I have to do everything for myself except the dentist or doctor bills. Laurie gets twelve dollars a month, but her dad helps her with her clothes and Nan gets six a month and don't buy any clothes at all. I've had an allowance ever since we got married. lhat's the,American‘way of doing, you know. I think Nan couldn't save out of hers so much except that she gets all her cokes and candy and junk out of the store. Asked whether or not she and her husband felt about the same in regard to the children's clothing demands, she said, The only thing we differ on is what I told you. He's making money an' he made a lot on the last store over on the other side of town. He sold it and made a lot. 'Why should he fight with me about something like that? She was beligerant again and it was getting late. It was past the time set to talk to her husband. Since Mrs. RB. was still in her robe, I suggested that if she did not mind I might try to talk to her husband in the store and he would not have to leave and have her work. She refused and said that she would be but a jiffy, and I left her to dress. I wondered at what time of day the house would get cleaned 338 and when the girls would come for lunch. It developed that she answered my unspoken question without being asked. "This room's sure a mess after last night but Nan can clean when she gets here tonight. Laurie won't be here for you tonight. Couldn't you see her some other time?” I indicated that I could, and asked her to consult the girl for me and tell me when to call for an answer. With that, she left the store, carefully closing the door, but when Mr. RB. came into the room, it was left ajar. He sat down facing the open door so that he was able to see a portion of the store. Mr. RB. was big and swarthy. He seemed friendly enough but a little on edge. It was more in the way he looked than in the way he Spoke. His eyes continually traveled to the half open door that led into the store. I mentioned that I was sorry to take him away from his business at that time of day and said that I had suggested going into the store for our interview but that Mrs. RB. had thought it better not to. I was amazed to hear him.aay, "Damn her: She's at her tricks again!“ His face was livid'with.anger'and one could almost see the black hair bristle. His meaning was unmistakably clear. I said nothing and waited for him.to calm.down and realize that he had spoken as he had. At last, he relaxed a bit and said, without an apology of any kind, uI'm ready.” Since the time before noon was short and I knew I must not encroach upon their lunch period, I dispensed with preliminary talk that I usually indulged in, and began going through the questions 339 rather quickly and methodically. In answer to the questions about his birthplace, his childiood home and the length of time in the community, his answers were as follows: I was born in Detroit just like Alma was and we've lived here for ten years and been in the grocery business all the time and had good luck, too. I am French, and my grandparents came over from France. I'll always like Detroit and sometime soon after I sell this store I'm going back. I remember the monkey on the side walk when I was a little boy and I fed him cookies through the grating in the wall. I remember my mother saying, 'Ray, you must not waste the cookies to feed them to the monkey.' His cheeks would bulge out and all the time he was only making me think he had swallowed them so he could get more stored up in his cheek. What I really wanted was to get rid of the store cookies and to get my grandmother to make me some of hers, and she always would. I remember that she always wore a little white lace cap on her head and her hair was white. She always said to take my cap off and I wmuld be a gentleman, but for her to take hers off would not be the mark of a lady. My grandmother was about all I ever knew of ladies and gentlemen. my father died when I was three and my mother when I was five. When I was still a little fellow, my grandfather was hurt and he had to set in a wheel chair the rest of his life. Grannie and I managed someway and she worked so hard that when I was in the seventh grade she died, and the neighbors took me until the court made an arrangement. So I had a place to stay and I got a job. I was fourteen then, but it will always be home to me in “etroit. Alma and I got married there. At the mention of her name he began the game of watching the door again, and very gradually he edged his chair closer to it, and I continued. After we got married we worked hard and I had a little money come to me from.my father's relatives when I was twenty one, and we came down here and bought that little store on the corner on the other side of town, and in four years I sold it and.made enough to buy this and now we sell beer and wine, we make easy money. ‘Will you have something? I shuddered inwardly at the prospect of being offered whiskey again, and managed a rather feeble refusal. 340 I asked him.about the way he dressed to go to church when he was little, and he answered, his I must have been too little to remember, but I do think of the tall candles somewhere in a church before my grandfather died and I can see them when I shut my eyes. After that Grannie was so busy and must have been so tired that she never said anything about church, but she used to say her prayers and count the beads on her Rosary. I guess I'm a pretty poor Catholic, but I wouldn't be if Alma would be a good one with.me, but I lost out so many years ago and I've never went to the church here like Alma did. Anyway, we'll wait till we get back to Detroit and start in again there. "Did your grandmother sew for you?" A look of pride came into face, as he said, Say, she could do more with an old pair of pants of Grandpa's than most women could do with a new piece of cloth. Dhe could tailor and she made me little round caps to wear. I didn't like them much but I always wore 'em until I got out of sight and then put it in my pocket. The boys would make fun if I kept it on my head but they never laughed at it in my pocket. They had too much respect for my grandmother for that and for my fists, too. "Your grandmother would probably have approved of the new styles in clothes today. What do you think of them?" Clothes don't bother none. I mean the kind of clothes. The color clothes is, bothers me sometimes. I teased Alma about her red scarf, but it's all in fun and she can't take it because she's so stirred up over being Polish. She thinks I don't like red, but I do, and I like blue and yellow, but I don't like women around in black as if they had a funeral to go to. I like things bright and pretty. For me? I like colored sweaters and no tie and dark pants. That's about what I wear, too. I don't get suits. Oh, I've got one to get buried in or when I go to something that I have to wear one, but I don't wear it more than once or twice a year. I can dress up in things without a suit. Should I be ashamed of that? "Will you tell me some of the things you all do together as a family?” It's God mighty little if you want to know. We're too busy and I guess to dance is all, but that wouldn't be all of us, for 341 Nancy don't do it with us. We don't do a thing but eat and most the time we don't all do that at the same time. 'We'll have to eat out on the counter this noon I guess, but that won't hurt us none. Again I saw him look into the store and he knew that I saw him. He looked guilty, but said nothing. I asked him whether or not he felt that his personal appearance was important in his business and he said, "Look just as I do right now. a'int it all right?" He was dressed in dark trousers, a coat sweater and butcher's apron. If he wore a shirt, it was not in evidence. I nodded and asked the next question. "How do you feel your family compares in appearance with other families you know?” For the first time this question brought an answer that was different from the usual. "Just as well," Mr. RB. said without hesitation. "Damned if I know. I never thought of such a fiiing. Come back in a month and I'll tell you. I expect they look fine. They do to me anyway.” "One more question and I'll let you get back to that store, mr. RB. Will you tell me what your family reads? At home, I mean." At home, the Detroit Times and at school, nothing for all I know. Not much.time for anything but the paper and the radio, but we don't do much more than listen to the news for me and the music for the rest. Nan's the one for the good music and she's the one who reads more than the funnies in the paper, too. "By the way, Mr. 123., your wife has invited me to a dance to be held here in your home on Saturday night. Is it all right with you if I come and bring my husband for a little while?” He looked sharply at me and for the first time his attention was taken from the door. ”You really mean that? Sure thing you're welcome. Isn't often 342 we get special company. Bet you won't show up, though.“ At four o'clock on the same day,I was back to see Nancy RB., and before I left, the older girl, Delores, came saying she had changed her mind about being in some other place at that particular time. I was happy as time seemed very precious and all of the extra trips to complete seeing a family were trying to Say the least. Nancy and I sat down in the same room in which I had been earlier in the day with her father and mother. She was a bit diffident but made friends readily after the first few moments. We talked of her wish for a saddle horse and found that we had several things in common. At last, very casually, without mentioning the word interview, I asked Nancy if she would tell me her ideas about how the family income should be shared. I think, that everyone in it should get an allowance. we all do, but Daddy. I think he sould get one just as much as my mother. my mother has all she wants, I think, but how could he when he's the only one without one? I know he runs the store and he can take care of the money, but he has to do business with a lot of it, I guess. I know we don't have a budget to share it on because I asked when we had it in math class and he said we didn't have one. But it would be a sort of one to have with our allowances, wouldn't it? 'we all know what we're going to be able to have with ours and I save some of mine because I want to go to college and study music and I know I'll need a lot of money. I want to be something, and my folks think I'm.crazy. At least Mother and Laurie do. I'm not sure of Daddy. Yes, I guess I get my share of what money we have. I never thought of it before. I get about everything I need, though. Mother buys my clothes, but Daddy gives her the money and Daddy gives me the allowance and everything else I ask for. I never ask for the horse. I do think, though, that I might have it as well as for Laurie to be able to take a bunch of her friends to a cabin for overnight every little while. lhat takes money, too. I don't know if Daddy knows about that, but Mother does. I think it's foolish and I know the boys go up there too. I think that's silly, too. 543 "Don't you like boys, Nancy?” Sure they're all right I guess but why be so silly. I don't like 'em to go with, just to talk to. I could go if I wanted to I gness, but I've never been asked only once and I didn't want to go then, but I like boys all right. Some of the girls are tied up in knots over 'em. flight now I'd rather have a horse, though. Horses aren't so much bother to get ready for. Laurie spends most of her spare time getting ready for boys. "I wonder what you think of cosmetics, Nancy? Do you think they have anything to do with clothing at all?‘I Laney looked serious for a moment before she said, I think they make older women look better in their clothes and I think they make girls look silly if they use too much lipstick. Do you call Arrid a cosmetic? Because if you do, I think that's the most important one of all and everyone should use it. Boys too. Boys mostof all the way the gym smells after they practice basketball. It's putrid 1 I use it and most of the girls in the eighth grade do, but some don't and they smell awful, too. The other day, one of my teachers had a black dress on that is awful from not using it and it got all warm in study hall and she came around to look at our work and the boys began to hold their noses after she'd passed them. l'How about the problem of hair on your arms and legs? Or perhaps it isn't a problem." She looked down at her legs and giggled a bit. I haven't got much but Laurie has and she's always using a razor in the bathtub. Daddy keeps saying that someone uses his razor. I let him think it was Laurie, but I use it under my arms, too. So does my mother, but she don't use it on her legs, just Laurie. "Who takes care of your clothes, Nancy?” I do and my mother. I can press everything but my suit, but I can't iron a silk blouse yet. I can pick-up Laurie's too, or I couldn't find a place to put mine and we sleep in the same room. I'd like a room of my own, though. Laurie put her good dress right down on the floor the other night and I stepped on it. I wanted to wear it but now I've got one like it. Almost, anyway. "vmioh of your outfits do you like best, Nancy? I always 344 have one that I like best of all, dont you?” I like my French dress best. I mean my dress that makes Daddy think of his grandmother. She was pure French, you know, and so is my Daddy, and my blue dress makes him think of her. I'm French, too, I just know I am. I'm going to take French in high school or college if I go, and I'm going to France, someday. "Are you going to Poland, too?” Nancy's earnest face colored and she looked confused. I had taken unfair advantage of her and was a little ashamed but wished to know how she felt about Poland. Her voice was very low and she looked down at the floor as she said, "No.” Swiftly I changed the subject in order not to embarrass her further. "Well, Nancy, how would you say you look in comparison with your friends in regard to the way you dress?” She answered, "I think I look a bot better than some of them do and a few have more clothes than I do, but that doesn't ahways mean that people look better.” "Are you ever ashamed of the way your parents or sister look, Nancy?” She looked at me and her eyes wavered away. Finally, she said in a low voice, Not really ashamed, but sometimes I wish Mother wouldn't try to look so much like a girl and I wish she wouldn't wear something that she has, but I can't tell you what it is so please don't ask me. I wish that Daddy had a coat to wear for best all the time, instead of a sweater. Most of the fathers I know wear suits and I hate to have my father not be like the others. If he had an allowance like we do, maybe he could have. "Do you ever wear made over clothes, Nancy?n Nancy smiled and said, Yes, I wear anything I can get just so it's clothes and pretty. Mrs. D. makes me some once in a while that I like better than the ones Mother buys. °he gets things too fussy to suit me and Mrs. D. does them the way I tell her. 345 When I asked Nancy what she did socially, she said, I listen to the radio first of all and I pick out all the violin music because someday I'm going to play one maybe. I read the paper and the funnies and the headlines. At school I read stories, but I don't read magazines, but books. I go to the show once in a while, and I like that girl who rode a horse in 'National Velvet.' Do you like her? I can't think of her name. I asked what she liked the most at home and she answered softly, ”Daddy, I guess." "And what do you enjoy the least at home, Nancy?n She looked really distressed and said, "Please don't ask me for it's that thing I said I coudln't tell you about. "Surely I won't ask you, Nancy. Just forget about it and thank you so much for being one of my very best girls to be interviewed. I do hope that you'll get your horse. I'd very much like a ride when you get him. ‘Will you please tell your sister that I am ready now if she will come in?” Delores RB. came into the room in a lounging attitude which she carried through the entire interview. She was definitely bored and very nonchalant. She was a large girl, in fact, larger than her mother, and not attractive. Her face was coarse and her skin was not smooth and pretty. She looked far too wise for her seventeen years. Delores, even college girls are being asked the questions that I'm.going to ask you. First of all, will you tell me your views on the subject of sharing the family income and whether or not you feel that your share is a fair one? I think that money is quite a personal matter, Mrs. King. I will say though, that I'd like to see many girls get along on what I do, but next year I'll be out of school and on my own. I tell the family I'm going to be a nurse, but I don't think I will. I want to make my own living before the time it would take to be a nurse and I've decided I'm not cut out for one anyway. 546 ”Whose opinion do you value most highly in regard to your personal appearance, Delores?" ”Practically no one person," she answered. "Jerry, I supwose, but her opinion isn't needed. I know when I look all right.” ”how would you classify your appearance?" ”Satisfactory, I'd say.‘I "Do you enjoy getting gifts of clothing, Delores? And do you ever wear made-overs?' Everyone enjiys presents, I'd say, and I'm quite like other people. I wouldn't wear a left over. I'd rather be caught dead any time. I never tried, but I know just how I'd feel in something that belonged to someone else. Anyway, why should I? I v; Asked about which clothing she liked best,.Delores said, ”I wouldn't know. I don't buy clothes I don't like.“ "You do your own shopping for your clothes, then?" ”I buy whatever I like, but Mother usually goes with me when I shop.” I was having no success in getting this girl to talk and felt that I had failed completely until I asked about her social activities. At that she thawed a little. I dance and I go to shows in Saginaw and I give week-end parties at the cabin up north. Mother and I dance together and we give parties here for the high school kids. We had one for New Years and most of the kids got a buzz on. In my innocence or my ignorance, I did not know what getting a 'buzz' meant, so I asked and was met with a withering look of scorn. "a buzz is getting tight,” she explained. ”If you go to shows you must have a favorite movie star,” I suEQ—‘ested. nTyrone Power,“ was the immediate and solitary answer. 547 Favorite magazines and radio programs? All girls like True Romance and True Story better than anything else and the rzdio dance music is whatHIUIike. Sometimes I like a story if it's an exciting one, but nothing else. Asked what she enjoyed the most and the least at home, Delores said, with spirit, That's a very funny thing to want to know, but I can tell you that I like the parties we give for the kids the best and my small allowance the least. I need a lot more to get things that I need, but as long as my dad shells out enough for my clothes, I suppose I'll manage some wa‘. It's almost our time to eat and I'm going out to the rink tonight, so if you don't mind I think I'll have to be excused. She was getting up as she spoke and I thought it best not to try to detain her longer. It had been the most unsatisfactory interview I had been given and I felt a bit let down and unhappy as I left. It was Nancy who came into the room for a pleasant farewell. Both the father and mother were in the store as I left and I went in and made a few small purchases and thanked them for their courtesy in granting the interviews. As I started to leave, Ir. RB. called after me and said, "Don't forget now, Saturday night!" On Saturday night, true to my half promise, my husband and I walked up the front steps of the RB. residence and found pulled shades, which made the house seem somewhat deserted except that great hilarity seemed to be issuing forth. we had purposely waited until ten o'clock to go so that the party might be in full swing. In full swing we found it! Since our knock was not answered, we at length opened the door and stepped inside to be met with such confusion and noise that we we*e fairly 348 bewildered and tried to back out of the door without anyone having seen us. It was too lare and there was a chorus of "here's the new couple. Come on and have a drink with the fang!" He were pulled and shoved along toward a makeshift bar behind which stood hr. R3. dressed in tan sweater and trousers to match. A sport shirt with turned back collar was of brown mat rial and he did not seem the same man I had seen earlier in the week. he was sober and courteous. Fortunately, we were swept along past the bgr to the room behind, where a record player furnished music for dancing. Everywhere there was a haze of smoke and the stale odor of beer. Here and there sat a woman of older vintage with a bottle of beer in hand. On a couch lay Delores. She was wearing a pink sweater which buttoned down the front, and it was completely unfastened, exposing her naked body, as she were no blouse. we were so completely shocked and sickened by the whole thing that we found it difficult to remain. However, we held a short whispered counsel of war and decided not to abandon the ship until we had learned a little more about this party. We sat down near each other and no one paid the slightest attention to us until suddenly a half drunken woman swept into the room.and plopped herself down on my husband's knee saying, "Where've you been all my life?" It was not funny at the moment for I was horrified, but it actually was funny to see him literally dump her on the floor, where she landed with a heavy thud. 349 He grasped my arm and said in my ear, "had enough research for one night?" I nodded, mutely, and we started to thread our way through the chWded rooms. Remembering what had been said about the sandwich and the cup of coffee, we decided to make a final tour of the place ans see if they actually had such refreshments. We found the kitchen, off which was a small alcove where platters of food seemed to be set forth. as we looked more closely, we realized with another shock that a man and woman were in passionate embrace there in the shadows. At once, I realized that the woman was my hostess, Mrs. RB. Sickened, we turned away without saying goodbye to anyone. In fact, no one paid the slightest attention to us. we reached the Open door and it was then that I recalled Mrs. RB. had said she sometimes danced in her grass skirt at these neighborhood parties. However, I had seen enough. we left, feeling grateful for the fresh, clean air of the outdoors. CASE STUDY ll BUSINESS THE CB---FAMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE FIFTY-TKO THE HOTHBR, AGE FURTY-SJVBN GOkMaN, AGE 8 VENTBEN BETTY, AGE FOURTEEN The CB. home is an apartment over their market where they have lived since entering business some time ago. The mother does not work but keeps an immaculate house from all outward appearances. At my first contact she said, You could stay right now and interview me, but I'm due at School Board meeting in fifteen minutes. German is working tonight down at the press, but Betty and Clifford will be here if you care to stay. How about it, you two? WOuld you have time? Both signified their willingness and I grasped at the chance. This was on the night of March seventh, and the wind had torn at me as I walked down the street. The apartment was cozy and had a 'lived in' look. Since Mr. CB. was enjoying the evening papers, I suggested to Betty that she and I have our talk first. That was quite all right with her and I was delighted when she asked if I wouldn't like to see her room first. I admired everything, including the wall decorations of movie stars Frank Sinatra, Ingrid Bergman and Greer Garson. Betty said with a note of pride, It isn't often that I'd dare invite a grown-up to my room. Usually when Mother wants me to, I can't oblige. I'll tell her I did 351 tonight and.maybe it'll make up for the other night when she wanted me to show someone and I had to make an excuse. "Do you mind telling me the excuse, Betty?" Well, I mind but I'll tell. It was because my clothes weren't picked up and my bed wasn't made. I couldn't help it though. I had to do a whole week of ninth hours because I flanked my Latin test and I never have time at noon or in the morning. How do you like my pictures? Seeing nothing but the movie stars, I concluded she must mean them. "Which one of than is your favorite, Betty?” ”Golly," she answered, 'I like Ingrid Bergman best of all. She always makes me cry." "'What do you do for amusement besides go to movies, Betty?” I don't know. Nothing much I guess. No, I don't read any magazines except once in a while the National Geographic or the Science magazine. I did go to Girl'Scouts,‘butfiit got too sissy when all the kids wanted to do was put up their hair or talk about boys. Betty was not a pretty girl and her straight hair which merely hung limply down her back and around her face was not beautiful. She lacked sex appeal, but her face was earnest and kind. She resembled a healthy young tomboy more than anything else. Her’room.ref1ected her boyish tendencies. It was very plain and unadorned except for the movie stars on the wall. There were no frills or ruffles to be seen. She was dressed in blue jeans and a dark shirt which hung on the outside. I'The girls thought I was nuts to quit everything the Scouts had, but I want to hike and swim and build fires and cook outdoors and a lot of things, but maybe we will when we get another leader." 'You.must do a few other things, Betty. Do you go to church or Sunday School?" I was sorry that I had asked when she answered 352 by saying, '.I go to church with mother to early mass, but it's no fun without my dad.” "Why not take your dad along, than?" I asked. Her face looked suddenly older than her fourteen years. ”Dad isn't in a church, but if he was I'd go with him and German could go with Mother.” I must have looked puzzled for she added, You see, when we got to be twelve we could go to any church we wanted to and I wanted to go to some other, but I couldn't because we don't have any other and besides I can't hurt my mother's feelings. That's why my dad don't go to church I guess so he won't hurt her feelings. I heard my mother say that she's out of her own church because of marrying Dad, and that we should all of us appreciate it. I don't see what difference it makes where I go if she's out anyway, or why she keeps on going if she's out. I never dare ask because we don't talk about it, but do you know? I knew, but could not explain to this child that her mother was still Catholic but barred from taking communion because of her marriage to a Protestant man who had not become Catholic. Betty thought a moment and said, ”Now why can't we all be in one church or another?” I'Do you have lots of other personal problems, Betty?" Again the girl thought. I have some silly ones that you wouldn't want to hear about,I'll hot, but I'll tell you. I want to be pretty enought so my mother won't be ashamed of me when she introduces me to her friends. She never says so but I knew she'd like me to be different and I'd like to be if that's what she wants. She's a super golf player you know and is always winning something. b'he'd rather play golf than eat. She's got a swell form for a woman of forty-seven. Most of the girls that I know have mothers that are fat and forty, and I'd like to be swell elegant for her, but I can't. I'd rather do the things I told you about than to be a lady and sit with my hands folded.. 'Do you sew, Betty? Perhaps you could make yourself some glamorous clothes for yourself if you want to be so elegant.” She 353 looked at me with a gamin-like grin and said, "Like heck I could. No, I don't sew and I'm not going to, either. I'd rather wear these,” and she pointed to her jeans. "To dances and parties as well as to church, Betty?" ”I don't go to dances,‘ she answered, ”and the only party I go to is a birthday party or a Hallowe'en one. Nw'mother won't let me wear anything but a dress when I go out, but I can wear these to School once in a while if it's cold enough." “Does your mother sew for you?" I asked. She shook her head and said, No one sews around here but buttons and holes, and it's up to each one of us to sew and fix all our own things. Mother runs too many clubs, and she only has time enough to cook and clean and that's about all, let alone fix our clothes. Dad says if she ever got him.all darned up at one time, he'd faint. You see, she's president of the Child Study Club, Secretary of the Cemetery Board, something at the Country Club and she's in the Monday Club for women. Oh yes, she's on the School Board, too. She used to have time to bake chocolate cakes, but she doesn't now. Dad says he doesn't know she lives here 'cause she's always at a club of some kind. It's better now than in warm.weather, though. "Do you do your own shopping for your clothes, Betty?" "Not me, I like whatever Mbther gets me and if she says it looks all right, it's okay with me. I go with her sometimes, but I don't care whether I do or not. ”How would you classify your appearance with that of your friends?” I guess it depends of what you want to look like don't it? I look all right to suit me, but I don't look all right to suit my mother, for she tells me so. She thinks I should go crazy over a new dress and sometimes I like 'em. But I like my jeans the best. I guess my dad would really like it if I liked dresses more. maybe I will sometime. 554 I'Do you ever wear clothes that are made over?" Again she shook her head and said, No, I guess not. I can't think of any right now, but I got a dress from a cousin in'Washington D.C. that didn't have to be made over. I'ts just right but I don't like the way it smells and I told Mother that I liked my own smells best. I'll bet Sandra never heard of Arrid or anything like that. I like the dress well enough, but not the smell. No, I don't like lipstick or any of that stuff. I'm.a regular 'Albino' at school. You know, when something is different, that's an Albino. The girls didn't call me that, I just thought it up. "Whose opinion do you like best on whether or not you look nice?" I asked. Quickly she said, you Dads, but it's usually Mother who tells me to please go back and do this or that. I'd like to wear Mother's golf dresses. I think I'd like me in them. They're more my type. 'Do you have an allowance, Betty? If you do, I should think that could buy yourself some.” I get a dollar a week, but I don't take long to get rid of that much just treating the kids. I think I'll ask for more and maybe I'll get it, but I won't buy clothes with it. I'll buy something that Dad has been wanting and that is a set of golf clubs. I'd like him to be the one to be champion in this county. 'Do you have any special outfit that you like best?” Best of all I think I like my maroon snow suit. It's a honey and all winter when we went out to Orchard Hill with our big sled, I wore it. Got it for Christmas from Dad. He likes it too. I kind of wish it was blue though, 'cause I like blue best. ”What do you enjoy most and least at home, Betty?” Oh, I don't know, just home I guess. I like the radio a lot and I listen to detective stories like 'Crime PhotOgrapher.' The dishes I guess are the least. I hate 'em. Say are you going to ask my dad that question? I'd sure like to know what he says and my mother too, but I pretty much know what she'd say. I'll bet it would be me acting like a boy and not fixing up my room. German would say...oh, I don't know what he'd say. Probably that I'm.a brat. That's what he calls me. It's not serious except once in a while and then he means it when I tease him.about his 355 girls. He's moony over someone all the time. I laughed at her and said, ”Shall I go now and see what it is your dad likes least?“ we went into the living room where Mr. CB. was drowsing over the paper that we had left him reading. He became wide awake when his daughter whooped at him. She went back to her room and Mr. CB. and I were left to talk tOgether. Since Mrs. CB. was expected back by nine o'clock or soon after, there was no time to be lost if I wished to be ready for her. I asked Mr. CB. the first background questions after I had explained more fully what the purpose of the interview was. He asked pemmission to smoke his pipe and settled comfortably back in his chair and began to answer questions. I have always lived in this vicinity and my father and mother did, too. my grandparents were from.Maine and Vermont and my folks came to Michigan before I was born. my dad had a market right here in this town when I was a little boy. I never knew of any business but the butchering. my dad used to do all of his own buying and butchering up at the other end of the street, but he bought this place before I can remember. Everyone called me 'Butch' from.the time I can.remember and they still do. That is, all but my wife and she insists on Clifford which is really my name, I guess. I don't remember my mother much. She died when I was four and my dad died when I had been out of high school and into service for six months. I got home and took over the business and got married to the girl I was crazy about in high school, but it didn't last, and here we are. I looked at him in surprise as I had had no idea that this man had been married a second time. "There were many post war marriages that didn't last," I ventured. After a moment of silence, he said, That's true, I guess. If I'd listened to what people told me, I'd have waited, but it wasn't in the cards and after a year we got a divorce and I married Mary. I guess I was as much to blame as anyone, but my first wife was too rattle brained to think of l | I I'll- I. .‘II II I l I. l ' ' l' l 'll‘l' ll 0" I... I I I ll'- I- I .- I " ll 'l I I. I ' ‘0 - his 356 trying to help build up a business and all she wanted to be was a clothes horse. I was too young to know enough to try to make a go of things when we called it quits. Everyone thought that I was in love with.my present wife and that it was what caused the trouble, and I never bothered to tell many people the difference. As I think of things now, I wonder how Virgie, my first wife, ever made out in her second marriage. At least she stayed married and maybe she learned that the money a man takes in the cash register must pay to keep a business going and not all be squandered as fast as it can be collected. Of course, I'm older and wiser now, myself. ”Was there a child in the first marriage, mr. CB.?" He shook head and said, No, thank God. Betty and German belong to Mary and me. It's bad enough to raise them.in a divided religion without adding step- parents to it. Mary is a Catholic and I'm a damned poor Protestant, but a Protestant never-the—less. We've managed pretty well through the years though. ”Since you have mentioned it, may I ask which faith the children follow?n He looked serious and said, I'm beginning to think it won't be either. The agreement was that the kids were to be with her until they were twelve. After that, they could choose for themselves. Well, they're both over twelve and their mother is still trying to make Catholics out of them. What time she isn't golfing or organizing some club, she's working on that. Don't misunderstand me. She's a fine mother and house- keeper and she knows how to get the most out of a dollars. ,knd she's good looking too, if she'd think she could be in anything but sport things. maybe I'm a little jealous of her golf record, I don't know. ‘We're trying not to talk church very much but I want my kids to be free to choose and if I tell the truth, I want them to be Protestants, but I'm sticking to my part of the bargain. There: I've really relieved my mind and got it out of my system for another spell, I hope. I asked about his childhood experiences with church and why he thought he was a poor protestant, and he said, I suppose it was because my mother died when I was so young and my father had first one housekeeper and then another, that I never got too much acquainted with church. I used to go with Auntie Dahl when she was with us and I can remember her telling my dad 357 that he was bringing me up to be a heathen. Auntie Dahl was the last and the best one we had. She used to make me things I liked to wear, and I rememuer that she about scrubded the neck of me and said that I wouldn't be so bad looking if I'd wash that neck of mine. I've often wondered why my dad didn't marry Auntie Dahl, but he never married anyone again. At being questioned in regard to the memories of clothing worn to church or Sunday School, his mind seemed to be a blank. however, he did recall a childhood incident which made him very unhappy for a long time. you It was one Christmas and my dad was sick and had to be in bed and we didn't have much of anything ready for a dinner. One of the neighbors found out he had to be in bed and couldn't have our dinner either at home or the hotel, where we used to eat a lot. She brought a tray of their dinner in to him and told me to be at their house for dinner at a certain time. I hated to leave my dad, but I was tickled to hare the chance to go and be with the other kids and have some dinner. I never thought of anything but that dinner and when I got there and mrs. B. looked at me, she threw up her hands and said she couldn't have their Christmas spoiled by looking at a boy in his old clothes. I can remember of looking down at my pants and I can see them yet. I must have been a pretty sloppy sight. my wife says I'm sloppy yet, but I sure looked it that day. I was so darned hurt and bewildered that I ran for home and bawled, but I didn't let my dad hear me. That's the worst Christmas I ever had. Usually we made out pretty well and I think my dad kept me looking decent most of the time, but I sorta' got away from him from.time to time, and that time he was too sick to care, probably. ”Did any of the housekeepers ever meke any clothes for you that remember about?" No, I guess not. my dad used to send me down to the Jew's store, Klines I mean, and I was to tell Uncle Dave to fix me up. He would and my dad went later and paid. So it was really Uncle Dave that kept me in clothes for years. He used to say, 'Now Butch, sonny, which one of these do you like best?' I never cared much and he'd wrap up a big bundle and slap me on the back and say, 'Now you scoot, you young devil,' and that meant that I was to be clothed again for two or three months. I think my dad had the right idea, too. It saved him.time, it saved me from going naked and it made a steady customer for Uncle Dave. 358 "Who buys your clothes for you now, Mr. CB., Uncle Dave?” He laughed and said, No, my wife. I can't be bothered. I never had much clothes sense, I guess, and maybe that's why I never understood why some people make such a fuss over something to cover them up. I like my wife to look like something to be waistled at, but she's all for Sports. Betty's such a tomboy yet that she'll not be whistled at for her looks for some time, I'm afraid, but I can't seem to work myself up into a lather over what I wear. I want to be warm in the market in the winter and cool in the summer, but I don't care what keeps me that way. That son of mine is a different story, though. He's dandy enough for both of us and his sister too. Great kids I've get. "What do you think of shorts for women and girls, Mr. CB.?" I think just like Adolph Menjou thinks in the last Readers Digest. He thinks they're to show off varicose veins in case you didn't read it. Funny thing. Betty wouldn't wear 'em, but she wears everything else of that kind. Slacks and such stuff, but it's mostly her old blue overalls like she's got on tonight. Bothers her’mother more than it'does me. Still, I think a girl ought to look like a girl. I'll have to talk to her I guess. She'll get the devil for being in them tonight I'll bet. I tell Mary that she might as well let her be a kid yet for awhile, as she'll grow up soon enough and like the boys soon enough too, I'll be thinking. ”The new look in clothes doesn't bother you too much, then, Mr. CB.?” Oh, I get a big kick out of that my watching my customers in the market. I don't bother myself'bout it though. ‘Why should I? I think Gorman is always after some kind of a look, but I'm not sure what it is. You mean long skirts and so on, so it can't be that he's after. I think there ought to be another name for it for boys. Well, anyway German has it whatever you call it. ”What are some of the things you do together with your wife and children for amusement and relaxation?” mr. CB. smiled at me and said, we go to shows and I read. That about does it. I go to Legion and Many and I go to the show together once in awhile, but she's pretty busy with one club and another and all the Boards she's on, so I sorta keep the home fires burning and keep warm by the fire. I 359 don't believe families do much any more. I used to think that if I ever had any kids, that I'd spend allmy time with them and instead I spend most of my time making enough money to keep us going, and we don't keep up with the 'Jones' either, or we'd be having a new house. Always thought we would, but now it won't be long before the kids will be married and gone and we won't need a house. "Are you thinking of college for the children?" College? I think not as far as we know right now. They can both go if they want to, but neither one of them have talked about it so far. I'd be glad to help a little, but I believe in them help- ing themselves. Maybe I'm just lazy. I think it's time for my wife to come home and I'm wondering if you'd mind excusing me for a little while? I'll stay though, if you have any other questions you want to ask me. ”There's one other, if you don't mind Mr. CB. What is your favorite color for your ties, shirts, and other clothing?" ”Darned if I Imow, Mrs. King,’I he assured me. "Mary gets what she likes. I'd say that her favorite color was blue if I can judge by what she buys for me.” He was wearing a blue shirt and tie at the moment. ”How often do you buy a new suit, Mr. CB.?" The hands of the clock were on nine and I had wondered whether or not he wanted to take in a late movie. I don't buy suits. Mary buys a suit. I just get measured and if I don't watch out that next measurement is going to be too big. No fooling, Mrs. King, why should I be bothered picking out a suit when Mary likes to do it. I only get one once in a long while anyway, and from the signs, it's about time for Mary to get up on her high horse and prod me down to be measured. I haven't done that since 1943 when we had a Legion convention. I let him go then, and he said as he left, "Gosh, I'm glad I could help you, but I was beginning to think I'd miss that last show. I'm sure Mary will come if you want to stay. Betty. I'm leaving. Will you come out and be polite for me?'. 360 His daughter appeared and he left. I was just about to thank her for the politeness that her dad had requested, and leave, when we heard a step on the stairs and soon Mrs. CB. entered the room saying, "Oh, I hoped I'd get back before you left and I have just managed it, haven't I?’ Mrs. CB. and I sat down and after a moment she remarked that she thought a cup of coffee might be in order. It was a welcome addition to the evening for me as I was becoming fatigued. I had a task to perfonn with this last interview of the evening if I could do it properly. Her husband had intimated that all was not well. While Mr. CB. was a man who weighed roughly two hundred pounds and looked casual and happy-go-lucky and a bit untidy in his coat and sweater and baggy pants, his wife was quite the contrary. She was of medium.height and of slender build. Her dark hair was cropped rather short with a wave in the front, while her eyes were black as coal and very keen looking. She was dressed in a mannish looking tweed suit which was unrelieved by any feminine touch. Her heels were flat. She busied herself now with the coffee and soon we were indulging in the hot drink which gave me fresh courage to start another interview. I gave her a brief explanation and answered one or two questions which cleared every- thing for her. We were both in a relaxed mood when she started answering the background questions. I was born in Saginaw on the west side and lived there until I was ten,'when we moved to the east side. I had three brothers all older than me, and all of them are living in various places here in Michigan. my father and mother are living, and we think that it's quite a record. I hold my breath sometimes to think that Dad and Mother are getting old and that something might happen to them. Our children don't know any other grandparents, for Clifford's 361 parents were gone before we were married. I think it's tragic for a child to grow up without a grandmother and a grandfather, don't you? About all that I can remember of my little girlhood is that I had a grandmother and she had snowy white hair. She was my great- grandmother and her name was Babcock. Grandma Babcock was so old that everyone stood in aew of her. She used to pound her stick on the floor for me to do things for her and I always remember her in her white nightdress. It looked like a tent around her and she only let me see her in it as a real special privilege. I remember the last time I saw her and she patted me on the head and said that I must be a credit to my mother. I'm afraid I've failed sometimes to be much of a credit to anyone, but at least I've not forgotten Grandmother Babcock. ”Do you remember anything in regard to the clothing that you or your parents wore to church?” Nothing that I can think of at the moment. we probably wore our best. my father used to help us get our clothes on and buttoned up, that I do remember. I can remember that we sat in a row while he finished us up. With four of us like stairsteps he must have had to help Mother. I had long braids and it look longer to get me ready than it did the boys. It's strange that I can't seem to remember anything about the things I wore. Mother always wore black to church. She still does, but I never have. I think it's more that she looks better in black than anything else. She and Father are both in their eighties now, but they are still able to go. ”Did your mother make any of your clothes for you when you were a child, mrs. CB.?" I don't remember when I was little, but she used to make my dresses and my underwear when I was in Junior High. I can remember that I bragged to the boys that Mother liked me best because she made me a new dress and they couldn't have anything. I must have been a meanie to do that. my brothers remember those days, too. It was usually when they had refused to let me play with them or go somewhere with them, and I was trying to get even. Once she made me a coat out of an old one and I felt so badly about what my brother Tom said, that I'd never wear that coat. Of course, he was trying to get even with me for something and didn't mean it at all, but he said my mother had got the old coat from the rag man's wagon and that it would make me relation to him. He had me believing it so much that I got hysterical when my father told me to stop that nonsense and get that coat on. Mother finally gave it to a neighbor girl who appreciated it and wouldn't have cared if she had been a relative of the rag man. I don't remember 362 my mother ever trying anything like that again. I think she was too discouraged after she had worked so hard to do something nice for me. I can't fuss making over coats for Betty now.‘ In fact, I don't think I could if I tried. Betty's so much a tomboy that she wouldn't care if she looked like a street peddler, but I'm hoping she'll outgrow it and get so she likes to think of her clothes as much as Gorman does. Shes taking after her dad, I'm afraid. Is it normal, do you think, for a boy to think more of the way he is dressed than for a girl? Clifford says to let her alone and that in another year she'll drive us crazy for clothes and boys, too. But right now she's not much interested in either one. It's all western stuff and I think she might be happy if she could live like a cowboy. mrs. CB. sighed and re-filled the coffee cups as I asked, "Will you tell me who does the buying of the family clothing?” 'Without hesitation, she said, I do, except for German. He's interested enough in himself that he wouldn't think of wanting me to do it for him, but Betty and her father would go in rags if I didn't take the job of getting them something to wear off their minds. Clifford really annoys me. I actually think he'd look like a tramp if I didn't take care or him. I made the observation that if there were nothing more serious between a husband and wife than a matter of buying a few clothes, that I supposed it wasn't at all serious. Mrs. CB. said, I wish I could tell you that there were no problems but that. I'm afraid I wouldn't be quite truthful if I told you that, for in Spite of my husbands easy going ways about his clothes, which really annoys me, for I think a grown man should care a little more than he does, there are some things he can be stubborn as a mule about. He is stubborn about playing golf, for instance, and he thinks the Country Club is silly to spend money for. I tell him he's just jealous because he doesn't play as good a game as I do, so he won't try. He hasn't done it for a couple of years now and he should to keep in shape. I think perhaps his weight is partly responsible for his being so careless. I said again that I supposed that many husbands and wives found things like that to be adjusted between them as the years went on. She finally said with vehemence, I. I"I-II-II I'll-o II IIIII II | ' 'I | ' I I i I I - I." 363 You don't undersiand. I could take all of the little things in my stride if he wouldn't be so mulish about his religion when he doesn't have any. These people who pride themselves on being of a certain faith but never do anything about religion, they're just bigoted in my opinion. we have a problem like that to work out. my people told me, but I wouldn't listen and I'm going to continue to work it out like I have for years. I think every family problems and I have never despaired making Clifford see things my way. I'd like to see it happen while my father and mother are living though. He thinks a lot of them both and maybe things will work out yet and everyone will be happy. I can keep Betty and Gorman in hand, but my husband is a different matter. He was not brought up to think seriously about such matters. hhen I was in business school in Saginaw and he used to come down there to see me he was quite different, but of course that was a long time ago. He weighed just about fifty pounds less than he does now and he always said that there would never be any worries about church if I'd marry him. "Did you meet your husband in Saginaw, Mrs. CB.?” At the school. He had come to get some work taken care of for the business. You see, he was in that before we were married and he had to get everything straightened out, for he was not looking like a fashion plate even in those days. He even had hair hanging in his eyes the first time I saw him and he didn't have a coat on but was just in his shirt sleeves. ”Speaking of fashion, what do you think of the new look?" She smiled slightly as I continued with, ”Has it affected your family much?" The way my family react to their clothes is not adaptable to the new look I'm afraid. I'm pretty plain, myself, and Betty's hope- less and 30's her dad. Gorman is the one who dresses and he's always remarking about some girl who looks 'keen.' I like to look smart but I'm not made for long skirts and upswept hair. I think I annoy my whole family with my lack of frills but I look much better in plain things. I wouldn't say that the new look had done anything to us. I we ld like Betty to pep up though for I don't think it's natural for any girl to be so unconcerned. "How about Betty wearing jeans, slacks and so forth? Do you approve?” I do not. I'm afraid all the girls are careless and they look simply awful to me. I don't mind for a picnic. I, myself, never think of wearing anything but a dress on the golf course. Shorts are taboo with both my husband and myself and that's one thing that 364 we agree on perfectly. It's the only thing I can think of right now. He thinks it's foolish of me to insist on Betty wearing her gloves and hat to church like I do. Goodness knows I have a bad enough time getting her into a dress for anything and he almost spoiles it every time I'm insisting. She's a hard one to get to wear hose too. b'he's like a young colt with them on, but she's worn them to church this winter and that is all. The minute she gets in the house, she peels them off and on go the jeans. I've threatened to burn them all up. ”Will you tell me whether or not you have a favorite color in the family?" She thought a moment and said, "Actually, I don't know. If we have, I've never been conscious of it. my own favorite color is blue, because I wear it well.” As I looked about the room, I found a medly of colors all of which blended together fairly well. It would have been difficult to tell which predominated, however. Our coffee had long since been finished, and it was five minutes of ten o'clock as I rose to leave. we had agreed that if Gorman were able to give the time, I would see him on the following night. It developed, however, that I did not have to call on Gorman, but that he called on me instead. He came to the door rather unexpectedly to deliver some meat for his father. The fact that I was to call that evening came up, and he said, "If you had time, Mrs. King, I could stay here right now if you want me to.’ I was delighted to think of staying in that evening and took him into the music room.where we could talk undisturbed. I had met Gorman before and had thought him a most attractive, clean, clear eyed boy. He seemed at ease and removed his heavy coat and sat down. He immediately grew interested in some sheets of music on the piano and looked them over. He picked up the clarinet and blew 365 a few notes, and then said, ”I'm ready, I guess, but I like that music there." I"Well, German, suppose you tell me your views on how the family income should be divided and do you think you get a fair share of it?” Gorman scratched his head and said, Never thought of it, except in one or two ways. I know that my dad is fair and I know that he keeps us all going pretty fine. Of course, I earn most of my money for my clothes now, but he gives me a lot, too. He gives my mother a lot, and I know that she gives some of it for things that he don't approve of, but darned if I know who if right. I guess I'd say that an income should be divided so that no one has to feel bad over it. I mean that I know that Dad feels funny sometimes when he gives up an argument and lets Mother have the money for her church things. He never says much, but I can tell by the way he acts. He works pretty hard. "Doesn't your father want to give money to the family church, Gorman?” Sure, if he gives it to both churchs, but he only gives it to one. I'm going to start going to one church one Sunday and the other one the next Sunday and the one I like best I'm going to give my money to. What church do you go to? The boy had surprised me by asking this question so directly. I answered just as matter-of-factly as he had asked, "Methodist, and you?” He flushed a bit and said, Catholic with my mother at present and my father doesn't go. I'm going to tell him.I'll go with him and see what it's like. I have lots of friends at school who are Protestants and I think I'd like to see how it is. "What other things do you do besides go to church, German?” He thought a moment and said, Skate at the rink, go to the school dances, go to the show about three times a week and debate. I work too, you know, about two nights a week. After I graduate, I'm.going to the University of Michigan and learn to be a journalist. my folks don't know that 366 yet, for I don't want my dad to worry about it. I'm going to earn my way. I figure I'll have enough clothes to carry me through the first years, if I keep on buying all I can while I'm working and I'll go down there next summer and get a job and start in the fall. Do you think it would'work? "But don't you think your people could help you some?" I asked. He shook his head as he said, I don't want them to know and then there won't be any argument over what kind of school I'll go to. Mother would want me to go to a school of her church, or it might be something else, and my mind is all made up. Please don't tell anyone what I told you, or it might get all spoiled. I promised and went on to another question. 'I know from.what you have said that you buy your own clothes. Do you like to shop for them?” Oh sure. I like clothes and I like to buy them, but not like my dad and mother think I do. I wouldn't want Mother picking things out for me like she does for Betty and Dad, anyway. They never get a chance to say what they want or what color it's to be. Mother just brings 'em home and I think it's because she likes to manage. I like to manage for myself or I couldn't expect to next year and if I carry out my plans, I'll have to be on my own. I guess I'll have to learn to press my own clothes to, if I'm going to make that school idea stick. Asked how he thought his personal appearance compared with that of other boys he knew, German said, I guess it's favorable. my father and mother would say that there isn't a boy in my class that had the clothes that I've got, but that isn't true. Sam E. has twice as many and so has Dick N. I tell Mother that it takes clothes to go to school and if you date a girl you have to dress once in a while. The other boys all do in the senior class. The ones that go with girls, I mean. "Do you dress in some special way for those dates, Gorman!‘ Depends on where we go. If we go to the auditorium.in Saginaw to dance or to the show there, then we dress up in our good clothes. If we just go to the rink out here west of town, we wear our school clothes, sweaters, slacks, and things like that. 367 ”Whose opinion do you value most as to your personal appearance!" He thought seriously for a moment, and then said, I believe, my mother's. She ribs me a lot about my clothes, but she knows all right when someone looks as they ought to look. She's not as keen about the color I ought to have for a tie, but she knows when I ought to wear a suit and when it don't matter. ”Speaking of ties, do you like to get them or other articles of clothing for gifts at Christmas or your birthday?" I asked. "Sure,” he answered. ”Saves me spending my money. I like to get 'em.if they look right and I guess they most always do, even the things Betty buys me.“ ”Have you ever been ashamed of the wayyour father, mother or Betty leok?‘I German looked a little shocked at this question, and said, "Well, no, but...” He seemed a little uneasy and to be hedging, so I said, "Don't worry, German, no one is going to know what you say. This is in the interest of research, you know.” The boy looked re- lieved and said, 'Well, I'm.not exactly ashamed, but I'd like Betty to be more like a girl and wear dresses more, and I'd like my mother to wear some- thing that wasn't always so darmed strict looking. I don't exactly knew the word I should use. ”You mentioned that you go to the movies. Do you have a favorite star?” He frowned and said, I like so many that it's hard to choose, but I read about Gregory Peck the other day and I thought he was the best. He's made a name for himself all by his own efforts and he didn't have much money to help him.aither. I like to read about all the people who've done that and I think it means a lot more than as if someone did it all for them, don't you? I nodded and asked, ”What do you read for magazines, German?” The Science, Popular Mechanics and Reader's Digest most of all I think.I like any good story though. Mother is aIways reading about 368 some sports, and Betty is a detective fiend and western stuff and that leaves Dad and me to the other things. we all like National Geographic, toe. 'Do you listen to any special programs on the radio, German?” Yeah, I listen to the quizz pregrams and when one is on at the same time as Bet's ghost stuff it's just too bad. we decided to take turns and then I lost out on my turn because it was on a night that I was working. Mother's never very keen about listening, but Dad has the radio on all the time he's home. Betty says he sleeps to the radio. I'Will you tell me what you enjoy most at home and least?" The boy looked about the room, get up and leafed through the sheets of music again before he spoke. The thing I like the most I think is a feeling that I have a family. Is that a funny thing to like? If you'd asked me that last week I'd have said that it was something silly like my mother's baked beans or something, but since George P. lost his whole family in that automobile accident, I'd say it was having a family. That don't mean that I like everything at home, though, for I don't. I don't like mix-ups about church and things like that. I don't like to have my sister wear boy clothes and I don't like my mother to look as though she's been starched all the time. None of that changes what I like best, though. I glanced at the clock and reminded German that his father might . think he was taking a long time to deliver the meat and he scooped up his ear muffs and jacket and left. I was especially grateful to him, for he had answered a couple of questions that I had failed to ask his parents. CASE STUDY 12 BUSINESS THE RF---FAKI Y CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE FORTY-SEVEN THE MOTHER, AGE FORTY-TWO DONNA, AGE EIGHTEEN MARILYN, AGE FIFTEEN The RF. family live in a small bungalow which they own. It makes a very neat appearance, as does its occupants. Mr. RF. is a co-partner in a filling station which is leased from one of the big oil companies. Thus the partners own their stock, but not the building or grounds. Mr. RF. and his partner have been in business for several years in the same location and both men have raised families with the proceeds from.that business. The RF.'s were very willing to be interviewed with the under- standing that there was to be no publicity in any way. Both the husband and wife were present at the first contact and were kind and courteous. It was decided that one call would suffice in order to save time for them and for me, and that a small den in which Mr. RF. does his business records could be used for each interview in order that there might be quiet as well as privacy for everyone concerned. On the appointed evening, I sat down in the den with Mrs. RF., who wished to be first. we visited a little and she spoke of her mother being ill and the fact that her husband's mother was ill also, 370 making it very difficult for all of them. nDoes your mother live here in town, hrs. RF.?" I asked. Mother is in the nursing home right now. Her mind is very bad, and we thought that the home was better for her. we had her here with us until it got so the girls were almost ready to leave home. 'We've had Bob's mother here, too, part of the time and between them they have had us almost swamped. My mother has enough to take care of herself with, but she can't be alone at all and there's no one else to help with her. My father died years age, right after I was married and it's entirely up to me new. I wasn't an only child because they had no children. I was alone in their home. They adopted me when I was seven and now it's my respon- sibility to care for her. ”If it won't bother you too much, won't you tell me about your early life, both before and after you were adopted, Mrs. RF.?" I think that I don't mind too much, Mrs. King, if it will mean anything to you to know. I don't know a thing of my real father and mother. my first memories are of being with several other ,children in a home, although I didn't know the name of the place at that time, I remember going to bed in a room where a lot of other children went to bed at the same time and got up at the same time. I remember eating oatmeal out of a blue bowl and want- ing more sugar, and that a woman said I couldn't have it because it wasn't good for me. I.remember being sick and having to take many kinds of medicine and that's all I can think of, besides the day my father and mother came and saw me the first time. .After I thought they were going to take me away, I didn't want them too, because I was afraid and I remember crying with.my head on a table. When they really took me home with them, I don't remember crying at all and my father carried me on the train and I must have gone to sleep. A.long time later, I remember riding behind a black horse and I was afraid of it for I'd never been so close to one before. After that I don't remember too much, except that I could have all the sugar I wanted on my oatmeal and no one ever said that it wasn't good for me. 'Do you recall the way you were dressed in the home or anything about being taken to church services or saying your prayers at table as they do in some places?” I don't know about my clothes there except my night dress and it had sleeves that must have been too long for they were over my hands and I played that my hands were lost. I don't remember 371 saying prayers until Mother taught me to say one before I went to bed at night. my father was the one who said Grace at the table and I think that is the best way. He and Mother were very strict Eethodists and so were Bob's folks, so of course that makes us Methodists, toe, and we are. I'm not sure our girls are as enthusiastic about their religion as Bob and I, but they are pretty good about it and we always go to church, all of us together, unless some of us are sick. "Do you still keep up the custom of saying Grace at table?” We surely do at every meal. You asked about clothes. I think the first time I was ever very conscious of clothes was when I first spoke a piece at the children's day program at the church and I was to have a new dress for it and it was yellow. That was the most beautiful dress that ever was, I guess, and I think it was because of that dress that I first got interested in wanting to make things. I liked it so much that my mother said, 'If you are going to like dresses that much, you will have to learn to sew them.‘ "Did you?” I questioned. She paused and looked dreamily into space for a moment, and then said, 'Yes, and I guess I must have started right in. my mother was a dressmaker and she got lots of beautiful materials and sometimes people left the scraps of cloth there and she let me sew on them for my dell. I've sewed since I can remember and I love to do it for the girls and myself now. my mother was a fine dressmaker and she did it until my dad stopped selling pianos when the oil interest he had began to pay a little, and then they both took it a little easier. I'm so glad new that Mother has something to take care of her with even though we'd be willing, it would be a little hard just new with Donna needing so many things. She's getting married this Spring you know, and trying to make all her wedding clothes. I mean I am trying to make them. "Do your daughters do any sewing Mrs. RF.?“ I asked. Her face looked strange for a moment and then she smiled slightly and said, It's very funny, but neither of them can sew at all that amounts to anything, and they don't show any interest in learning even if they do like to have me do it for them. Bob says I slave over it for them so they can have almost everything they want to wear and that they don't appreciate it. They are both of them always bring- ing home this or that material for me to make them something and 372 I still love to do it. Mother helped me sew for them until a few years ago when her eyes got bad. IDo you make over clothes for the girls too, Mrs. RF.?” Not much, but some of Donna's things have been made over for Marilyn, but I can't really say made over either because about all it's ever required is to take something in a little or to make it shorter. Mother sometimes used to make a coat for one of them out of one of hers or mine, but that's about all. She was better at making over than I am, so when when we get through with something, we use it for marilyn if she likes it and wants it, and if not we always know of plenty of people who would like the things. Right now, Marilyn has her eye on several of Donna's things that she hopes she'll fall heir to. One of them is her velvet evening wrap. She says that after Donna is married she won't need it. "How has the new look in clothes affected your family," I asked. Our girls have always been pretty much for being in style and I like to be myself and it's quite easy to if you can sew, don't you think? I'd say that the new look has been hard to keep up with and still not spend any more money, except for the longer skirts and of course that takes more material, but as Marilyn says, it isn't much and it pays dividends in dates. She is a sophomore this year and I think more clothes crazy than any of us, but I always said that my girls should get everything that was possible for us to give them and not have them spoiled, if by my making their clothes could make it possible. More than anything I would have liked Donna to be a teacher. I meant to be, but get married after taking one term.at Mt. Pleasant, and now that she's going to get married, we'll hope that Marilyn will want to, but we're not urging it. "It must be fun getting ready for a wedding and making the clothes for it and everything, Hrs. RF. Are you making the veil, too?” To my amazement, she seemed to choke up and with tears in her eyes, said, Donna is becoming a Catholic you know, so our fun is all mixed up with quarrels and tears right now. 'we have decided to say nothing more about it as she has made up her mind and is studying the necessary things. I'm.almost glad that my mother's mind won't comprehend what is going on, it wauld hurt her so. Of course, It's Donna's life but she's awfully young to make such a decision. Her father and I have been finding that it's useless to talk about it so we're trying to make it as happy as we can. feeling the way we do. 373 Her father is feeling pretty much broken up over it and if you don't mind too much, I'd rather you didn't ask him.any questions about religion, for he will get started and we'll have another session with Donna and I'm.afraid she'll not stand for any more. You see, she's always been Bob's 'baby', as he has always called her, and he can't stand it to have her turn Catholic when his family have been methodists for as far back as he can find out. It wouldn't make it any better if Cliff would turn. He just don't want her to be mixed up with anything but a protestant and preferably a Methodist one. I assured her that I would say nothing to her husband about religion and that if it was mentioned at all, it would come from her husband. ”Shall we talk about something that will not be sad? Suppose you tell me about your feeling in regard to the wearing of slacks, jeans and shorts as it affects your family.” Mrs. RF. had regained her composure and said, I, myself, wear none of them'but slacks, but both girls wear them all and we think nothing about it as lengas they are worn for the proper occasion such as shorts for house work in the summer when it is hot, or in the back yard or for family picnics for tennis. Both girls play. They never wear shorts on the street and if they did their dad would soon put a stop to it. Both of them wear the other things on the street sometimes. ”Will you tell me some of the things you do together as a family, Mrs. RF.? You have said that you go to church together and if you will tell me some of the other things, please, I would be interested.” We go to a supper at the church together sometimes, although we hardly ever eat at the same time as I am.usua11y on the committee or something or have something to do with it. 'We square dance, but that's just Bob and me. The methodists have got so they dance, you know. The girls dance but not with us. That is, not to go with us. Actually, I can't say as we do much together as a family. we do have dinners for the grandmother's birthdays and we had Christmas tOgether and things like that, bit it seems to be different now; I used to go every place with my father and mother, 374 but our girls haven't since they were in about the seventh grade except for a picnic once in awhile. we had two picnics last summer but they were just outside of town and if they'd been any farther, the girls wouldn't have wanted to go because they'd miss seeing someone or something. You see, I didn't go out like our girls do, I guess. It seems as though times have changed a lot, doesn't it? ”When we were talking about your sewing for the girls, I meant to ask whether or not the girls buy their own clothing except for the things you make?" They have bought their own things for a long time and I think it's the only way to teach a girl. I bought all my own things after I was fourteen. Bob started Donna in when she was younger than that, when I was sick for several weeks and in the hospital, and Marilyn has bought her own things for a long time. Both of them have earned most of their spending money and some for clothes for a long time by working in the drug stores and staying with children. They both do a pretty good job. Much better than Bob. I tell him for anyoxe who believes in teaching children to be independent, he's a poor example. Honestly, he is helpless as he can be and he would let his underwear or shirts get in ribbons before he'd buy some for himself. I buy everything but his suits and I dog him into getting those. Overcoats, too. He always says that his things are all right and that he will get some another time. So it goes on and on and I finally get ashamed of him and then we go and buy him what he neeis. He likes to look nice, too, but he just hates to spend the money on himself that he things we need for something else, I guess. 'Do you as a family, have a favorite color?" I asked. After thinking a moment, Mrs. RF. said, 'If we do, I don't know what it is. I like brown to match my eyes." Her eyes were a beautiful brown and looked very intelligent. I could see that if I expected the rest of the family to be willing to see me that I would have to start the next interview, so thanked her and asked her to send anyone in whose time fitted that particular period. It was her husband who came into the room and sat down. Mr. 375 RF. was a man of medium height and size. His balding head was partially covered with coal black hair and his eyes looked keenly at me as he seated himself. He glanced at his watch and said he would appreciate it if we could be finished in not more than forty-five minutes as he had a meeting to attend. Therefore, we began without preliminary conversation other than a bit more of explanation. After the first questions, Hr. RF. said, I was born right here in this town and have always lived within three blocks of this house so you can see that I haven't moved around much, can't you? Yes, my mother is living but my father died seven years age. mother is ill and there is no one but Lucille and me to take care of her. She is seventy-six new and almost helpless from rheumatism. ‘We had her with us but now she's with.my aunt in Kalamazoo and won't be back here before the middle of the summer. Vy sister? She was eight years older than I am and was an infantile paralysis victim sovve had a sad time until I was old enough to understand things and not be selfish with her. Mother and Dad wrecked their lives over her and she died when I was twelve years old. I can remember now I hated to have to wheel her around. She wasn't able to walk for four or five years before she died and that was one of my jobs. I got so I didn't mind when I get old enough to get some sense. my dad was pretty stern with me and I guess that's what's needed today with kids, more stern parents. Well you see, a lot of my boyhood was taken up with.my parents worrying about my sister and there was just the two of us, so I never had anyone to play with at home. I used to dress up in my father's clothes and pretend I was him and tell myself off and one day when he caught me at it, he scooped me up and.spanked me, and after it was over said he had not spanked Bob. He had spanked Father. You see I had on his best suit and I had dragged it in the mud. my dad was pretty precise and always took care of everything the right way, his clothes included. ”Do you recall anything about the way you dressed as a child, Mr. lflF.?' I do remember something. my sister used to get presents of wool stockings from an aunt‘who made them for her because she didn't go out at all. She never could wear out the stockings and my lnother said they were just like a boys stocking anyway so why couldn't I wear them? It nearly finished me to do it but she made 576 me and I used to wish I would die before I had to wear another pair of Flossies stockings. I don't suppose they did look any different from a boys, but they felt different on my legs just the same and I almost hated my sister for not eing able to wear her own socks out. I don't think I could tell you another thing that I remember except the shirt with a starched collar that I had to wear on Sunday whether or not I went to church. Of course I almost always went and that's one thing that my dad and mother were pretty strict about, even when I was a young man. But I don't recall that any of us dressed in any special way except in our good clothes; no, my mother didn't sew for me that I remember but Lucille sure sews for our girls. I think she over does it and that the girls could give her a rest and do it themselves. ISpeaking of your girls and their clothes, will you tell me how the new look that we hear so much about has affected your family?" A frown furrowed his brow for a moment before he spoke. I'd say that it looks nice on my family, but that it's made my wife more work. Probably it isn't the fault of the 'look' but the fault of two girls who expect too much of their mother, no matter what kind of thing is in vogue. Whatever it might be, they'd have it and I'll have to admit that all the family but me make a pretty good showing when they go some place. Lucille says that if the girls think too much of their clothes, that I think too little of mine. But I don't have to worry. She takes care of me, too. ”What do you think of charge accounts or lay-a-ways, Mr. RF.?" I asked. None of either for us, thank you. It's hard enough to pay when you buy, without paying for something after it's half worn out. I remember once when I was in high school that I charged a shirt that I liked and when I went home and asked my dad for the money to go and pay for it, he sat down and made me listen to the evils of such buying and I've never forgotten it for he went without something he had been going to get and made me keep the shirt. I never liked it after that. 'Do you give the girls and Mrs. RF. an allowance?” ‘Well, not exactly. You see it's this way. ‘We don't always make the same amount of money and I don't like to commit myself so I give allowances on a commission basis. They don't seem.to mind too much, 377 especially the girls, when they pick up quite a lot of spare cash for themselves. We have to budget all around the same way so a settled budget doesn't always work for us. ”How about college for the girls. Will they go?" Again he frowned and said, That's rather a sore point with me just now, and I don't know how to answer. If we can stall off a crazy notion of Donna's, then she might go to college next year, but I've about given it up. Marilyn is too hard to guess about. I can say though that I want both of our girls to go on to school because I couldn't, and I hate to think of the expense of sending them, but I want to do it. "Will you tell me some of the things you do together with your family, Mr. RF.?" The only thing that we are ever sure of anymore is going to church on Sunday morning. That one thing we do yet. The girls always have things to do and to tell the truth, I kind of like the idea of going out alone with my wife or being at home alone with her. we've been so busy raising them from babies that now I'm a little relieved to be alone without listening to them. If they're around, the radio is blaring a dance tune or wise crackingebout something that we don't care a hoot about. New I don't mean this to sound as though I don't love my daughters. Really I think they're pretty swell most of the time, but I get annoyed. He rubbed his hands over his bald top and sighed, “Maybe it's because I'm getting old.” ”I suppose you have to sacrifice plenty when you have a family,” I suggested. He looked up and said, "I don't mind any sacrifice if I can feel that it counts, but to sacrifice for eighteen years and then have it count for nothing if a pretty hard blow.’I He stopped short and did not go on. That was the nearest he came to telling about his daughter turning Catholic. '18 your personal appearance important to you in your work," I asked. 378 Personal appearance should be important toevery man, no matter what work he is in. Yes, mine is. I have to meet the public dozens of times a day. That is, I do if we have any customers. It's important to help keep up my morale, too. In spite of my wife saying that I don't buy enough clothes until she forces me to, I do like to make a good appearance. It just don't take two or three suits a year to do it in my business. I can get along fine on a new one every four or five years He had answered questions beautifully, and although there were a few more that I had intended asking him, I knew that his wife had already commented on them and decided to free him from answering more because of the meeting he wished to attend. It was forty minutes that we had talked. I thanked him.and asked that one of the girls come in. In a moment a girl entered the room who was very pretty. She had black snapping eyes, red lips that seemed natural and shining black curly hair. It was marilyn, the younger of the RF. girls. Yhen she was asked about her views in regard to the family income, the girl's answer showed wisdom beyond her years. I think, Mrs. King, that our income is as fairly divided as Daddy thinks he can manage, but I think that if it could be a certain amount of money for our allowances, that we could learn a lot better how to budget our money. If Daddy made less than the usual amount sometimes, then he should make our allowance an amount that he could afford to let us have in that case. The way it is, we're never sure what we can do or how much we ought to try and work to make it enough. I guess Donna and I spend too much for clothes, and make Mother sew too much for us. At least Daddy thinks we do. But she's so good at it that we'd rather have something she made than what we could buy, and besides our allowance wouldn't go so far if we got things ready made. I know what we should do, and that's learn to sew. It's never appealed to me, but I suppose I could try. The trouble with Donna and.me is that we've had too :much I guess, and we've gotten too independent with what we want. mother doesn't feel well and that's what makes Daddy worry. "Do you enjoy shopping for your materials and other clothes, Marilyn?" She answered promptly saying, 379 Oh, very much. I've done it since I was about thirteen and Donna has, too. Someway, I don't think I'd like anyone to pick out things for me now. Of course, there are some things that I like people to give me for presents, but not dresses. I'd just as soon that Donna gave me any of her things, though. Her clothes are always keen and I think she has good taste. The only trouble is that she is light and I'm dark, but some of her things look right on me. Some of the colors, I mean. I like lots of bright colors, red especially, and red kills Donna. Mother would rather we didn't change clothes anyway. I'm.going to have some of her things when she gets married, though. Trouble is, what I really want, she won't discard, and that's her evening wrap. Mother doesn't think I should have one before I'm a senior and I don't agree. What do you think! The dances are mostly mixers but we'll have two big ones yet this year. I get invited to go to other schools, too. ”It's obvious that you date, so I won't ask you," I offered. Most of us date at school. Trouble is that so many of the boys are such babies yet. I like the older boys because their manners are smooth and they know how to take a girl out in public and not make her feel silly. Some of the boys don't know that there is any food except hamburgers, you know. I'Do you have many problems in regard to your personal life, Marilyn?" The girl looked thoughtful, frowned and finally said, I think one of my problems is getting along with girls, and I don't really have a girl friend except Donna, and it scares me to think of her getting married and there's such a to—do about that in the house right now. I can't tell you about it because my folks might not like it. Anyway, I think the girls at school have been jealous of the way I dress and they were of Donna, too. I'm.sure that's it but they are always making wise cracks about the 'Ritzy Methodist.' You see, we do go to church and take part in a lot of things and Daddy is on the church board and Mother takes an active part in things and she always dresses well, and I've heard some remarks made that I've never told her about. Such things as one woman said she didn't see how that Bob RF. managed to let his family run him into debt so with the way they had clothes when he had to work so hard to earn the money. It isn't true that we do that. It's just that my mother is so clever and I don't think it's fair for other people to make it their business what we do. Donna doesn't let it bother her so much, but I'm worrying about her because she won't know who, why or how to manage when she's away from home. I know that Daddy will never let Mother keep on sewing for a married woman and I know that Donna is going to get an awful let down. 380 I'm not going to get married until I'm.at least thirty. But you asked me about problems and I think that is my biggest worry. I'm popular with the boys but not with the girls, and I know that isn't the way it should be. I have another problem, too. That is the problem of hair on my legs. I'm so dark that it shows up and I like to use a razor on it. Mother doesn't say anything, but Daddy has a fit. I tell him I'm a young lady now and that he shouldn't worry about anything like that. He worries just the same and it bothers me. I don't like him to be so personal. Especially about something so silly. I think Grandma RF. must have put it in his head. She thinks I'm'far too advanced for my age', as she says. Grandma P. would understand better, only she isn't well enough to say much about it anymore. Grandma RF. isn't well either and that is another problem I have. I'm afraid that if Donna gets married, that it will mean I'll have to share my room with Grandma RF. That sounds awful I suppose and I don't mean to be selfish, as she says I am. I just don't want her in my room and when she's Daddy's mother I can't very well tell him so, can I? I don't really think I don't really think it's very considerate of Donna not to think of it. 'When Grandma is here now, she sleeps on the davenport and that's awful because we can't have company with her going to bed. we can't even have Mother and Daddy's friends in to talk. I think that pretty much takes care of my problems and I suppose they sound sort of silly. I'Will you tell me whase opinion you value the most in regard to your personal appearance?" "That's easy," she answered. ”I like Mother's and Donna's opinion most of all. I used to like Grandma P's too, but she's not well enough now. If she felt better, her opinion would be 'worth having though, I'll bet.” When I asked marilyn about her family's appearance, she said, I'm.always proud of my family about the way they look and act, all but Grandma RF. and I feel like a crumb to talk about her this way. She always looks all right but she's so sanctimonious about every- thing that she gives me the creeps. I think she annoys Daddy, too, 'but he won't say a word. He wouldn't think that that was the way to honor his mother, and Daddy is a dyed-in-thedwool commandment keeper if there ever was one. "How would you classify yourself as to personal appearance, Marilyn?” 381 I think I look better than many of the girls at school because I keep my clothes pressed and clean from spots, and lots of the girls are careless about those things. Donna and I have to take strict care of such things if we expect Mother to sew for us and she'd stop if we didn't. She's made us do it so long that we just do it naturally now. I'm a little careless about buttons sometimes, but they can just wait for all of Mother. She says that if she makes them, we ought to be able to take care of them, and I guess she's right. If I don't get a dress fixed up for the band dance, I won't be able to wear it and this just made me think of it. This one isn't semi-formal, but the next one the band gives will be. It's our biggest one and I want a new dress for that. I wanted a wrap but I'm going to forget it until I see if I get Donna's. "What do you do besides dance for amusement?" Oh, heaps of things. I read a lot. I go to the movies and I have lots of dates when I want them. Sometimes we go skating. I think that and dancing are my chief amusements. I belong to a reading club where we all take our newest 'Junior Heritage Club Books' and exchange them, and we take turns giving book reports or telling the story to the others. we want to work it up so we can start dramatizing some of the favorite books. No, we don't dress in any special way for any of these things unless we have a party at the club and then we wear heels and hose like we do for any parti. "What do you think you enjoy the most at home, Marilyn?” "The most? I don't know, but I could tell you what I don't enjoy, although I'm ashamed of it and you can probably guess what it is from what I've already told you." She looked at me with a question in her eyes, but I only smiled and did not answer her, and she said, I hate to say it, but it's Grandma RF., and I just can't help it. I like lots of things but I think that most of all I like having a sister as keen looking as Donna is and a mother who can make clothes like my mother can, and a father who doesn't forbid me having dates like a lot of the girls have. I thanked Marilyn for giving up her time for me and asked if she ifliought her sister would be ready to come in. She left to call Donxma and.I wondered whether or not the sisters were alike in anything. They'vvere so far apart in physical appearance that it seemed hard to 382 believe that they were even related by blood. Donna came into the room and spoke courteously as she seated herself. The ligit played upon her and showed her delicately pretty face with it's dimples at either corner of her mouth. Her honey colored hair and blue eyes combined to make her charming. She lacked the vivid- ness of her more striking brunette sister, but made up for it in ways difficult to describe. We talked about several things of no consequence and then, at a natural point in the conversation, began the interview. She had happened to remark about the blouse I was wearing and I had said that I had had to manage our budget in rather a special way in order to get it. "Do you have a budget Donna?" I asked the question thinling it would not be quite so abrupt as it might be to get into the financial questions in some other way. "Well, I do of a sort,” she answered. "That is, I have an allowance and I budget that, but of course it's not like budgeting for a whole house or something like that.” ”Do you feel that your allowance is a fair share of the family inconw?" I asked. Donna looked thoughtful before she answered. I'd like to say no, but that's only because I always need just a little more than I get. That's my fault for not being a better planner. Marilyn is lots better at it than I am and I know I'll Jhave to work hard if I ever make ends meet when I'm on my own. Ifiother says I will be able to do it. She did and still does, so Inaybe I can learn. I suppose marilyn told you I am going to be married. She held up her hand to show her ring and said, "No one approves 583 except the two of us, but no one can give us good enough reasons yet.” The way she said the word 'yet' made me think that perhaps it would not take too much to cause her to change her mind. Perhaps under- standing waS'what she needed rather than argument. Since Donna's sister had told me about Donna doing her own shopping and taking care of her own clothes, I decided to let those questions go, and asked her about her personal appearance and whose opinion she valued.most. She answered, my mother's. She is the person who knows what looks best of all on me and I've always had compliments on my clothes. Mother sews, you know, and I'd rather have her opinion than anyone I know; For one thing, she's not mulish about it the way my grandmother is, and for another thing she knows about style and doesn't need a pattern for lots of things. I'll bet she could be a professional if she had any training. She knows more than any dressmaker in town and the funny thing is, no one but my grandma P. ever showed her anything about it. ”Why, then is it you don't enjoy having your Grandma P's opinion, if I may ask?” "Oh,“ she exclaimed, ”I didn't mean her. I mean my other grandmother. Grandmother RF. She's different and I just don't enjoy her. I can't exactly tell you why." "WhO'would you say needs or buys the most clothes in your family, Donna?“ It would be easier to say who buys the least clothes. That would be my father. I think right now I am buying more because I intend to be married, but usually Mother, Marilyn and I buy about the same, I guess. I think we girls seem to have more clothes, but Mother's are expensive. She says that the older we get, the more expensive things it takes to make us look well. Do you think that is true? For instance, I can wear a cheap formal to a dance and look.nice, where Mother would look not very well dressed in the same kind of material. 384 "Do you have some special clothing that you like better than any other that you have, Donna?" That would be hard to decide because I never buy anything for making up that I don't like. I couldn't afford to do that, you know. I have an aqua dress that I like because of my hair and eyes, but I wouldn't want everything that color. I can wear so many colors that I like a lot of variety. "How would you classify your appearance in comparison with that of your friends?” Donna colored slightly and said, Shall I be modest or shall I really say what I think? I really think that I compare very favorably with most of the girls I go around with. Marilyn thinks that the girls in her crowd are jealous of her and they probably are, but she doesn't do much to keep them from being that way, I'm arguing all the time. She can be awfully haughty when someone shows that they don't like something she's done. I think all of our family would compare well with other families. ”Will you tell me some of the things you do for amusement?” I used to date a lot but nmw I only date with one person, but;we go to shows, to the rink and for drives. I read a lot of evenings now. my favorite magazine I think, is McCall's because of the patterns. 'We almost always use McCall's patterns. I like the radio but the only favorite things I listen to are the Mbnday night plays. Lux Radio Theater, you know and the symphony programs. I detest sermons over the radio. "Do you go to church or Sunday School?” She answered, ”No, not just now, but I'll be going to church again after I am married. Just now I'd rather not talk about that." "Hill you tell me what you enjoy the most at home, Donna?” She looked a little distrubed, and said rather vehemently, I used to enjoy the fact that we hardly ever had.an argument over anything, but now I can't quite say that. I'd say, though, that I enjoy having a father, mother and sister that I can be proud of even if we don't agree all of the time. I've never had to be as- hamed of my mother the way a lot of girls have been at school. I used to think that I wished my mother could look like a movie star. 385 Just any star. But I made up my mind two or three years ago that she was much better looking than a movie star. I saw Greer Garson at that time when we were in California, and I was disappointed in all movie stars. She didn't look a bit glamorous and I thought she wasn't as good looking as lots of women here in town. CASE STUDY 13 USIHSSS THE nF---FAIILY COISISTS OF: THE FATIEE, 3GB TORTY-T REE THE FLTHDR, AGE FORTY EILTQE, AGE sn‘JQTEEH SUS L, AGE FOUPTEEN GRAIDRaETYE.£R, AGE SEVJNTY-SEVEN The AP. family live in a modest, but comfortable house. It is furnished with quiet good taste, but not extravagantly. Earring the outside appearance of the house, is an extension of one room which is fairly large and which, as is evident from the outside, houses a barber chair and all of the sundry supplies one would expect to glimpse through a barber shop window. The preliminary contact had been made through firs. AF. at the store where she works on Saturdays, on which day she said it was necessary for her to work. Since the store is never open on Thursday afternoons, the appointment was set for that time at one thirty o'clock for interviewing the senior AF's. The son and daughter had expressed willingness to cooperate that night after school. Since I had learned that Mrs. AF. had earned her right to teach hemistry and had been substituting in the local high school, I knew that she was college trained. I had not known of the extent of her husband's education until she made a remark which enlightened me. v 'We wire chatting comfortably about many matters not pertaining 387 to the interview at all. Suddenly, Mrs. AF. said, You know, Aubrey and I have been thinking about this since you asked for the interview; How did you happen to choose us in particular, or would you rather not say? my sister who teaches in Battle Creek, has been working on some kind of research work, but refused to let us in on it. She said she wanted only illiterate, very poor people. Actually, we could have fulfilled the poor part very well. Perhaps the illiterate too, if we want to take Susan's view point into consideration. At fourteen, no one knows much of anything, but Susan, and we had to take time out the other day to explain that her father had not become a PharmacolOgist without knOWing a few things and that it took a little intelligence to teach Chemistry. I was curious as to the reason a man trained in Pharmaceutics was the owner of a clothing store, and asked the question. Mr. AF. answered, There's more money in it, and it takes money to raise a family. Besides, I always wanted a clothing store and now we have one. It's great sport to help men and boys pick out their clothes and have them.look like something. I actually feel as though I'm doing the world a service sometimes. "Don't get him started, unless you want to listen to a sermon,” said his wife. The interview had started itself with no pause. Our casual conversation had led us into it and I hesitated to suggest seeing one of them alone and decided to keep on talking as we were, the three of us together. If it became evident that things were apt to go wrong, I could easily and quickly switch over and say that we had reached the point where I wished to ask separate questions.' Therefore, I said, I'm always interested in fourteen year olds. won't you tell me about when each of you were that age? Of course, for my study, I'd like very much to know about the time before and after you were that age, too. Since it came about in such a natural manner, everyone was relaxed and in a mood for reminiscence. Mrs. AF. began: Since we have no secrets from each other, I'll tell you about myself first. I take it that you want to know all about me from the time I was a baby. I'm afraid that I can't quite make it complete, but I'll do the best I can. I'll have to admit that I would not care to have our friends read what you write about us, but I know enough about such work that I realize no one will know whether the information came from our home or from.President Truman. I don't remember much before I was six and started to school. I few little things like being rocked in a big wooden rocker and seeing lights on the water, and'being called 'Sweetheart' by my mother. Isn't it odd how such little things stick to us? After I went to school, my first big memory is that my father left home and my mother opened the 'Husted Corset Shop'. Claribel, who was my younger sister by five years, had to be taken care of nights after school and it was my duty to see that she was kept in a state of warmth and dryness. The shop was right on our house in one of the rooms, so Mother could take care of everything. It was when I got in the sixth grade that I began to have a time about Mother selling corsets and asked why she had to, when my father wanted to came home and take care of us. I knew that he did, because he kept coming. Mother finally went into business with her sister and they opened a shop down town and they called it the 'Husted4Wilcox Shop.' They still sold corsets, but had hats, underwear, and dresses too. I can see those corsets displayed in the window yet, and I can still feel that cringy feeling that I had every time I went past the store with some of my-friends. I can understand some of Susan's silly ideas, because of that experience. I've never known exactly what caused me to feel the way I did, but I still loath seeing corsets displayed in windows. Mother stayed in with her sister for years, but now she's sold the shop and put one back in her house, and as you probably know, she is specializing in corsets. Mrs. AF. laughed ruefully and said, I don't mind it quite so much now, but I don't enjoy it. She's seventy five years old and should stop working. Only last summer, my father, who lives in Battle Creek near Claribel, came to see her and she said if he dared to call on her she'd throw him out. 'We've never quite known what the trouble was, but Mother is too proud to let it be rectified, so there are two silly old people who could be company for each other and aren't. Father comes once in a great while, but he never mentions Mother, and if he and Claribel get together, no one knows it. we think that it just happens that he lives near her. 389 To go back to when I was a girl, I guess I had about everything I needed or wanted to wear, because my mother sold those things and could get them wholesale. “he still can, and that's one of our problems with Susan. She and her grandmother are the greatest of buddies and Kother thinks that everything that Susan wants, she must have. Susan thinks that because Grandma can get it wholesale, we ought to be tickled pink to buy it. Between them, they are getting so they about have us whipped. Mother's argument is that when I was a girl I had all of the things that any girl could want, and now I want to deprive Susan. TOgether, they get the things all picked out and ordered and if we don't want to pay for them, we can let Nether, for she'll do it in spite of us and even tries to pretend that Susan earned the money working for her in the shop. We are in stitches all of the time trying to make our budget work with Susan and Hother trying to wreck it. 'We are at the point right now where Aubrey has put his foot down and told Mother that Susan can earn no money, but what we pay her to help at home and that whatever she does for her grandmother, is not to be paid for in any manner. "If Susan's grandmother buys so many things for her, it must relieve you of making her clothes, Hrs. AF.," I said. She answered, Heavens, I don't sew. If I did, it would be a matter of MOther buying the cloth, I suppose. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. Mother's a grand person, but it irritatrs us so to have Susan spoiled so. She's old beyond her years, and we are having a bad time keeping her from the boys. She's absolutely crazy and we've told her 'no dates until high school.' The eighth grade is too soon, I think. Thank Heaven, that's one thing Mother is on our side about. It's funny, but she worships Susan. She loves Milton, too, I know, but it's Susan she wants. Susan is just as bad. She'd live right over there if we'd let her. It just doesn't matter what she wants, Mother is right there to provide it. “It must not be difficult for Susan to acquire the 'new look' in her clothes, then Hrs. AF." She looked at me oddly, laughed a bit, looked at her husband in mute appeal and then said, NW'mother is the newest look in town, I'll wager. Not that she doesn't look right. She wears the newest things in spite of her age and looks just right for every occasion. Her speciality right now is hats, but she keeps up in everything, so you can see that Susan comes by it naturally. 590 As I looked at Mrs. AF.'s attire, I decided that perhaps she had not inherited her mother's sense of being well dressed. Hot that she looked anything but neat and well groomed, but she simply did not cligk as to looking modishly dressed. Her husband looked collegiate in sport jacket and the right accessories, while Hrs. AF. in her short black dress looked a little behind the times. Now Mrs. AF. said, “Susan has gone to black in her 'new look,’ but Mother has turned to purple and orchid and for Easter she's getting, so she says, a pink feather hat and she'd like to get me one too, but I can't seem to see it.” "How about Easter? Do you all get new clothes at that time?" I "I, asked. Again, Mrs. AF. answered and said, Iother and Susan will, if we allow Susan to have anything. How about you and Hilton, Aubrey?" Hrs. LF. had directed the question at her husband who now answered, Not me this year, and I'm not sure yet what Milt will hold me up for. I think he won't say anything about Easter, because we've picked out his suit for graduation and he wouldn't expect two, I hope. hiilt's pretty conservative. Thank the Lord one of them is. When Milt'was Susan's age, he'd saved enough money from working in the store to go to Washington D.C., and went with a bunch of other boys. If we'd let Susan loose like that, no telling what would happen. Funny thing, too, iilt is around the things in the store and.he's not as much interested as I'd expect him to be although he likes enough to wear and wants it to look alright. Milt is always thinking how he can make a cent and what he can do with it after he's saved enough. He'll be in college next year and I expect he'll perk up considerably and want a lot more than we can give him. He wants to go right now, and we hope it lasts. No, we don't know where yet. That'll be pretty much up to him. He's riled up right now about the senior trip and how much money everyone's got to save and he's thinking that going to a roller rink is silly kid stuff, just for kids Susan's age. When I was seventeen, I was a roller skating champion, or thought I was and when I was twenty- three, I was married and didn't have enough money to skate. Right, Edna Mae? 391 I saw a quick glance of affection before I asked, "What made you want to be a druggist, Hr. AF.?” "That's a long story. Sure you want to know?" he answered. I nodded, and he went on. well then, here it is. I always lived here in town and went to school here and I can.remember nothing that you'd be interested in about my childhood. I mean nothing nice anyway. Edna Mae's mother was the one who ran the business in her family. Well, my mother is the one who didn't, but I think she didn't have the strength to fight for anything. Did you see that room on the side as you came in? Well, once a long time ago, there was a barber shop out there on the corner and my dad ran it. 'When I was just a little fellow, my mother used to send me down town to the drug store and I made up my mind to run a drug store someday of my own, so we we wouldn't have to pay the druggist for the stuff he gave me for my father. Someway that clung to me through the years and of course I was interested, or I wouldn't have gone on with it. Then too, there wasn't enough money to do more than help me go to Big Rapids to school after I finished high school. After that I knew I wouldn't be able to buy a drug store of my own, so I worked in one until I saved enough for a venture in the clothing business and we're pretty happy with it now, that we have a good start. "was your father ill, that you had to go to the drug store so much," I asked innocently. He looked at me in astonishment. "You don't know about my father?" I shook my head in complete honesty. There was a moment's silence and husband and wife looked at each other, and then mrs. AF. said, "It can't hurt anyone to tell her and we thought everyone knew, anyway." Mr. AF. nodded his head and said, It's this way. my father drank. Not just social drinking, under- stand, but real. He still does. That's the reason I had to go to the drug store, to get something to straighten my father up so he could barber and earn as some money. He was probably one of the best barbers in the country. Still is, if he could stay sober long enough. He's our responsibility. my mother died while I was in high school and there just isn't anyone to help out. That's what comes of being an.only child. ‘we built the room for him.so he could try and sort of earn a living by doing differently. 'We thought it would help to have him earn some money, and take his mind off drinking. Nothing helps 392 and how he stands it, no one knows. Edna Mae and I have put up with it for years and there is the reason why I wanted to be a druggist. Funny reason, eh? ”Does your father live in his barber room, or with you?" It's fixed up for him to be by himself, but we have to take care of him as much as if there wasn't a separate room at all. Sometimes it makes us wonder and long ago I decided that there are many things worse than death. we let him do all of our barbering when he's sdber and pay him for it and a few old cronies come to him most of the time. we've worried so much about him trying to shave someone when he isn't right that we've about decided to take the chair and things out, but that would break his heart. Sometimes it gets me down and other times I take it in my stride pretty well. Actually, we mind more for the kids than for ourselves. Tell you one thing. though, I'd never survived it without my wife to help. ‘We used to think . that with her knowledge of chemistry and my knowledge of drugs that we'd get him cured, but not so. There's no cure for him. ”What are some of the things you do together, the family as a whole, I mean,n I asked. Both of them thought before answering. Mrs. AF. spoke first. I am beginning to think that the days of any family doing things together are past. We take Susan and her gang out to skate and leave them there for some other family to pick up, so we're not doing that together. 'we manage to eat our evening meal tOgether and almost always our Sunday dinner we have out, and usually that's the four of us. It's the one time I can get out of the routine and relax. School nights when the kids can't go out, we sometimes go to a movie, and that's about all we actually do. we are so busy earning a living that we rest all we can on Sunday. Mbther goes to church for all of us and Milton and Susan go with her sometimes. She used to be too busy when I was a girl, but I honestly think she enjoys the people she meets and she loves to dress up to go. She's more like a girl than I am. I made up my mind that I must call on the grandmother of this family; if for nothing else than.my own satisfaction. I asked, WNould.you think me presumptuous if I asked permission to call on your mother, Mrs. AL?" 593 I'd be delighted if you really want to. She'd be flattered, I know, to have a chance to have a part in your study and besides she lives for company and customers. You'll end up buying a hat, I'll wager. She'll have one she picked out just for you and the strange thing is, she does have an uncanny way of picking the right hat for the right person, doesn't she Aubrey? All but me, that is. I'm a great disappointment to her, but Susan surely makes up for it. "Possibly you'd like to meet my father, too,” said Mr. AF., "but I'd hate to do it. He wouldn't understand and he'd be sure to want to go on a binge afterward to compensate for us having asked a favor of him. Right now he's still in bed. Hasn't been up all day.‘. I nodded in agreement as I had no real wish to interview a man who had razors and shears available and who might resent my presence. Besides, courtesy demanded that I heed Mr. AF.'s suggestion that his father would not understand. I'Mrs. AF. has told me that her mother was too busy to think of church when she was little, and you have both said that you try to rest on Sunday.‘ They both nodded agreement and I asked, "'Will you tell me about your having gone to church or Sunday School when you were little, MT..AF.?” I used to goin Sunday School, but I think Mbther was ashamed to go to church, and when I got old enough, I was too. It's funny to me how I ever amounted to anything except that my mother encouraged me and Father did, too, when he was all right. He was fine for a couple of weeks at a time. I can't say that I was very religious if that's important. Still, I got enough out of it so that I want Milt and Susan.to go. It can't hurt them, Actually, Edna Mae and I belong to the Christian Church. 'We thought we ought to when we acquired two children. 'Ne help support it, but we just don't go regularly. Lazy, I guess.” "When you were a boy, do you recall about the way you dressed?” He shook his head, saying, 394 Can't say that I remember anything at all about the way I dressed as a boy, except the first long pants I had when I was fifteen and how I had hated my knee pants for a long time before that. I were those long pants that I'd wanted so long, and had felt so mean about, to the old skating rink up over the bank and I guess it's the only time I ever fell down. It took the front leg right out and I can see Mother's face yet when she saw those pants. They were a salt and pepper all tweed cloth and she didn't have a thing to mend them with and I had to wear my brand new pants with a patch on them. I remember yet how I hated my father for using the money up for drink when he could have bought me another pair of long pants. I'd had to wait for them.until I looked like a long-eared hound lopping out of those knee pants. Maybe that's a reason why I enjoy being dressed as well as I can now. It does something for me, yet, to put on a brand new pair of pants. Mrs. AF. then recalled, I went to Sunday School, too. I think one reason I liked to go was because I could get away from Claribel and not have to take care of her if I went. I suppose I liked it too, but mostly, I remember it was Claribel. I was always a little shy because I was afraid that someone might mention those dreadful corsets that my mother sold. I suppose we sound like heathens to you, but really, we think we're average citizens. "Will you tell me which one of you do most of the buying of clothing for your family?” Hrs. AF. laughed and said, Milton and his dad pick out theirs from the store and I have no idea of what they are going to bring home next. Susan and.Mother are way ahead of me on Susan's things, so that leaves me free to choose my own. I usually go to Saginaw or Lansing to get mine when some of my friends are going shopping or I go down on the bus and have myself a holiday with no one to bother me. Mr. AF. added, Yes, and she often comes home with some new chemical apparatus or the newest book out on chemistry instead of clothes. That's where IMilt and I have the advantage over her. ‘We can shop right in our own store where there aren't any women's things to clutter us up. ”Do you consider, Mr. AF., that your personal appearance is :bnportant in your business?" I asked. He looked at me and said, 395 I couldn't sell a nickels worth, even to the farmers, if I didn't look the part of a successful clothing man. People say, 'Now, I like that tie you have on. Find me something like that, can't you?‘ The way I dress has a lot to do with my making a living. Milt sees it too, and he's trying to slick up before he comes in the store to work nights after school. I think he is calling more of the boys his age, than I do. How long do I wear a suit? How long would you say, Edna Mae? After consultation, they decided that he averaged one new outfit every two years, because of his work in the store, while Mrs. AF. averaged but one in four years. ”But take Susan, now, she'd average one a month if we'd allow it. Hilt is about like me," said Mr. AF. I'Is there one color more than another that the whole family likes?n I asked. After a moments thought, Mr. and Mrs. AF. both shook their heads negatively. Hrs. AF. said, we like color, all of us, but there's none in partic lar that I know of. Susan has a pair of red jeans and a straw hat to match that all of us abhor, but that doesn't mean that we don't like red as a color. It's just that we don't like it for that particular thing. “Does it mean that you dislike having Susan wear such garments?” Again she shook her head. I can't see any objection to Susan wearing anything like that. It's just that red ones seem so loud, but Shirley P. got red ones, so of course, we had red ones at our house, too. Shorts are a different matter though. We don't approve of those for girls or 'women either. 'We both agree on it, but we don't win.out on it. Susan is not allowed on the street however, so we don't pay too Inuch attention to it. Her grandmother doesn't like it either, so we feel that it won't be too serious a problem, for she has too Inuch influence over Susan to make her want to hurt her. Trouble is, Susan can wind Mother around her little finger and she may gget her to wearing shorts, yet. Susan doesn't swim or she'd have lier in bathing. You see, Mother thinks that we should take care (of Susan's littlest whim.and when we don't she must make it up to liar. She is spoiling her when she does it, of course. 396 "Why, Susan has more clothes than her mother by far, I'd say,” said Mr. AF., "but then, so does Grandma H." I remarked that we had had a most interesting conversation and that I was grateful for their splendid cooperation. I assured them that they would be protected from publicity of any kind and that I would most certainly hold anything that they had told me sacred, in that I would discuss it with no one except as some part of it might appear in my study, without their family name. They invited me to visit them again. Since it was on Thursday, Milton would not have to go to the store, but had hoped to do some other things. Therefore, Susan was to practice her piano lesson while Milton was interviewed, so that he might get away early. At length, both the boy and girl arrived, although Susan came first. Her mother explained the plan to her, at which Susan rebelled. She was a pretty, well developed girl who looked eighteen rather than fourteen. Her blue eyes snapped when she Was told that she must practice .first. She sat down at the piano which was in a small music room. I heard.the keys crash and then Susan's voice saying, "CHRISTI" The exclanmtion was not in reverence. Her mother who had gone into another room heard it too, and went in vdnere her daughter was. ”Susan, just for that, you may not go skating Sainxrday'night. You may just go and watch the others.” Again, the keym; crashed and Susan said with deadly venom, "Oh hell!" "And for 597 that,” said her mother, "You may not go at all." There was silence in the music room for a long moment and then such a crash of discord that it actually hurt my ears. After some time, the practicing seemed to only go on in a desultory manner, which ended after she had been called into the living room to be interviewed. If her mother thought that I had heard what Susan had said preliminary to her practice, she said nothing. Milton, a young boy of rather serious aspect, came into the room, spoke courteously, and sat down. He looked clean and wholesome as a boy of seventeen should. we talked of the accident in the Ithaca schools, of the Lnglish Contest which had been in the papers and of other thin 8 until he seemed friendly and relaxed. At last, of his own accord, he mentioned the interview and expressed courteously as to the whys and wherefores. I explained, and the interview was begun. When Kilton was asked about his views on the sharing of the family income, Milton was very decisive in his answer, as indeed, he was about everything asked him. he said, I think that my father and mother are real fair and they do what they think is right, even when it hurts someone. I never have thought anything they did with money or anything was unfair. I work and get paid by the week. If I need school things, I don't have to pay for them as they would have to get them anyway. One thing is, my father ‘wants me to buy my clothes from the store and I think that's only ,fair. I pay for all of my own clothes, but if I didn't, I'd still get what I needed and could buy them myself. Sure, I can press them. I can sew on buttons, too, but I can't patch. Mbther does all that stuff. Susan's too. ”I suppose you have favorite clothes that you like to wear best of aJJl, don't you Milton, or is it only girls who are that way?" (Eirls sure are funny, if you are asking me. Susan is always saying, ”Khy'I just don't have a single thing to wear' when all the time 398 she has a regular 'Queen of Sheba' outfit. Sure, I have a few things I like better than others, but I'm.not sure of the reason. I think, though, it's the way they feel on me. I like 'em.to look the right way without touching me if you know what I mean. I've been getting tall so fast that Dad says the thing to do is to stop buying anything until I stop growing. 1’Asked about his feeling in regard to made over clothing, he said, Gee, I don't remember having any. maybe I did when I was little, but I can't remember it. Do boys get much of that sort of thing? I don't think any of the fellows at school do. at least I never saw any. I don't think boys in school need so many clothes that they'd have to have them made over. Sweaters and sport things is about all. "What do you do for amusement, Milton?" Let me think and I'll tell you. I monkey with my mother's chemistry stuff and I read the Science Magazine a lot. I go to the show and I'm a Scout. I don't daEEB, but my father says it's time I did and that I can't go to college and not dance, so when school's out, I'll learn from Susan. She can sure do it. I don't do anything much. Study a lot this year, though. Go to Sunday School almost every Sunday and that's all I can think of. Sure, I walk a girl home from the movie once in a while, but no one special. Asked if he dressed in any special way for any of the activities he had mentioned, Milton said, Just school things, except for Sunday School and then I put on my good suit. Gosh, I'm.not sure what the color is. I guess you'd call it a light brown. I know it's too light and my next color will be darker, but it hasn't come yet. It's kind of a blue, so I can use it next year. "Milton, tell me if you can, what you enjoy most at home.” ”That's easy,” he said. "I like having my folks and Susan, even if she is a pest, but I sure don't like to have to listen to her practice that piano. She only does it because Nether makes her.” "Tell me, do boys who are seniors in high school have personal Problems,'Milton?” The boy thought for a moment and then said, 399 Some of the problems are so personal they won't tell an;one. There is one problem that a lot of them have. That's knowing how to dress and some of them come in my dad's store to ask him. He's pretty swell, if you ask me, and the fellows all think so and that gives you a pretty good feeling. I told him I'd help take care of my grandfather for being so swell to the fellows. I'd do it anyway, of course. Grandpa's under the weather and he's old. ”You have a grandmother too, Milton?“ "Yep,'l he answered, "and I promised to take her for a walk. She's a lot of fun and good lookin' too." Asked whether or not he had ever been embarrassed in regard to his parents or sister's appearance, he almost squealed in his denial. "Of course I'm not. Why, I'll bet my dad is the best dressed man in this town and no one could have more than Susan does, and well, my mother sure never made me ashamed of her.” I'How would you classify your own appearance, Milton?" ”Just medium, I'd say, except that my clothes match up better than a lot of 'em. That's due to my dad's experience and I'd sure take his word for anything.“ At that moment, Susan came out of the practice room and was as docile as though she had not said the vehement swear words a short time before. She said to her brother, Milt, if you're going down town, stop at Shirley's and tell her to be sure to come over tonight, will you? Tell her to bring her diary over too, will you? Well hurry up then, and don't be such a drone. Tell her I can't go skating Saturday night, but that I think I can get Mother to change her mind. With this long message to deliver, Milton left with a courteous farewell. Susan was watching me covertly, and I said, ”Well Susan, I should imagine that you have a lot of things to do before dinner and I'll try not to keep you too long. What was that last piece you were playing?" 400 ”what, that old thing?” she answered. ”It was just one of the Mozart waltzes. Nothing much. I was trying to hear what you and Milt were saying, but I couldn't. Did he say anything about me?” I smiled at her and said, ”Well, I'll ask you the questions and then you can judge whether or not he did. He is pretty nice to have around, I should imagine." ”Shirley and I are just alike. we both have a brother older than we are and they're both nice most of the time, except when they act superior. Of course, we both like the other's brother better than our own.” "How about other boys. Do you like them, too?” She looked interested for the first time and said, ”Sure, but I can't go out in cars until I'm fifteen and I think that's silly. All the ones I like will be gone by then.” ”Won't the ones in your class be left, Susan?" ”What, these boys? They're icky. Who wants them? Shirley can't go in cars either. we did one night, though." Her lowered voice and furtive look toward the door, were significant. Asked about special clothes for dates, Susan chattered like a bird. The only thing of note was, "I just don't have anything to wear that's decent. I have to wear the same thing to Sunday School that I do for a date and it sure slays me.” When asked about personal problems, the girl said, LW'most personal problem is not enough clothes and no perfume, and now no pay for the work I do for my grandmother in her store. It's 401 not a bit fair and all because my mother don't approve of what we pick out and how much we pick out. I just won't work if I can't work for her and it's not fair. If I could, I'd go over there and buy half her shop and stay right there and work. She needs me, too. Do you know my grandmother? She's swell and she has the most modern ideas, not a bit like some folks. Now if she was my grandfather, it'd be different. Mother'd have a reason to holler. They're all jealous, is all, because they know that she likes me best, and she's got some money, too. ”Since you have nothing to wear, how would you classify your personal appearance in comparison.with that of your friends, Susan?" She colored a little and said, ‘Well, I suppose I have a few things that are all right, but not too many. If I must say it, I suppose I look fair. It wouldn't be doing right by Grandma if I said I didn't look nice, but just the same, I could swear. It sure gripes me! "Then you must have an opinion as to how the family income should be divided," I said. I have a lot of ideas, but none would suit them. I'm.a scatter ‘brain. I think I should get as much for an allowance as I was earning at Grandma's, and I don't care what they do with the rest of the money. Milt gets his pay for working with Daddy and I should get mine. New I can't even go skating without asking for the money and I can't go this week anyway all over a silly little thing. It burns me. I can't go to the show, I can't buy Seventeen and I can't get a milk shake. I"This must be serious, Susan. Have you figured a way to remedy things?" ”Oh, I can fix up the skating all right, but not my pay from Grandma. Maybe she'll tell my mother what she thinks, though. My grandmother can maybe get around it some way, but right now were stopped.‘ ”Do you press and mend your clothes, Susan?” ”I can press if I 'want 1x3,” she answered, "but I don't have much time. That piano lesson 402 takes up all my extra time. I would if I didn't have to practice.“ "Which one of your outfits of clothing do you like best?” This question brought a rather surprising answer. I like Shirley's blue dress best of anything I wear. I'm.going to have one like it. The neck is low and it has a long skirt. It's her date dress. No, I don't like blue best, but I like it. I think I like red best, because it does more for me than any"— other color. Kiss P. at school, said red was my color. She is pretty keen. Do you know her? She wears snappy clothes and she's not afraid to smile at us once in a while. "What do you think of cosmetics, Susan?” Nothing but lipstick is needed here and my mother never puts any- thing on her face, except a little powder, maybe. I tell her it's icky, but she won't do it. Sure, we both use deoderants and I use my dad's razor, but my mother don't know it. She never uses one, I know. Don't you think that everyone should? I don't know whose opinion I value most at home. Milt's, I guess. But Grandma's is the one I like to have the most because she always knows and if it's 'no', then she knows how to say it. Some people don't. I can't get her to go to the show with me, though. She can't hear very well you know and she won't go. I wanted her to go and see 'Forever Amber,' because my mother wouldn't let me go, and if Grandma'd gone too, it would have been all right. I didn't see any harm in going, but Daddy put his foot down too, and I didn't see it. Us girls read it at school, though. I wanted to see Linda Darnell in it. She's super, I think. Asked about made over clothing, Susan's answer was like her ‘brother's. She could not remember any. As to gifts for Christmas, Ehisan.said, "I sure do like to get clothes for presents, if someone picks them out who knows." "What do you enjoy at home the least, Susan?” Quick as a flash the answer came. ”The old music lessons and my mother saying I can't. There are some things I do like, but not right now. Not until I get my pay back.” 403 I told Susan that I wished her best of luck in finding a job so she could do her shopping again. ”Or,” I asked, "didn't you do it?" I did it with my grandmother out of her books. I'm going to ask if I can have an extension of time on it and maybe I can convince my father and mother that they are going to make it harder for them- selves if they don't change their minds. You see, they make mistakes even if Mbther don't think so. It was getting later than I had anticipated staying and I told Susan 'thank you' and called my farewell to Mrs. AF. who was standing in the doorway as I left. I was anxious to call on Hrs. AF.'s mother, even though it added extra hours of interviewing. I thought it might answer one or two questions that had been nagging at me. On the following Saturday afternoon, I called on Hrs. H., the grandmother to whom Susan seemed so devoted. I found her in her rather smart little hat, glove and undergarment shop waiting on a customer. The shop, which was like an enclosed perch on the side of her home, was small, but complete and modern as to display and content. I had known that the shop had opened there at that address, but since it was blocks away from the main street of the town, had not given it much thought. In fact, I had not even been aware of where the street was located. It gave me a pleasant surprise, therefore, to find the location so pleasant. Hrs. H. is a well preserved, rather plump woman with beautiful snowy white hair, which appears to be naturally curly. Her hair was dressed with good taste and her attire was that of one who shows by the way she dresses, her love of good clothing 0f excellent style, quality 404 and fashion. After purchasing a pair of much needed gloves, I asked Mrs. H. if she had time to visit a few minutes and expanded on the reason for my call. She had been prepared for the fact that I was to see her, but had not understood fully. I found that this woman was nearly deaf, which complicated everything as it is difficult to conduct any kind of conversation by yelling. I was able, after a few moments, to establish a method of conversation that served the purpose admirably. Briefly, it was this: I found, imrediately, that here was a person of rare good humor who loved to talk and who loved company. It was necessary that she understand what I wished. After that she carried on a conversation all by herself while I found it necessary but to nod or shake my head, to smile or to look concerned, and let her talk on. In fact, I had difficulty in stopping her once I got her started. We sat in her pleasant living room where she could see out into the shop. As it happened, to go so far into the residential district to buy articles which could be purchased down town, seemed to pay off. The thing that I told Mrs. H. was that the study was being made and that since her-daughter and family was a part of it, that I wished to include Iher as part of the family in the interviews. I thenzasked if she would conmmurt on her relationship to the family, bringing out any information in regard.to the questions which related to clothing that she could. Theseazyuestions, which were typed on cards, were shown to her. After that, I relaxed and listened. 405 I'd give a dollar to know what Eddie (Edna Kae) said to some of these questions, but I don't s'pose you' want to tell me? ‘Well, I know Eddie and I'll bet I could tell you. She's a fine daughter, don't think that I don't think so, but she's as old fashioned as she can be, and she don't think of clothes. Just her family and her stinkin' old chemistry. I tell you, I don't know why I ever was willin' to spend all the money I did to get her mixed us in that stuff. She's smart though, as all get out, but it's Clariuel that knows how to be smart and look like something at the same time. Claribel's Hg other dauxhter. Susan takes after me, or after Claribel, maybe. I don't know. Claribel's in Battle Creek teachin' school, but it took Eddie to get a man and Claribel's an old maid. Can't understand it. Eddie is a wonder girl, though, and she's awful good to me, but right now I'm on the rampage. Susan, that's my grand-daughter, I guess you talked to her, is my girl and I do a lot for her. Eddie don't understand girls. She forgets how a girl thinks and right now when Susan needs things to wear, Eddie and her husband raise a fuss and forbid the child havin' any clothes. It's a shame and I'm telling 'em 80. Why, Susan is my only grand-daughter and what are they for, if you can't do for 'em. It don't cost me much to do for her and I tell Eddie that right now when she's young is the time for her to have fun. I can't under- stand Eddie. She was always a funny little and not a bit like Claribel, and I can't get her to think that a woman is meant to dress up and look as pretty as she can. I'm not going to look for a man, but I still like to be in style. Eddie just likes plain things, but Claribel is different. Take this 'new look' thing you have here. Eddie thinks I'm too much for that, but Claribel likes to see me dressed up. She thinks black is for funerals, but Eddie thinks it's for every day. I think it's for a lot of good things, but I look better in colors now with my white hair. Eddie thinks colors are for someone younger, but I tell her I know more about style in five minutes than she'll know about with all her education. I wouldn't want you to let her know that I told you that, though. Again, I made the negative sign, and she continued, 'Why, Eddie won't waste time on keeping up with the latest style :magazines, and I read everything I can get from the companies I buy from, but I can't hear the radio well enough and so I don't bother with it. I don't think there's much to it anyway, but a lot of’noise in my head. 'Well, I guess I've told you everything I can, but I don't see as I've said anything at all. I've just rambled on like an old woman, haven't I? I always tell Eddie it's a good.thing I can enjoy my own company. She'd like me to live wififll them, but why should I? For one thing, I'm.too independent 406 and for another I wouldn't want to be near that old whelp they have over there. Course Aubrey can't help that, and Eddie is real good to help take care of him, but I'm not dead yet an' I can take care of myself. I need Susan, sometimes though, and I'm going to pay her for it. I don't care what they say : Lfter a few desultory remarks, Mrs. H. lasped into silence. I hum the opportunity to fairly scream my thanks in her ear and escaped before she could start again. CLSE STUDY l4 BUSINESS TIIE JJ---I“;‘J..IILY 32:3st CF: "’1‘ “WT“. AGE FORTY TEE‘ESTEEE:NLGE TWIETY-XIXE KIRILYN, AGE SIXTELM KAITIIL‘ZJI' , AGE EIGHT The JJ. family live in the same building where they conduct a business in groceries and meats, the store occupying one half of the building and the living quarters the other half. The building is a one story structure of wood and has been renodeled until it presents rather a flourishing picture. The living quarters are small, but clean and comfortable without being pretentious in any way. It was an easy matter to go into the store and make my request for an interview. This was done and an appointment was made for a Sunday, between the time the JJ.'s returned from church and their Sunday dinner,'which was to be at three o'clock. At the appointed time, I was seated in the living room of the JJ. home explaining the purpose of my visit in more detail than had 'been.done before and found that I had an interested audience. Mrs. JJ. sent little Kathleen out to play with a neighbor child who was hanging alxaut the outside of the store, and asked the older daughter, Marilyn, to workzwith the dinner. Her husband went back into the store which ‘was to be kept open until two o'clock in the afternoon. She remained ‘with.me and the interview began. live than 408 Mrs. JJ. began by saying, ”I was born in Chicago in 1911 and lived there until I was thirteen and ready to go to high school, and then we moved to Middleton here in Hichigan. I guess that's about all.’ After a few more moments of casual talk, I said, ”But Mrs. JJ., you must have had an interesting life in Chicago. Had your father and mother lived there when they were children?‘ my father didn't. w mother did,’ she answered. I felt that I was not getting the desired results and asked her to think for a moment and then tell me as much as she could of her parents. She hesitated and finally said, Well, you see, the name of J. is German, but the name Fruehauf is more German and that was my name before I was married. My father came over from Germany when he was eighteen and went to work for a big clothier in Chicago and after a week he was put in as fore- man over the workers in the shop. You see, he had been working as an apprentice back in Germany, in Gremen. He says he saved and worked hard to come to this country. He had some cousins in Chicago and that’s how he picked that place to come to. He had been an apprentice for four years in Branen and says they're more strict in Germany than in this country. He used to tell about the hard time he had understanding the Americans who worked under him, but the boss knew that he was a better tailor than any of the Americans and had to put him in charge if he wanted the best work done. Some of the people didn't like it much, I guess, but that's the way he says it was. One of his cousins worked for Hart, Sohafner and Ear: there in Chicago and kept wanting hill to try and get a job there. His cousin told the head nan at Hart, Schafner and Mar: what my father was earning at the other place, and he said'to tell him to come over. When Father showed him some of his work, here he offered him twice as much to work for him and he took it. I don't know how long it was he worked there, but he finally opened his own shop and had twenty people working for him. Where did your mother fit into this very interesting picture, “I". JJeT. I ICkede Oh, Mother was in Chicago and she was German too, but she was born there in Chicago and Father married her when he was there but a 409 couple of years, I guess. She was one of the girls who bested. I don't know much about it except that she lived with an uncle and aunt and that her parents had died in Germany. lbther died soon after we moved to Middleton from Chicago and my father is married again and lives in California now. He just went there last year. Hrs. JJ. paused and I asked her to tell me more about her girl- hood, and how her father happened to leave a business in Chicago to live in a little town like Hiddleton Michigan. We had a house in Chicago from the time I can remember. It was on South Normal Boulevard and my father's tailor shop was right beside it. My mother worked in the shop but never at the real tailoring. It was my father who made all of our coats and suits, and his own, too. Now, I beg him to make things for all of us but then I never wanted him to. I guess it was that he alwayw said, (Plain and dark and nicely tailored will be best' about everything we had. You see, in those days I think he applied the same thing to girl's and women's clothing that he did to men's. Now, he'll make a suit of colored cloth if it's’of good quality where he wouldn't used to think of such a thing. That is, he will if you can get him to make anything at all. I know how I must have looked all right in m strictly tailored clothes but I wanted bright, pretty things like the other girls had and until I got almost grown up, I felt a little cheated although Father never knew quite how I felt. It wasn't one of those things you talked about much. Ihe few times I ever mentioned to IV mother how awfully tired I was of having my things so plain and dark, qr mother said, '30 dear child, your father knows best about clothes for our Georgiana', and ours was not a home where a child argued. Our girls know nothing of courtesy as compared to what I knew when I was a little girl. I remember my mother taking something from an old trunk once and when I asked her what it was, she showed me a piece of cloth that was a beautiful shade of blue and said it was something my father had brought from Gemany that was’his mother's and when I said I'd like a dress like that she said, 'Iour grandmother's father was not a tailor, my child.’ You asked why we left Chicago. ‘My father had to get my mother out of the city, the doctor said, and anyway he was getting a little tired and he had made some money. He said he'd like to see if he could earn a living any other way than with'his shop. It was really on account of w mother's health, though, and he only said what he did to make her stop worrying. He found out about a store for sale in liddleton some way and bought it and moved there, but my mother died. He stayed until I was out of high school and then I took nurses training for a year in Saginaw, and Father moved to 410 Aha and lived in a room and did tailor work again. He used to go to Ithaca, too, and interpret for the prisoners who couldn't speak English. He could interpret three languages, but he can only speak Geman. He's happy now and doesn't have to work. He didn't have to when we left Chicago, but it's hard to get him to stop. He's gotten so he doesn't care much about making things except for himself and he still makes all of his own things. John and I were married while I was still in Saginaw and here we are with a store and two girls. I decided to ask her some of the more personal questions, leaving those of a general nature for her husband or for the two of them together. I explained what I had in mind and found that such a procedure would fit in with her plans much better than an other way, as she was beginning to feel that the dinner might need some attention from her. 'How do you feel that you influence your family most in regard to their clothing wants and needs?‘ I asked. She thought seriously for a monnt and then said, Fell, for one thing, I have always remembered my own experiences and have tried to avoid the things that made me feel badly when I was a child. Even Kathleen has a word to say about what she wears and I try to be patient with her when she changes her“ dress three or four time in one day, or sometimes in one morning, before she goes to school. She's in the third grade this year and she informs us that all the girls in her grade are supposed to be big enough to decide what to wear to school. I think the teachers encourage it. Don't you? Marilyn is clothes crazy and we have to hold a tight rein on her or she'd bankrupt us. She knows that we have lots of responsibilities and tlmt things cost a lot, and that we have to figure pretty close to live like we do. Sometimes I think I don't influence her enough, but of course she's only fifteen although she's a junior this year. llarilyn skipped a grade once, but I wish now we hadn'tallowed it. She's so young to be in the eleventh grade, I think. She helps in the‘store and I think that's helping her understand money better. No, we don't have a budget, but we figure up weekly profits and expenses and she helps with that. At least it has made her know why we don't get a new car this Spring. She has a complex about our car and 411 and acts ashamed of it. Oh yes, she chooses her own clothes if thq don't cost more than we can afford. Sometimes I buy her something for a present if we've been away like in Pontiac for the weekend, and she always likes it. We bought her nothing but clothes for Christmas and she just loved them all. Of course we always know about what she wants. She always sees to that. Yes, John enjoys shopping for the girls as much as I do. I think he's a little more conservative than I am, is all. Marilyn is real thoughful of her father and me and often offers to wait for something if we will get what we need first. We hardly ever do it but we did let her wait for her shoe skates until we got a suit for John. He really needed it and Narilyn was real sweet about it. 'e tell her she ' can't skate all of the time anyway. Sixty cents a night is a lot of money, and by the time she goes to a show and skates and buys the junk all the girls do, it takes quite a lot. She'd like to get a job, but her dad tells her he needs her in the tsore. When asked about the selection of clothing within the family, Hrs. JJ. continued, 0h, John and I shop together a lot. It's one'of the times we can be together and not be tied down to the store. He usually go on Saturday night when Mr. Smith can take care of the store alone. It is always quiet on Saturday night in the store. We give each' other our opinions and then separate and do as we please. We have an agreement that we won’t gripe about what the other one has bought once it's done. It works, too. Khan the girls go to pick out their things, I usually go alone with them as one of us must be in the store daytimes and we never take the girls on our Saturday night trips, except during the holidays. I don't'sew much for aw family, I'm ashamed to say that I never' learned. I think I saw so much of it when I was a child that it made me never want to try. My mother never actually sewed much. It was w father'whc wanted me to learn to tailor. He never talked of sewing, only tailoring.’ Oh, I mend our clothes and press them and sew on the buttons, but I don't make' than. I wish now that I could, and have thought some of learning, but I can't get away from the store long enough. I think it would be cheaper if I could, wouldn't it? It was now after one o'clock and Mr. JJ. was reltred of his. _ duties in the store so that we might talk together. He came in wearing his white apron and sat down looking disgruntled. I found thathewas distributing his funds and was disturbed over the seeming negligence 412 of his clerk, Mr. Smith, who had worked on the evening before and he had just found a mistake that he had made. I started him on the routine background questions and listened intently. I was born in Saginaw some forty years ago and my parents still live there. ‘0' father used to be connected with the glass works there, but he don't work now and he and mother take it easy. They deserve it, too. I have one brother who manages a theater there, so when we want to drive down, we can go to a show anytime we want to on passes. The girls think we should go practically every week. We do go down once in a while. I like fine girls to see their grandmother and grandfather as often as they like and can, as they are the only one they have around here anymore. Their grandfather Freuhauf is out in California and they never knew their grandmother Freuhauf. Asked about nationality, he said, J. is Germn. I was born in Saginaw, but my folks came over from the old country when they were young. You just ought to hear IV dad tell about it. You know there's quite a settlement of‘German Lutherans in Saginaw and around there. When the war was'over, we thought maybe Dad and Mother could go back, but they're getting too old and they don't feel that they can use the money it would take. I sure wish that we could take them over. I've always ' ' wanted to go and while I didn't really want to get into the service in the last war, I thought that if I did I'd never come heme without visiting Germany. w folks came from near Frankfort. I've always wished I could speak German, but my brother and I were brought up to speak English, and neither of us can do more than recognize a few words here and there. It's a shame too, you know it? I nodded my head in sympathy, and asked, "Tell me about when you were a boy, llr. JJ. Did you always have an easy time of itl'v We were brought up to work like the devil. I think that's why I'm so tired now. Both of us boys, (we were only a year apart) had paper routes from the time I can remember and’whsn we quarreled ' about which one made the most money in a week, my father made the one who boasted give his extra to the church. After a while we learned to fight in private. Once my mother caught us doing that and I can remember yet what she did. She said that this time she would not tell our father we had disobeyed him and quarreled, and then she said, 'John, you are oldest. You I will punish.' She did too. She made me take my weeks money and buy my brother a 415 pair of artics so his feet would not get so cold. That cured me but Tony had to get his lesson, too. He got it when she caught him, and made him buy cloth for me two shirts and he had to wait for hiSe “Your mother sewed for Tony and you, than?” I asked. Mother sewed for us all. She never went out except to church or to the neighbors or to bay things, and she didn't do much of that. Father and us boys dd most of it. She sat and sewed all the time until she was old and bent before her time I think. I think she was lonesome and it gave her something to do. Anyway, she did it and that's that. Sure, I guess we liked to have her sew. I never thought of it. I'm sure my father wouldn't have liked it if she didn't, bor he always said wanen belonged at home taking care of their families. I think he had something there, too. Not that I have anything against women working, but I think it's better. 'You mentioned giving your money to the church. Will you tell me more about your going to church when you were a boy?‘ Iell, for one thing it stuck because I still go. We all do. Once in a while we miss because of sickness or something. But I say once a German Lutheran, always a German Lutheran, I guess. I never remember not going to church when I was a boy except when I was sick. If it ever occured to us to not want to go, Father and Mother took it out of us in a hurry. I think it's a crime the way young people of today ignore church. Our girls go but sometimes Marilyn manages to get out of it. I'll have to admit that I keep the store open ' on Sunday and I'm not strict like my folks about a lot of the things, but I believe we're too lax now-a-days. Ihen my father wouldn't ‘ permit us to eat food that hadn't been blessed, he blessed it. But we eat.half our meals one of us at a time and when we have a bless- ing it s Kathleen who says a little ditty about a bird. It's my fault as much as anyone so I'm not complaining, but I don't tell my folks when I see them, either. W mother would think that her son was ruined if she knew that we played cards past midnight on ’ Saturday night and that we scramble hard to get dressed in time to make church on Sunday morning. 'Dolyou remember how you and your parents dressed to go to church, Hr. JJJ' I don't remember anything about church in particular. That is, the way we dressed, except that I remember about our long black hose, the way they drooped around our legs. How in heck were boys supposed 414 to keep those stockings up, anyway? Mine always hung down around w shoe tops and I can remember my mother saying, just as we'd go into the church, 'Hist', and I knew that meant for me to get my stockings up. I hated them and always wanted to give mine to charity, and W long underwear along with it. I can feel the prickly wool and see the gray look of it yet. I remember once of putting the legs of the underwear up under my knickers and leaving my stockings off. I'd got away with it too, if m brother hadn't tattled, because my overcoat came to m shoetops. I got paddled for that one, but it didn't make me like it any better and I'd freeze now rather than to wear long underwear. I used to say that sometime I'd have a store and that I'd never sell stockings, and I don't. ”Do you find that clothes are important to you, Mr. JJ. 1" I asked. 'Not just for warmth or modesty, but for other reasons?’ With complete seriousness he said, Oh sure, I think they are important to everything you do, and everyone likes to look decent, but I could never see why some people have such a time over them. I want a good suit and a second best one to bang around in. I can wear a suit six or seven years and still have it look all right. I feel my wife into think- ing I do my own picking out, but I get her to say first what she likes. Her taste is better than mine in such things. No, I don't much care what color anything is. The thing I do care about is that everything matches up. Tie, socks, suit and shirt. I don't care what color it is. but I don't like mixtures. I felt that it was time to finish the interview together with Mrs. JJ. as we had arranged, and she came in smiling and in a different dress than she had worn before. ‘I had time to help Marilyn and get dressed for dinner, both. She is going to dress while we talk and then she will be ready for you,’ she said. There were but a few things that I wishedto ask. I had neglected to question Hrs. JJ. in regard to church as I had been so_ interested in the other things she had told me and had forgotten it. II..I..:1‘ 415 I asked her now about her church activities, and she answered, I honestly can't tell you how it happened that.my father wasn't as strict a Lutheran as John's father, but he wasn't. I think he was so busy tailoring and trying to get his own shop that he let it slide. 'lhen I write again I'm.going to ask him. I used to go with my mother on Sunday afternoons and the thing I liked best was the lighted candles around the altar. I still like that. It's one of the dearest memories I have of my mother those dusky Sunday after- noons and the lighted candles. ”Will you both tell me what the new styles in clothes have meant to you as a family? The so cdled 'new look' is what I mean.' I looked at Ire. JJ. first and she said, It surely has affected us'with Marilyn, but not with Kitsy. She's too young, I think. Marilyn likes to look exactly as the other girls look, I think. .Lt least she is always saying 'I simply don't have a thing to wear.' Still, as I said before, she is pretty good about it. 'Wouldn't you say so, John? Thus appealed to, John said, ”Well, she's good sometimes and sometimes she isn't. Just depends on what she's after, I'd say. Seems to me she wants plenty, but I wouldn't say that the 'new'look' has done anything serious to us. I like the long skirts, myself.” Hrs. JJ. added, 'lhen I stop to think about it, Marilyn has:more 'new look' than I do. I'm still wearing most of sq short things yet. You see, if I could sew, I could make them all over. Guess I'll have to take ' some of them.to Hrs. C. and ask her to make them over for Kathleen. Her husband grinned at her as he said, 'There goes the profit, George." 'By the way, I like your name very‘much, Hrs. JJ. I have not known anyone of that name before," I said. She smiled at me and said, 416 1U father couldn't bear to waste anything. It was a good old German custom to name a child so that the name would fit either sex. Georgiana could be either. George for a boy and Anne for ‘ girl. "How do you feel about the wearing of slacks, jeans and that sort of clothing?” I asked. This brought forth no cment at all except, We have no objection to them if they are worn for the right things, do we John?“ Hr. JJ. shook his head and said, Now some of the get ups the girls wear, I don't like. I don't like to see my neighbor's wife going down the street in her bathing suit or coming into the store in it and I don't like Marilyn to wear shorts even around the house. We battle about that every once in a while, but I come out on top. It's different with a little girl. 'lhrilyn really don't think they are right for the street, John,‘I said his wife. ”She Just thinks it night be all right around the house but she really wouldn't wear them down town.” 'She won't wear them anywhere if I know anything about it,‘ Mr. JJ. answered emphatically. 'Do the girls wear hats to church, Hrs. JJ? 80 many don't. I suppose Kathleen would be too little, wouldn't she?‘ larilyn does, of course, but Kathleen wears her hood and in the su-sr goes bareheaded. No one in our church goes without a hat and that's one of the things that Marilyn holds upon, because if church takes a hat, it takes hose too, and she can always say that she needs new hose for church. 'lhat are some of the things you do together as a family?" I asked. This question was directed at Mr. JJ. who said, 417 Not much anymore since we have the store and Marilyn's in high school. Church is about all, and if we let Mr. Smith go we can't do that, either. One of us will have to be in the store all morning. Once in a while we go on a drive on Sunday but llarilyn hardly ever goes. She has too many other interests. Can you think of anything else we do? His wife shook her head and said, ”On Christmas Eve we have a Christmas story together, but that's something we only do at that time of year.‘ 'How about the radio, do you listen to that together‘?‘I I asked. 'Oh, we keep the radio out in the store for the customers who have to wait. Re have our record player in here,” answered Hrs. JJ. ”Do you have plans forcollege for the girls?‘ Both parents looked thoughtful and then Mr. JJ. said, 'If they get anywhere they'll have to go, but they'll have to be willing to work so it all depends on how nmch ambition they have." Mrs. JJ. nodded her head in approval and added, John and I re willing to work hard and help Marilyn all we can, but she's got to work. I think she has it in her but we haven't decided anything yet. One thing I do know is that we haven't ' been able to save enough yet so we can be sure of helping her all the way through. She will have to grow up a bit'more than she has at present, but she will. we want her to have something we didn't. I could have as far as the actual money was concerned, but my father said he was a successful business man and never - went to college. And John's father didn't think college amounted to much either. v _ Little Kathleen, or 'Kitsy', as they seemed to call her, came in from play looking frozen and her mother hustled her off to he made ready for dinner. Marilyn came in looking charming and pretty. 8he seued completely sure of herself as she smiled and said, 'Is it w turn next?‘ 418 ”larilyn,” I began, ”Tell me what you think about the sharing of the family income.” The way I think absut the sharing of our income isn't any reflection on u parents, llrs. King, but I just don't think they understand about it. I work in the store and Daddy gives me money when I ask for it, but I don't want it that way. I want a Job where I can be paid every week. This way if we have a poor week in the store, Daddy and Mother say, 'We can't afford to pay you this week, Marilyn', and I have to wait. They don't really pay me anyway. Just give me some money, but not any set amount. If I'm lucky I get enough to bw what I need, but if I'm late from school, I don't get any. I want to have a job at the drug store and I'll always know what I'm getting. Yes, I get u clothes out of the money, but when I want something special, Daddy says, 'But you didn't earn that much this week.' I know I take a lot of clothes. I had mentioned the plaid dress Marilyn was wearing, and she said, ”I don't like to wear it to school, though. Almost all the girls have one practically like it.” It made a good moment to ask her how she would compare her appearance with that of her friends, and after thinking, her answer was, ”I'm practically bound to say that I think I compare well with the other girls. I wish, though, that I could say I think I don't and then maybe you could get mt folks to get me some new clothes.” Asked as which of her clothing she liked best, Marilyn said, I don't know. I like a lot of things I have. If I have to choose something I guess I'll say nw blue dress. I like it because I like that shade of blue and I hope it lasts a long time. I like' the way it's made too. When I get in the senior class next Pall,. I'm'going to ask m Grandpa Tony to make me a suit. Mother thinks I'm too young this year and I suppose she's right, but next year she won't care I'm sure. Grandpa's a tailor you know and he can make practically everything. I wanted her to let me ask him to make me some wool dresses, but she wouldn't. He wants me to go out where he is and maybe I'll go in the sunner. I could save enough to go on if Daddy would pay me a regular salary. 419 ”Whose opinion do you value most about the way you look, Marilyn?” Promptly the answer came, llother's. Daddy is sometimes a little prejudiced, but Mother isn't. He likes my long things, though, and he helped pick out w clothes they gave me for Christmas and they were super. It's mostly things like my shorts that he has a fit about. I tease him and make him think I'm going to put them on and go out in the store and he blows up every time. Personal problems? I think I've told you. Just about the job.... Oh, I have a few little things. Mother has been cross at me for ruining one of aw good sweaters under the arms. I was trying out a new deoderant and didn't let it dry before I put on w sweater and it practically took the whole arm out. 'Daddy said I might better save my money and use soap and water, but of course I do that, too. It was that new one that sprays out of a cute little bottle. All of us girls try out all the new stuff at the drug store and Daddy says if we don't watch out we'll take the skin right off us. One of the girls put hair remover on her eyebrows and it didn't do a thing, but I won't do that. I won't even put it on my legs. I'm afraid of being burned or something. So far, I've just used a razor under any arms to keep the deoderant acting better. Mother is afraid I'll make the hair on my legs stiff if I use a razor on them. It isn't bad enough to bother anyny. Will you tell me about the things you do for amusement?” I dance, skate, have my music, go to shows and read. Quite a list, don't you think? I like to skate best, but can't go more than once a week. I can go to one show and have one date with a boy, but I only go with Dan once in awhile. I havs'more fun with a whole bunch of girls unless we all have a date. ”How do you dress for dates, lbrilyn?” She looked at me queerly before she said, ”Dress? I guess just as usual except when I've gone to Saginaw end then I've worn my blue dress I told you about. It just depends on where we are going and what we are ”going to dae- ”Do you have a favorite movie star?” This question brought 420 nothing but, ”Gee, I don't think so. I like all of them.” ”Which magazines that you read do you like best?” Very quickly, she answered, ”I like Seventeen best of all. It has stories for m age, lots of clothes and articles on grooming. Most of the girls like it.” ”Can you tell me what you enjoy most in your home , Marilyn?” I don't know that I ever thought of it, but I think I enjoy being treated like I think a girl should be when she is growing up. All but about the job, anyway. If you'd said what didn't I like about home I could tell you in a hurry too. It's our car. I do so want Daddy to get a new one. He lets me take the car, but it isn't much fun. It's so old. Little Kitsy came in clean and shining and smiled at her sister. ”Is it aw turn yet,” she asked. Marilyn; looked at me for her answer and I nodded at her and drew the little girl with the golden curls and chubby face to aw side on the davenport. Marilyn excused herself with a word of admonition to her sister, ”Behave yourself‘Kitsy.” The child tossed her head and said, ”She always tells me.” ”Now Kathleen, or would you rather I called you Kitsy? I'm going to ask you to tell me all you can about the clothes you-wear. I'd like to know a lot about them. ” The little girl nodded . ”Tell me first what you like the very best of all the things you have to wear.” She stuck her tongue in her cheek and said, I like my red dress and my red snow suit'and w red mittens. law says I'm 'Red Riding Hood' in them. Ham and I bought '. and Mama said I could go again because I was easy on the pocket bOOke ”lould you like to have a dress or anything that is like what some of the girls you play with have?” ”Just a thing that's fuzzy on the inside like Sharon has. I don't know what you call it.” I guessed that she meant a cow girl gerkin and found that I was wrong. She meant 'a thing in her snow Unite. When I asked whether she would rather wear a dress, coveralls or a suit, she said, I like to wear dresses and aprons and my apron has embroidery on it. My doll has one too, and I got her for Christmas. She has a house that Daddy made her and it has shelves in it for her hats. She's the best present I got except my bathrobe. ”Do you sew dresses for your doll, Kitsy?” She shook her head and said, ”Her grandma didn't show me how yet.” ”Do you mean your grandmother in Saginaw?” I asked. No, I mean Mannna. She's W doll's grandma. My doll has lots of ‘ clothes that came with her and she has red mittens just like mine. w llama found them. She's got a lace shawl, too, and a red caps that 1y grandam in Saginaw made to go with her mittens. ”Does your grandma make things for you too, Kitsy‘l'l ”She's old,” commented the little girl, ”but she fixes my grandpa's socks and she buys me things.” ”What does Marilyn have that you would like to have just like it?” She puckered her brow prettily and said, ”Her shoes without any toes or heels.” ”Do you earn some money and what do you use it for‘Kitsy?” m daddy lets me earn some money when I take things’over to Mrs. Church that she can't carry an' I put it in my bank. When I get it full I'll do something. I don't know, but maybe I'll get Daddy to put an upstairs in my doll's house. CASE STUDY l5 BUSINESS THE E ---FA..‘.(ILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE THIRTY-EIGHT THE MOTHER, AGE THIRTY-FIVE VIRGINIA, AGE SIXTEEN RONNIE, AGE FIFTBEN TINY BABY This family of five live in the upstairs apartment of a Bakery where Mr. K. is his own head baker, although he has help from a com- petent male worker and has an able assistant in the beautiful woman who is his wife, and who manages the front part of the Bakery a great share of the time. It was she who said that I might visit them for the interviews if I cared to call enough times to catch them all at liberty. I agreed, and it was with difficulty that all of them were contacted. Four separate calls were made, the first being on Mr. K., who took time out from decorating cakes to talk to me. I expressed a real interest in what he was doing, and in return he seemed to be genuinely interested in my work. It was explained and the questions began. Mr. K. answered the first question by saying, I was born in a little town in the upper peninsula where everything was'rock and sand and lots of space. lhen I was a'very little slmrver I remember sitting on the shore and watching the boats in the waters of Lake Superior. It was Copper Harbor where we lived and my father worked on one of the boats and he used to take me once in a while if I'd been a very good boy. To be good I had to fulfill a 423 lot of ifs and ands. I had to be clean and not saucy to m mother. I had to take my nap without a whine and I had to do IV work. At the end of a week my mother chalked these things off the chart and if I Imd a good score, I could go on the boat. If not, he never once took me. I don't remember much more than that about my little boyhood. I rananber the cold and the snow and the bitter walk to school. There wasn't a church, but sometimes there were meetings in the school house, but I can remember them just very hasy, as though it must have been a dream. When I was bigger, I remember working harder and taking more responsibility when aw father went away. lb' mother was Just as good as aw father, but it was always my father I liked best to see and to be around. I think the reason was that he looked like the blue water with his blue eyes matching the trim on the boat he used and his blue coat, which was darker, but a nice blue Just the same. He always seemed so strong and I was never afraid when I was with him in the boat, even if it stom- ed and once when it was a particularly bad one, he told me Bible stories to keep me from being scared. He and w mother never went to the school house meetings much for they didn't believe in revivals, and that is what they had there, but they were good people and believed in religion. I liked the stories, but I never liked the verses I had to learn when I went to nw aunt'Sarah's house, out a few miles. I'd go so I wouldn't hurt her feelings, but I got so I wouldn't go unless my mother made me. ' When she asked why I didn't want to go, I said I was sick and that worked a few times. Then aw mother got suspicious and made me tell why. After that, when I went to Aunt Sarah's, there weren't any verses to be learned and reported on. You know, I think now that Bible verses wouldn't be such a bad thing after all, and that they might do Ronnie sale good, because he sure needs something to get him going. But I'd hesitate to say it would be verses as much as I hated than. I finished growing up there where we lived until I was ready to go to high school, and after that we lived in Traverse City. Then I went to take shortcourses in baking, because I'd always'wanted to learn the trade. I got the bug when I was in highs chool, because I worked nights and Saturdays in a bakery and I got so I knew a lot about, but not enough. I got married in Detroit and together we nade up our minis to come here and start a business. There was a ‘ bakery here ant burned out once and it left the place without one. We seem to make out pretty well here and I sure am busy and keep the fuily pretty busy, too, except Ronnie seems to have lots of time on his hands in spite of everything. I sensed that Ronnie was a sore spot for some reason and decided to pursue the subject. 'Let's see, Ronnie is about how old?” I asked. 424 'Fifteen,‘ was the brief answer. ”Then he is just a sophomore?" I asked. I had hit upon part of the trouble, for he said, Il'hat's just it. He isn't. He's only in the seventh grade this year and fifteen years old: Why, I was in the tenth grade and his mother and his sister both were. There's no reason why he couldn't be too, if he would. Of course, he had a bad time in the fourth and fifth grades and his fifth grade teacher wanted to put him in the remedial room, but his mother wouldn't hear of it, and so here we are with him in the seventh grade. Ronnie is girl crazy and wants to be out nights, and a seventh grader shouldn't be out with girls, do you think? I've tried everything I know. He wants money and will take a paper route to earn it, but he's no good here in the bakery as he spends all his time talking to the girls and only waits on the girl customers, so I've put a stop to that. He wants to dress like nobody's business, but that's just for the girls too. He things he's old enough to be out until eleven or twelve every night, but he needs to be studying and sleeping or he'll never get out of the grade he's in at school. I know we made a mistake when we didn't take advantage of the remedial room at school, but u wife wouldn't listen and so here we are. If you have any suggestions, I'd sure appreciate it. 'Tell me, llr. N., do you bw Ronnie's clothes for him?” He shook his head and said, I'm too tied down here at the bakery to even buy 10 own. ‘leuld that help? Hy wife gives him money that I wouldn't give'him and he buys most of them himself. She helps pick out a suit, but that's all. He's so rattle brained that I don't want him tohave much moneyat a time. I wish I knew the best solution. I've thought about sending him to a vocational school, but his mother objects to that too, and I guess we'll just have to wait and see. He don't apply himself and that's half the tough trouble, I think. He can't read properly and I think that's the basis for everything else. If I thought these Bible verses would help any, I'd sure make'him do them. I shouldn't burden you with aw worries about w son. If my wife would only see it my way, I think I could manage him better, but you knew how mothers always act about their sons, or don't you? .‘How about that daughter of yours, Ir. L? Does she give you some worries, too, or is it only boys that cause trouble?‘ 425 Well, Virginia sure caused me some trouble a few weeks ago when she fell at the skating rink and got all her front teeth knocked out. A big dentist bill and a doctor bill were bad enough, but the sight of her with all those teeth hanging loose and the blood streaming was worse. How it's all over and she has false teeth in there, and she thinks she's a lot happier. Her front teeth protruded a little and she was self conscious about it. I guess she does look better now. She says she mn't have to try so hard to look better in other ways now, that her teeth are straight. 'How do you feel about the 'new look' in connection with your fuly' Hr. K0,. Oh, you mean the 'new look' clothes. Well,'I'd say tlmt it wouldn't smke much difference what I thought. We have it in all it's glory at our house. That's what I was telling you about Ronnie, only I dich't think of it as the 'new look.' I guess the only thing I don't like is the fact that I dcm't want Ronnie to have the clothes, unless he does better in school. I know he is clothes crasy and it's all because he doesn't do much but think of the girls and try to make an' impression on them. Virginia is more popular than she was last year. I guess you'd call it popular anyway. She goes out with the boys more anyway and seems to have a lot of good times, but I don't worry about tint so much. Virginia can take a twenty dollar bill and come back with a little change and something to wear, but not Ron. But about the 'new look.' My wife is not bad looking, you know, and I'd want her to have any kind of look that she wants. She dresses to suit herself, but I like what she wears, unless it's men's clothes and I don't like thu on any women. 'How about shorts for wmen and sun suits” None of than. I like women to wear dresses. Especially the women in my family. I suppose I got tlmt from my mother as she was dead set against all tl-mse things. Like I've aluye said, I'd like Virginia to be like aw mother, but I don't think she is. Mother died soon after we moved to Traverse, so Virginia's not had the privilege of knowing her. W dad's been gone since Ronnie was a baby, so he's not had the chance that I did, to know a gallant gentlemen like aw father was. If Ronnie could have gone out in the boat with his grandfather like I did when I was a little boy, it miglt have made a difference, maybe. 'Will you tell me some of the things you do with your family” Mostly work, Mrs. King. It's too bad,'too, but that's how it is. Is even eat in relays most of the time. Of eourse, now that we have the baby, it makes it a little harder, but we had to do it before that. We see the bakery takes up most of our time and if we don't let it, then we can't make a success of it, for to do a lltl‘l‘l 426 good job takes all our time. I bake‘on Sunday for Hondaynorning A did if I'm to gate bakingat twelve o'clock, I have to get my sleep in the day. The only time we sleep is on Sunday morning and now with the baby we don't do much of that. The kids‘ have resented the baby, so that we don't ask then to do too much for him yet. He deftly turned the cake he was finishing and held it up for my. inspection. It was a miracle of roses and swirls, and really‘beautiml. 'Ihat a beautiful color," I remarked. I'I think pink is my favorite color anyway.” . g V I'Pink's all right for a cake," he answered, 'But now you put red on 11y wife or Virginia and you'll see that it's a better color than pink.’ . . _ _ What color do you prefer for yourself, Mr. K.?" He thought a moment and said, I never thought about it. Whatever my wife's‘sys looks good on me, I wear. W time's so limited that I don't pay much attention and she gets everything for me, but'my suits, and she sees those, so I don't have much to say about it. 'Really, though, if I had to say, I guess blue is my favorite color, because I have‘always associated it with Iv father. You asked ms some of the things we do and I didn't tell you’much. I've been thinking. Housed'to go on drives and to the show, but the kids have outgrown that and like to go by themsele and their friends. Maybe when the baby is their age we won't be so tied up in work and‘can do things with him. We do listen to the radio on Sunday mornings, because it's the only time we all eat breakfast tOgethsr an}. we listen to music" while we eat. Ron always wants the funnies that are read, but the rest of us like ”ice 'Iill you go back to your boyhood again for me, Ir. L? I wonder if you ever were clothing that had been mde over?“ Hy motherwas always making me something out’of my father's clothes and I liked nothing better than to have a seat from one of his, because I then could say that I had a real season's coat. I’don't think I took as such pride in anything else’as‘ I did in the coat. I think Mother sewed all of her own clothes, but she always looked, he frf ind V 1511* I 427 just fine and I think every woman ought to sew, even if mine don't. 1V wife wouldn't have time anyway and she's too valuable in the’ store to waste time doing filings like that. It's cheaper though, isn't it? He could do with same things that were money savers, but it will have to be scathing else. She could make my bakery clothes if she sewed, but that's all and it takes a lot of them, so I just don't own mine. I get them from the laundry service and that saves the laundry at home. w clothes don't bother me much, because I'm in this garb most of the time. I'm never out front and as far as most people knar, I'm not even around here at all. My wife can't make our clothes, but she can manage everything else, so I'm not worried. she's a good money mamger and if she just wouldn't swear, I'd say she was perfect. I looked closely to nke sure that‘the man was not joking wifill me. He was putting the base on another cake and was looking serious, but said nothing. I. ”Since ym wear your bakery clothes so much, it mast be a great saving on other clothing, isn't it, Mr. K.” 'Sure is,” he answered. 'Haven'thad a new suit for five years, but that's about as long as I want to go. I don't want Ron to think he can have a suit every little while and let me wait for years.” ”How would you say your family looks in comparison with your friends and their families in the say they dress?” ' Mr. I. looked up and smiled. _"I'd say they looked darned good, if you really want any honest opinion." ’ . ‘ _ ”I think I have taken more of your time than I should, Mr. K., and I surely appreciate a busy man talking to me at all, especially when he is trying to deocrate a cake.” I left to see whether or not his wife was at liberty. She most decidedly was not, and I arranged to be back later. 428 Ira. K. was able to see me in her living room, iiile she held her baby and relaxed, preparatory to spending the remainder of the afternoon and evening in the bakery. She was ready to work and looked spotless in a white uniform. Her very black eyes and shiny black hair were exact in color and were beautiful with her white skin, which was without a blemish. Her form had apparently regained it's beauty, since the birth of her baby, and she looked the ideal mother as she sat there holding the infant. I knew um; I‘must not take more of her time than she had said she could give me, so I started the interview after, admirixg the baby. I asked the usual background questions and Mrs. K. responded. I was born in Detroit md lived there until I came here' and I thought I could never stand it to be away from the city, but now I'm fairly contented, because we have a better chance to make good with our business here than we ever could there. I suppose it's ' better to have the children away from the city, too. I'm sure George thinks so. He's never going to trust Ronnie in a big city, I'm sure of that. I like to go back to Detroit, but can't get' away very much anymore. My father and mother still live there. I have no sisters or brothers. w mother always said one child was enough to raise in the city, and she thinks it 's pretty awful that we have a baby at our ages. Of course, Virginia and Ronnie aren't much better when it canes to that. They thought it was a terrible thing for me to have a baby and Virginia nearly died of shame. She said that it was a disgrace for a girl of seventeen to have a baby brother or sister. Ronnie didn't say as much, but he acted just as bad. I've thought that he was getting so he liked the baby a little since it was a boy. He tried not to show it, but I saw him fussing around the bassinet the other night. Did you ever hear of such a reaction about a baby? 'Did you have any explanation for it, Hrs. HA. I asked. Well, with Virginia, it was partly because she was seventeen ad a senior in high school and didn't want the kids at school to ' know, for one of the first fixings she said when she found it out was, 'Just think what the kids will say at school,' and later she 429 later she was very sensitive about the way I looked and kept saying things about my clothes and even yet, she remarks about some of her dresses and the other day she refused to wear a dress because it looked like a maternity dress. So, this baby hasn't been an umnixed blessing, you see. I was married so young that I was only eighteen when Virginia was born, so I suppose I should be able to understand the way she feels, but it has only annoyed me so far. She tells me quite often that when I was her age I was married ans so why isn't it all right for her to do this or that. And of course, my mother is no help at all, as she feels the same way. What was good for me must be good for nu daughter, or some such idea. I'Iell,’ I mused, 'You seem ideally situated and have a lovely family, so perhaps the early marriage was just right while it might not be all rigxt at all for your daughter. Is she planning to go on to school?“ We want her to, if she can get this business of wanting to get married out of her head, but it's practically all settled‘that she won't go. We went so much to have one of the children go, and I'm afraid that Ronnie won't, as he just don't care for school at all. What I was in high school, I liked it and would have finished in another half year if George hadn't wanted to get married. I just can't understand Bonnie, but I think his grade teachers are entire- ly to blame, and I certainly told them so two years ago, damn them: Why they wanted to put him in the ungraded room so they 'could help him' they said. What the damned fools did was to fix him so he'd never like school again, and he don't. The profanity which was used by Mrs. K. was said in an even bus of voice as tough it might be entirely customary for her to speak in such a manner. Her husband had mentioned it and I wondered whether or _ not she had other words in her repertoire which she used upon occasions Now, however, she seemed unaware tint she'had spoken out of the ordinary. 'lill you tell me whether or not your mother sewed for you when you were a little girl,Mrs. H.” She nodded and smiled and said, ad I can't sew a stitch, and here I am with another baby.‘ Well, he's a boy and boys don't need to be sewed for anyway. I could save on Virginia's clothes, but she will have to save plenty on 430 than if she gets married next year, so it won't matter if I can't sew now. I think George might not like it that I don't sew, except that he likes me in the business so much that he likes practically everything that I do. I wanted Virginia to learn at school, but nothing doing. my mother didn't have much else to do. My father was away most of the time, on the road as a salesman, and Mother and I shifted for ourselves a lot and she had to do something besides take care of a snmll apartnent, so she mde almost everything I had and she would now for Virginia, if she lived nearer to us. She does do some for her and it makes Virginia a little impatient tint I ' can't, so she won't have to bother sending things back and forth. Mother never taught me and she says it's my own fault and I suppose it must have been, although I can't recall her ever trying to. I remmber one dress tlmt she made for me that would have cost fifty dollars at Hudson's and it cost all of seven dollars. It was a formal for one of the sdiool dances in my last year, and I was the envy of all the girls. Really, everyone should learn to sew, don't you think?‘ It's gotten so that the girls here in school went three and four formals a year and I expected only one. I think its ridiculous and not at all called for. I told Virginia that if she' expected a graduation dress and a wedding dress, that she would have to cut out the extra formals. fiery time there's a dance lately, ' they sake it semi-formal and all the girls want a new dress for it. Virginia even had one laid away at Young's a few weeks ago and I made her un-lay it. We have a huge expense and George depends on me to manage, so I have to be pretty fin. Virginia says I'm not that way with Ronnie, but 1 tell her that he don't want formals and that it's different. He just wants ordinary clothes. She sure- ly gets all she needs and of course, we had such a big expense this winter that she'll have to be a little careful in acne other ways. She fell at the rink. I interrupted in say that I had heard about it and toktell her how sorry I was. I then asked, 'Do you recallgoing to church and Sunday School when you were a little girl, lire. K. 1" Oh yes, [other and I almost always want. 16' father wasn't there to go often and wlmn he did it was a treat. I used to'sing in the choir, and now we don't go at all, because we are so busy getting that first million, I guess. 'Do you remember dressing in any special way for church or Sunday School?’ She shook her head and said nothing. ”What do you think of me 'new look', Mrs. K.” Again, she 431 smiled and s aid, 7 m husband kids me about having the latest styles, but I think it's important, don't you? I guess I do spend quite a lot for clothes, but by God, I think it's a woman's right and I'm going to do it. He don't really mind, because he likes me to look about right. I work like the very devil here in the bakery so I'don't ask what I eam spersl. I just take what I want and spend it. Virginia buys most of her clothes, what her grandmother don't make her, and. that's not too many, and Ronnie buys most of his. I give them each what I think they need each month, but I see to it that I get mine too and their dads. I don't believe in letting the kids have'everything without working for it. Virginia works out in the bakery, but Ronnie would rather work for someone else, because his dad is ' always at him to vork a little harder, and Ronnie don't like it. He likes to beindependent and him and his dad don't always see eye to eye on‘things. I think George is a little too hard on him, but we'll see. At any rate, Rennie don't want a new formal every month or so.‘ I suppose though, if the high school boys were tuxedo's he'd haveto have one. ”Do you and Virginia wear slacks, jeans and shorts, Mrs. L?" No, we don't, except that Virginia wears jeans to picnics or on hikes. George just has a'fit about them and I think he's entitled to say something about it, mien he works so hard to make us a good living. I don't care much for any of them anyway. I think I was cured when a man that I thmght a lot of, once, told me that he thought it spoiled a women's good looks to wear men's clothing. I think of it every time the subject comes up, anyway. Her hips, I mean Virginia,are too big for slacks and her thighs are too thick for shorts, so she don't care and it pleases her dad. It ' pleases him to see us both in red things too, because of our black hair and eyes, although I tell him it's a 'Jezibel' color. 'lhat are some of the things you and your family do together, Hrs. Ks 1. We...why let me see, I don't exactly know. Not much, I guess. Ihat's odd, isn't it, that I can't think of anything. I'd like to ply bridge for there are four of us, but George'don't like to play and the kids are here so seldom that...By God, I'd think they'd want to be here once in a while, but we can't depend on it. I even lmve‘to hire a baby sitter if George and I want to go over to the movie. That's something, isn't it? To have two children and, have to hire someone to take care of the baby. 452 'Ihat do you think of girls going without hats and hose‘!‘I I think it's one thing they do that's sensible, don't you? I had to wear a hat'to church, except when I was in the choir and it never hurt me, but I can't see that it makes much difference. I'd a lot rather see a girl without a hat than without stockings in a place where she ought to have some one. ' Virginia's so fussy that I have more trouble getting her not to wear them than the other way around. ”How do you think you influence your family the most in regard to their clothing wants and needs, llrs. IL?" By saying no, mien I should and saying yes when I can. 'I think that most childrm understand if it's explained to them. Of course I think setting a good example for them is the best of all. I think Virginia would be ashamed to be sloppy, for she never sees me that way. I have lots of faults, but that's not one of them. Both of the children have pretty good taste. They'd just just go off the deep end about amounts they need of this thing or that, though, if I'd let fliem. Once, I've said no, they let it be ended right there. Even about the formals, Virginia stops asking once I've said no. Their dad and I agree on everything, except he thinks Ronnie wants too much, but we never quarrel about it and he leaves it up to me and once it's done, he never says any more about it. He knows that it takes a lot to clothe all of us decently, and trusts w judgement, and if he didn't he could go to hell! it that moment, she looked at the clockgand I saw her give a little start and realised that the time was up. I had not quite finished, but did not tell her so, as I already had the information from her husband in regard to the things I would have asked her. I thanked her as her baby into the basket which she could carry with a handle. "There's no one to stay here with him right now, Mrs. King, and I'll have to take him down stairs with me. Virginia will be here in an hour or probably less, if you care to come back then.” 433 I was tempted to say tint I would sit with the baby if she would allow me to, but felt that she would not care to leave him with almost a total stranger. I left, to return to the same room an hour later where I found a dark eyed, black haired girl. 'lother said I would just about make it,‘ said Virginia. She smiled and I noticed the white even teeth that I would not have known were not her own, had her parents not told me. Knowing that her time was limited and that she should be either in the bakexy or taking care of her baby brother, I proceeded at once wit the interview. 'Will you tell me your views on the sharing of the family income, Virginia,” I began. I'm afraid my views on the income wouldn't be worth much. I think, though, ‘lhat a family income should be budgeted first 'of all. I plan to get married this summer or winter and I will have a budget. He have worked than out at school and I know I oculd do it. Of course, You'd have to have some money to work on, but the less money the more necessary it is to have a budget. I think my folks could be a lot better off if they had one. It might not make them any more money, but it would save a lot of ar ent. If someone shows me a figure on paper that tells why I can t have somcihing, I'd a lot sooner believe it than if they just say 'No, we can't afford it.' I'd 'a lot rather have an allowance mat was the same each month or week, so I'd kncw just what I could depend on and I could buy a lot better, and what's more, I'd how if mine was fair and Ronnie would know whether his was. I'm not sure about it now. I have lots to ' buy with mine. I have to get school things, and drug store things, like lipstick, powder, cream and tissues, arrid and mods and that counts up. Hy mother makes me pay for my own cleaning bill at the cleaners and if I knew just what I was going to get, I'd plan on that and no more, but I have to say about what I think I'll need" and th': if I underestimte it, I'm in the dOg house with Mother. 'lill you tell me mat outfit that you wear you like the best and why, Vir ginia?" 434 That's easy. I like the plum colored suit my grandmother made for me last Fall. It's easy to say I like that best. It's super and everybody likes it. Why do I like it? I guess it's the color as much as anything and besides Dad says I'm almost as nice in it as my mother and that's a compliment, coming from w dad. He's nuts about Mother, you know. I did like another thing that I had, but I don't much anymore. I decided that it looked too much like a maternity dress and I've had enough of that around here. I said tint I had seen the lovely baby and how they met all worship it. ”That depenis," said Virginia, 'on how you look at it.' She would not say more. I'Do you ever wear clothes that are made over, Virginia?” I don't have any right now, but my grandmother has some from a rich woman in Detroit that she says are elegant and she'll make some over for me if I'll go down. I'm going spring vacation, I think. She has a chance to get lots of things like that, if I want them and I do, for Grandma can sew like a house afire. She sent me a dress, a red corduroy, for Christmas that I thought was from Hudson's. But she nade it herself. 'I wmder how you would classify your appearance in comparison with that of your friends, Virginia?“ She giggled and said, Iell, before my accident at the rink file night I fell and got my teeth all knocked out, I'd say my appearance wasn't so hot, but now, I think I look pretty sharp, if I'm dressed up. Dick 8. says so, anyway, and I like to believe him. *Will you tell me about what you do for amusement?‘ Skate, although I didn't think much of the rink for a whole mmth and than I forgave it. I read and dance and go to see Joan Fontaine when she's in a movie. I mean I always go to see her. I think she can act better than anyone else. I like to bike, and I data. Mother would like to play cards once in awhile, but we never do and we're so busy in the bakery that we never entertain, but I have some of the kids in and so does Ronnie, only he is supposed to be in bed or studying. 'Do you have special clothes for the special places you go, for instance, do you wear anything special to church or Sunday School?‘ 435 She thought a moment and than said, ”You know, it's strange, but I ah ays wear my plum suit, ever since I've had it, to date in, but I guess it's a coincidence. I wear my school things to school and w better things for good, is all.‘ 'Have you ever been ashamed of the appearance of your father, mother or brother, Virginia?" 'Yes, before the baby came, I was of my mother,” she answered in a low voice. In regard in the things least enjoyed at home, Virginia's answer was, It probably sounds dreadful to say, but I don't like the feeling that there might be another baby. I really like our baby, but I'm too old fbr a little baby in the family. Just think, he'll think I'm his grandmother instead of his sister. The other thing I enjoy the least is Ronnie's dumbness. He's way behind in school, and he could be smarter if he wouldn't be so lazy, but I'm afraid people will think he is really dumb. I also hate to hear my mother swear. "And what do you enjoy the most?” ”I think I enjoy the feeling that the business and bakery is my dad's, and that he's not working for someone else.‘ After telling Virginia I had enjoyed the visit with her, I left to return again the next day at four o'clock when my visit with Ronnie was scheduled. Promptly at four o'clock the next day, I was back at the K. apartment to see Ronnie, to was a boy of rather small stature and very likeable. He was mannerly and showed that he had been trained in the smll nicities. He rose as I entered the room and bowed me to a chair. 436 I talked with him for a little before beginning the interview and could see no evidence of what his sister and father had referred to as dumbness. We began the interview and I found that Ronnie had definite ideas on the sharing of the family income as well as his sister had had. Ronnie said, I sure think that I get enough of the old income, but wimt I don't like is the way they argue over if I should get it or not. That spoils it all, after I get it. I get all over wanting it.' Dad thinks I shouldn't and Homer is just as bad the other way. 'I'd just as soon my dad had the doin' of it instead of my mother. A fellow likes to have a man handle the money, I think. 'Do you think you spend more than your share or the share you think you get?“ Well, I do if Virginia does, and if she don't, then I don't. My gosh, wiw should she have it all? A fellow needs things as much as a girl. Just because she's a senior, don't make her a millionaire.’ ’Have you ever been ashamed of the way any of your family looked, Ronnie?‘ Ronnie thought hard mid then said, 'Nope.‘ 'Whose opinion do you value the most in regard to the way you look, Ronnie?“ , "Why, m dad's, of course, but he don'tknow it,” he answered. ”Does anyone ever saw for you or make over clothes for you?‘ Just 1w grandmother. She made me a swell sport shirt and I‘ liked it, but she never made me anything else that I can remenber, except socks and gloves and that's all, I guess. I'don't know about anything made over. That's for girls anyway. 437 “How would you think you looked in comparison with the other boys you blow?" Pretty good, I guess. in dad thinks I get too much and that's why I look pretty good, but he just don't know how the fellows all dress. I save him some money by pressing my own pants though, and I can keep them looking pretty good. But Dad just don't appreciate the saving I mks him. He don't press his. Say, maybe I got something there. Press your dad's pants and he will think you are making him money and then he'll give you more to spend. 'Do you have some clothes that you like better than others, Ronnie?" The boy thought hard, and said, Tint swamps me, I don't krow, but I guess it would be the shirt 11V granchnother made me, if I had to choose. I guess I like every- thing I've got, except my brown pants and I think they look like' an old man. I never picked 'em out either. W mother done that. ”What are sane of the fixings you do for amusement,” I asked. I dance and the high school kids all do. I go to the show every time I can, and I sure like Gene Autrey and I see him everytime I can, and Roy Regers and Trigger, too. I'd sure like to look like they do and be able to ride like they do. I mean the way ihey can wear them cowboy clothes and look all dressed up at the same time. I really have to dress up to look dressed up. No, I don't read much. I like to skate though, and I go to Scout meetings and I don't do much else. Oh, I go home with some of the girls or walk them home from the Conery or from school, but that's all. When I asked Ronnie what he enjoyed the most and the least at home, his answer surprised me. I hate to say it and don't you tell, but I guess I like the baby about as well as anything at home and I know for sure what is the least. I don't want my mother to swear an' I hope she didn't in frcnt of you. CASE STUDY l6 FARM THE A. ---FAMILY CONS ISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE THIRTY-SEVEN TEE MOTHER, AGE THIRTY-SIX JANET, AGE FIF‘TEEN SANDRA KAY, AGE THIRTEEN The A. family, living about three miles from the city, on their on farm where they have recently remodeled a house. In fact, they are still in the process of building cupboards. At the time the first contact was made, In. A. was found using hauler, nails and saw like a veteran carpenter, who knew her business. She wore shirt and slacks which were not becoming to her blond attract- iveness. After I had stated w errand, she explained that she was helping out on the cupboards, but would be glad to rest a little and be inter- viewed at that tin. She said that her husband had gme to town, but should be hone by the time the school bus arrived at four-thirty. I was very happy to take advantage of her offer, and besides, I was genuinely interested in those cupboards and in the fact that a woman was able to do such work. We went into the living roan where everything was tidy and well arranged. The room was comfortably furnished and showed‘the results of good taste. It was not over-crowded, nor was it expensively equipped. 459 Mrs. A. was explaining the fact that they had been at the remodeling work for quite some time and that it had proven so expensive that'she had decided to put to use some of her knowledge of carpenter work. ,.I am interested in the fact that you know how to do such work, Mrs. A. Do you mind telling an about it?“ She smiled and said, If you'd ask my father about that, he'd tell you that he used to have difficulty keeping me out of his nails and his tools'even when I was a little girl. I remember crying because I had to go to school whm I was little. I cried because I wanted to help the men build the barn aw father was building. I'm sure I can't explain such a thing, but there it was. Dad said I was born with it and when I went to country school down in Porter, I always helped the boys when they wanted’to build something like a dam or the creek and things like that. Do you know they finally wouldn't let me play with than because they got jealous. Boys'never want to have a girl do anything better thm they can, dothey? Then, when I went to high school in Breckenridge, I took shop so I could learn the things that I needed to know, and here I am. The real reason I'm doing this thOugh, is because I'm so impatient about the carpenter getting at it. You know how it is. lien think the cupboards aren't so important and he just goes on to another job that he thinks needs a little attention in order to string those people along a while longer and then he'll come back here, and I'm feeling him, is all. Besides, 'I made up W mind that I might as well get that money as forthe men to get it all. George don't exactly like me doing it and the girls have a fit. It makes them ashamed to have their mother doing 'men's work' as Sandra says. Janet says she is going to earn enough money with her accordian so I won't have to 'work like a man'. Poor ° lambs, they can't get it through their heads that I like to do it. Their dad is different about it. He knows I'd rather do it than do the housework. He doesn't like me to lift, but aside from that, he says 'to heck with what people think.’ He can't pound a‘nail straight and it used to make him feel silly to think that I could. He got all over that a long time ago and says now that if he ever marries again, that it'll be a woman who can saw the wood. Not, that I ever 0 that. Will you tell me more about your childhood, Mrs. A.? Did you always live around here?” Is always lived in the same" county and both my people and George's still do. It's always a fight which grandmother the girls will 440 visit when they Imve time to visit. They settle it by taking turns. I'm glad they have the chance to visit them, for I lost'cut on knowing mch about my grandparents when I was their age. They were too far away and I never saw enough of them to really know them. * They're all dead now, of sense, but they were in'the northern part of the state when I was little. My grandmother W. was the only one who ever came to see us much and she was the one who always wanted to make sure that I had on my rubbers and things like that. She was the one too, who persuaded my father and motbr that I needed rubber boots and a rain cape to wear to school, and I hated all three of them for it. 'Please tell me," I begged. Well you see, I ind to walk about a half a mile‘toschool’ and in the spring it got awfully muddy. The road was clay and in late March and early April, the mud would go clear up to our shoe tops. Grandma W. was there in the spring when I was eleven for I was in the sixth grade, and she told my mother she ought in be ashamed to send a child through all that mud another spring and that I needed soothing to protect me from the rain. I expected a new pair of rubbers and an umbrella, but instead I got a bright shiny pair of rubber boots and a blue rain cape. One of those that had a hood, you 1mm? Honestly, Mrs. King. I've never quite gotten over it. I was so terribly ashamed of those tw0 things. Boots and a rain cape: I was the‘only girl in the whole school who had to wear anything like‘that. I knew now that almost any kid would have been tickled pink, but not me. I cried and wept to no avail and my grandmother kept'saying, 'Spoil the child when you spare the' rod', and 'Now Jean, don't be a fool and give in to.her.' Well, I really got a fever over theme things, and you know what I did? There was a creek md'a footbridge across'it about what would be two blocks from the corner where the school house was. Every morning I left home wearing the boots and the cape. When I got as far as the bridge, I took them both off and hid them in a bundle under the bridge and then went on to school with the sticky mud squashing up over 1V shoes and the rain wetting me through. I did that day after day and my mother couldn't understand why my shoes'ware so ‘ awful. I could never get them really cleaned up you see. Besides w feet would be wet. My dad thought the boots must leak and tried to find a hole. It went on for a long time and then one ' morning aw grandmcther had my dad follow me and he caught me putting the things under the bridge. I don't like to remember that for I got whipped hard and I've never liked my grandmother I. or her mmory. Funny, isn't it, how something like that can stick in your memory. 441 'Dc you remember anything else about the way you used to dress when you went to SundaySchool or church or school?” fire. A. had drawn a long breath after recalling the other memories, and now she again reminisced. I remember that I had to wear leng legged wool underwear until I was a great big girl and it wrinkled under my long stockings and bulged so terribly that I nearly died of shame. Some of the girls' mothers had gotten so they didn't make them wear it, but net my mother. She'is wonderful, but is a firm believer in making girls wear clothes. Maybe because I was the only child made her so careful, I don't know. But anyway she's still that way and she'll never change. She thinks it's wicked the way I let the girls go with‘bare legs in the winter time and no underwear and all that. Hell, I out ihose legs right off my underwear one day and the suit was a new one. I was in the eighth grade and I didn't want ny legs to bulge, so I took the shears and out it off. We had a‘ ’ pretty bad time over that and I don't think Mother ever got over my ruining that lovely suit. I don't remember much else about my clothes. I had a good dress for Sunday School and I always drove the buggy with our horse, 'Old Jess. ' mt father and mother'never wait but my father aliuys gave to the church and Still does, but he and Mother never went. I've never asked them why. I think'they were just too busy on the farm and never got into the habit. ‘Do you go to church now, Mrs.A?' She smiled and shook her head. The girls go to Sunday School most of the time, but not all. George takes them in and they usually get a ride back and they like to ' ' stay and go tothe' drug store with the rest of the gang for a while. I do remember a dress I used to wear to Sunday School, now that I think of it.' It was a blue cotton crepe that was gathered on to a yoke and the yoke was outlined with narrow black velvet ribbon which aided in long streamers in the front. The sleeves'were short and gathered and had the black ribbon around thu, too. I remember it because I had it on what I first not George and he liked the dress instead of me, he said. I have a picture of me in that dress. Would you like to see it? I nodded and she brought the album which held the picture of a Young girl of perhaps sixteen and she had described the dress perfectly. 'Did your mother make your clothes?" She nodded and said, 442 Oh, Mother could make nice things. She just wanted me to be covered up was all. We always fought over how low the neck was to be or hw short a skirt could be and still not be called a huszy. We got along about everything else, though. She's given up now on everything except bare legs in the wint r. I've never sewed for my girls so I don't run into those things. _ "Ilhat effect has the 'new look' had on your family, Mrs. L?" I asked. She pondered a manent before saying, 'I think up are all interested in keeping up with the thing that is fashionable even if we are on a farm. I sometimes wonder why it is that people think that farmers are behind the times?‘ I hastened to assure her that I had not thought it, but that it was a questim asked everyone. She had not taken it percenally and said that she had always had the impression that people thought that farmers were not in style. Why, we have things nice enough for them to have parties out has and we neva' think of there being a difference between farmers and city people, except that we have more things to eat like chicken and meat, milk and eggs, that the people in town have to buy. I agreed with her perfectly and said so, complimenting her on her attitude. 'I belies e,‘ I said, "That if more farm people would think as you do, that we would have more happy young people who are proud to live on the farm.’ “Since you are wearing slacks, Mrs. A., I think my question is superfluous, but do you approve of clothes such as slacks, jeans, shorts, and play suits for your girls‘lm Here on the farm we wear them all, but we don't wear any of them when we go to town. The girls did wear jeans 'to school today so they could help with decorating the gym for something, hit that's an exception to the rule. The girls never wear shorts or play 443 suits if we lave men working, and of course I don't either. I told Sandra that I was ping to start having her dad's overalls ude into jeans for her and she didn't like the idea. She thinks they'd lack something, but I'm sure I don't know what it would be. I'Do you have other things made over for them” Not often, for we don't have the things to make over, and if we did, it costs more for make-overswhen we hire it done, so I don't see whee I'd save any money. George always says he don't see any use in it anyway for all we've got when it‘s all done is just something old that won't wear long enough to pay. 'Do you and your husband usually see things alike in regard to what the family needs and waits in clothing?” Oh, George doesn't bother his head about anything but‘his own clothes. That's about all he has time to worry about. I do all of that. The girls and I usually go together to get our things and if we go to Saginaw, George usually goes too, and gets his things. He likes to go down to Sears and Montgomery Ward, if'we go to Sagirmw. He can buy tools on one side and clothes on the other. He likes to get the shopping over with in a hurry and go on to a show. I"What are some of the other things you do together as a family besides go to shows, Mrs. AX!" We go to dam es at the Comunity Center, the one out here and the girls enjoy that. We go to Saginaw to the Temple Theater and to the Auditorium once in a while to see a play. We went to see the Pit and Balcony players not long ago in Alma when they were there. We go to the Town Hall Series and of course we stay at home and listen to the radio. I guess I'll have to change that last about the radio for the girls listen to one in their room and George and I listen to this one here. ”Any special programs that you listen to?” She shook her head Ind said they did not. 'Do you ever-listen to pregrams on style and fashion or anything pertaining to clothes?‘ 444 No, I'm afraid not. I'd rather window shep'and'see for myself than to listen to someone tell it over" the radio, because you can see for yourself how it would look on you, but you can't tell trat by listen- ing. 'How about the magazines? Do you find than helpful in such things 7" Not particularly. You see, if I sewed or if the girls did, then I think we'd want the magazines for patterns and since we don't, we jut like to shop for our things and find out how they look. 'I can always convince the girls when something isn't suited to them, if I'm along. All I usually have to say when that happens is , 'Let's go in and try it on', and that way they can see for themselves that it's too old or too mssy or that the color isn't right. ”Do you have a favorite family color, Mrs .. A.” I don't believe so. At least I don't know what it would be. We did all agree on yellow for the kitchen, though. I'm surprised too, for usually each of us has something different in mind and have to draw lots to see who wins. No, I guess we don't have. 'Do you plan college for the girls, Mrs. A.” No, I don't think so unless they want to work themselves through. ' George and I feel that we are doing pretty well by thm. They‘h'ave their musical instruments and all that they need in other things. We mink we owe it to ourselves to accumulate for the future from now on. At least after the girls get through school. Janet wants to go on with her accordian now that she's playing over the radio once a week and we're willing to’finance that. Sandra is a little young to know what she wants yet. Both their dad and I feel that we got along, and'that the girls can go as far as they went to on their own efforts. I lmow that the trend is all for college, ht we've seen too many cases where it didn't seem to pay. We think our girls will appreciate it more if we don't give them all we can mks on the farm. Now that the house is fixed and the farm is all free from debt, we're getting a new car in the manner and we plan to take a trip to the west. I think things like that can mean as much to the girls as going on to school. Will you tell me how you feel that you can best keep a happy home for your family? I meantaking everything into consideration such as finances, clothing and so forth.” 445 I think it takes a lot of give and take to keep finances happy, but we each keep track of our expenses and once a month we get together and go through then. The girls don't have to tell us each time they buy something like candy or ice cream, but they have to show whether or not they're in debt to anyone and how much they saved. George and I give than each a dollar a week for spending as they see fit and since neither of them can work during the school year, they have to keep within that mount. George gets feeling sorry for them and slips them a little extra for a movie once in awhile, but I scold him for that. I have a checking account in w name which George keeps up to fifty dollars. I try to be reascmble in what I spend. Either of the girls has the right to draw a check on the account to buy an article of clothing once a month. So far it's been no problem for neither of the girls like to think of writing a check. The one problem that we made a rule about is that no one may write a check unless the balance is up to fifty dollars. The girls would rather ask and have me give them the money for what they need or pay for it myself, mich is what usually happens. Our idea was to teach them has to be independent but I'm afraid it's back- fired, and I'm the only one who uses the account. I got that idea in high school once. I think more families are wrecked over money than anything else. I'Do you approve of lay-a-way or charge accounts, Mrs. A?" She shook her head and said, I used to (b it but it made George so cross and he thought he was always having to pay for scheming that was all worn cut, so we stopped it and have never allowed the girls to do it. I think that I did it because the girls I used to gc‘around with did. I agree with my husband that it is a bad habit. Thee was a noise at the door and Mrs. L- rose and went into the kitchen, where I could hear a murmur of voices. In a fa seconds she returned with her husband. Mr. A. was a men of medium height who was well shaven and barbered. He looked very much as any man on the city street might look. He was dressed in brcwrn corduroy slacks and jacket. When he removed the Jacket a soft tan shirt and brown tie were revealed. His shoes were brown as were the heavy calf skin gloves he held in his hand. 446 He offered his hand to me, and nearly crushed mine in the hearty handshake he gave me. After listening to the reason why I was there, he said, If you'll tell John that I'd appreciate his doing the chores alone tonight, Iwon't take time to change into try other clothes, and I'll be all ready to go back to Blue Lodge. That way, I'll kill two birds with one stone. You'll really be doing me a favor if you'll stay, Mrs. King, as you can see. He laughed as did his pretty wife who was still in her carpentering clothes. Mrs. A. now said, ”Suppose I call the girls and tell them to stay up town and I'll go back-in with you and we'll eat at the Colony House tonight. I can never get the kitchen ready to cook in. Couldn't you ride home tonight with Bert? He'll go to lodge.‘ Mr. A. agreed to the plan and it was not untillaterthat any of us remembered that I had wanted to see the girls, too. Hrs. A. suggest- ed that I see them some night after school during the next week, when she would have them ride home with some neighbor who would be in town. It was left that she would call me and let me know which date it was to be and if my plans did not fit with here, we would figure something else out at that time. lhen Mr. A. was asked the background questions, he smoked casually and said, I don't believe there's much of interest to tell about myself or w family. I was born in Gratict County and my folks were here before me, and we're still here. I was raised on a farm which aw father owned and maybe that's why I wanted to own this one. I was just a boy on a farm and I went to a country school. I can do better arithmetic than either of our girls and I learned it right there in that country school. When I went on to high school, I don't believe I ever leatned any arithmetic and I'm darned if I think the town COU thi tha1 fight “at t 447 schools teach any at all. Janet came home with a failure in Algebra the other day and I'm convinced it's because she don't‘ know her basic math. Well, I had a sister moss name was Nora, but she died with undulant fever when I was five and I don't remember much about her, only that she was pretty and had black hair and blue eyes. I'm pretty partial to blue eyes.‘ In fact anything that's blue. That's how I met Ann, you know. I did not let him know that his wife had mentioned when he first met her, and ask him to tell me about it. It was at Sunday School. We'd both gone there all the time, but I'd never seen Ann there. Oh, I knew there was a little tow head there, but I didn't really see her until the day she wore her blue dress, and after that I never saw anyone else, I guess. she was sixteen and I was seventeen. Before that I don't think I'd ever known a girl existed, except for teasing. Funny thing that m never wanted to sew when her mother made that dress I liked so well.. Ann wasn't cut out to sew though, I guess. 'Dc you mind, Mr. A. 7" He looked rather surprised at the question and said, "No, of course not. Some women do and some don't. Ann does lots of other things that I consider more important. She is a friend to our girls and that's more important than making clothes, isn't it?” ”Did your mother used to mks any of your clothes?“ I asked. If she did, I don't remember. "I do remember her sending out of the catalogue for them, though. My dad used to tell'her that instead of reading books that she read the catalogue. He was only kidding her of course, but it was true‘that she spent a lot of time doing her buying in the catalogue. she used to say that she was saving hin shoe leather by doing it that way. "And you? Do you ever buy your clothes that way now, lir. .L.?‘I Be grinned and said, 'Nopoz 'Iell you what I do though. I go right to the catalogue store and buy. Mom couldn't do that, but I can. The family ribs me about it, but it's a darn good way to buy when'you want to save time, just the sme." 448 'Do you remember about the way you used to dress to go to church? Or the way your father and mother dressed when they went?“ We were farmers and m folks didn't go to church every Sunday. w dad worked a good many Sundays. They went to special meetings sometimes when they had revivals. I remember once when I got the power and went right up to the front with a lot of other boys the preacher had got to crying. Just as he started to pray over us, my suspender snapped and it sounded like a crack from a pistol. I don't remember anything about the clothes, though. I know I got a good bawling out for having gone up in front without my coat on and w mother said I could say the prayer at the table for a whole month for that. It was the last time I ever let myself get the PO'Ore “Which church was it, Mr. A?” The good old United Brethern. Since the custom of saying grace at our house is gone, we don't have that problem. lb! dad and mother still do it, of course, but Ann and I have never done more than have the girls say one when they were small. we don't make them now. There are so many things we have to make them do that I wouldn't want the: to have to do something that to me is unimportant. To me it's important that they respect the decent things of life and behave themselves in every way. I want them to act like ladies and look like ladies. a 'Nill you tell me how you think they can best look like a lady‘l" Well, it's a little hard to explain what I mean, but I know Ann has a rule that the girls are not to wear such things as shorts when they're up town, or if there are men around the farm. To me, if they did they wouldn't look like a lady. I suppose that sounds awfully old fashioned. Those things are all right, but not in town or in front of men. I don't mind the other things, but their mother tells them it's not proper on the street. ”Speaking of clothes, do you buy your own suits without any help from your family?" You bet. I like to go all by myself in a huddle and then I can't blam anyone if I make a mistake. I think I know as much as a woman would about choosing a man's clothes and aw wife knows how to pick out here and the girls. I tell you though, those kids don't need much help in getting their things. All they need is to know how far a dollar can go and they're learning. I could 449 never pick my own things when I was a kid like our girls do, and I really believe it's a good thing to make them a little independent of us. Then, if anything should hap';en to us, they'll be all set to take care of themselves and do a fair job of it. ’Do you feel that your personal appearance is important in your work here on the farm?” Well, I never thought of it in exactly that way, but why shouldn't it be? If I want a loan fran the bank, I'll get it sooner if I go in to the president looking like something, than if I go in all dirty and looking like a hayseed. I think a farmer should be as well dressed as a town man except when he is out in the field, and even then, why should he look like a hick? The work clothes now-a-days are pretty fair looking I'd say. Certainly this man looked like anything but a farmer at present. 'Do you actually wcrk in the fields or do you rent them out?’ I asked. He looked at me in surprise and said, Bert, he's the tenant house, and I work it together. There's too much for one man. Sure thing, we all work in the fields sometimes, but there's no reason why we have to look like tramps. My girls would take care of that if I tried it, I guess. ”in there any special problems in regard to clothing that you run up against in your keeping a family of four happy, Mr. A." Mr. A. thought, and then started to speak, then paused before he said, It sounds foolish to say no. There's always something popping up, but before it gets to the problem stage, Ann seems to have it under control. Sometimes we don't have all the money we want at one time and have to wait until we sell something, but it always works out. We've done pretty well on the farm and I think its the only place to bring up kids. ”You mentioned selling crops. Do you listen to any special radio programs for quotations on prices?’ Sure, to anything that there is. We, that is, Ann and I, listen to the college station at Lansing to all the farm stuff. I don't 450 think the girls know there is such a station. They like prOgrams that reek with mystery and ghosts, although Janet likes anything with an accordion in it. "How would you say your family compares in appearance with your friends families, Mr. A. 7" Again, he thought before he answered me. 'The best family I know is mine, exclusive of me. No foolin' though, they look the best, they act the best, and I think they are the best. They look pretty fine to me.’ It was the third day after w visit to the farm home of the A.'s, that Mrs. A. called to say that her daughters could ride home with a neighbor the next night if I cared to call school and make an arrangement with them to stay for their interviews. This was done and at three-thirty o'clock that afternoon I met the two girls at their school, and talked with each in turn, using a deserted room for each conference. The girl who was at liberty did her hanework for the next day while she waited for her sister. It was Janet, the eldest of the two girls, whom I talked with first. She was a honey-colored blonds little girl of fourteen, and looked very sweet and somewhat serious as she sat down facing me for our talk. She looked much as all normal girls of that age look. She was dressed in school sweater and skirt. Her shoes and anklets looked like those of forty other girls who had been milling around in the corridors when I had entered the building. She was a bit grubby after the afternoon in school, as were most of the other girls. 451 After she seemed at ease, I asked the first question, and Janet said, I may not be old enough to be a good judge, but I think my father and mother have a pretty good plan for the money Daddy gets. I know that he isn't a bit like some of the girl's fathers are about money. He is better. Of course, I earn some money with my accordian ever the radio station now, but Mather and Daddy give me 1w allowance just the same and I think that's pretty swell of them. I am saving tint money so I can help go on with my lessons when I get out of school here, and then I'm going to study in Detroit if they'll let me. Yes, I think, I get a fair share of the money that Daddy and Mother have. I can't always have what I want right on time, but alm03t always. I can. No, I don't think I have more than my share. Mother am that we are quite good about not pouting when the larder, as she calls it, is low. Once in a while, though, I want things frcm the drugstore that I can't have and I'm tempted to spend my money for them. Things like cologne, Arid, creams and Kleenex. But she can't see any sense in loodbury's soap, and I don't agree with her on that. I don't use rouge, but I have a lipstick and no one says anyihing unless I put it on too dark, and then both Daddy and Mother holler at me. Sandra is always in aw stuff, too, and I tell her she's too young, but she thinks that she is just as old. I am almcst. I smiled at this and she grinned and said, I know. She is almost as old, but two years make a lot of difference in‘fiiings like that. It's a good thing that we can't wear each others clothes for she wants mine all the time. She ‘ wants me to press her skirts and things now every time I do mine. Asked if there were other personal problems, Janet said, Nothing special I guess, but Sandra always wants to do everything I do and that is annoying sometimes. We get along pretty well though and I think that next year she'll be older and we'll get along better. No, we don't quarrel much, but I just wish she'd be like herself and not try to be like me. She wants aw Seventeen magazine and I think her American Girl is better for her. Ether says that they're both alI right- for Both of us, but I like to be different. Then, when I have some of the girls out in my class she thinks she should be right with us all the time and I think she should stick to her own chums, but we have fun when we're all alone here. One thing she does is to take my underwear and my anklets, and I don't like that. I've started to get mine all different colors and then she can't do that anymore. She says 452 she got then mixed up, but I know she's too lazy to wash her under- things like mother tells her to and she sticks them in her drawer all dirty and takes my clean ones. I haven't told Mother yet, but I'm going to the next time she does it. she don't like me to tell her about it either and she strews her things around the room and leaves them for me to pick up. Heck! I don't have any more time than she does. 'lhose opinion do you value most in regard to your personal appearance, Janet?” KY mother's. I think she knows. She knows about all the things I want and she knows about the money. Of course Daddy does, too, but I'd rather have a woman's opinion. She makes me feel good when I ask her if I look alright, and Daddy makes mm of me. Of course, he is only teasing me, but I'd rather ask Mother because she's always serious about it and Daddy tries to make out that I'm just trying to look nice for only boys. 'And you're not?” I questioned. She colored and said, Well, sometimes, but he teases me even when he knows that I'm just going out with a girl. Be don't like me to go out much and I only ' ' go when there's something special to go to, like a play or something. Sandra thinks she should, though. 'Do you dress in any particular way for your dates, Janet?” Well, I've only gone three times this year so far and each time I wore my gray princess dress, because it's my best dress. I guess I just wore it because I was going somewhere and all the girls would be dressed up. I like my gray dress best. It's the one I wanted most of all because I love princess dresses and it's nice and long. My ballet slippers match it and Sandra doesn't have anything like it at all. Liked whether she liked to shop for her clothes, she said, I sure do. Mother does'a lot of things but she can't sew and ' neither can Sandra or I. I want to learn how though. Iris. H. made herself a red taffeta dress for the band dance and she said it only cost five dollars and none of us kids knew she made it until she told us. My mother said she guessed I'd better learn if I could do as well as Iris. 453 When I asked her how she would classify her appearance, she pureed her lips and said, all I'm not sure. I think I look a little Duth sometimes, but that's when I get something with gathers and my hips are goo big for them I guess. lost of the time, I guess I look about like the other girls and I don't want to look a bit better. Girls don't like just one to look a lot better than the rest. 'Do you have a favorite movie star? Your mother told me that you go to a movie sometime.” Jane Powell is my favorite. I like her singing best of all. Be do all go but we go to plays too, and I like that. I want to get so I can play my accordian on the stage, but I guess I've got to study a lot first, if I ever get that far. '00 you dress in any special way when you broadcast-Janet?" I wear a formal some of the time and it burns Sandra up. She thinks she ought to have one too, and Mother tries to tell her, but I think she might as well not, because she says nasty things about it and I know she is jealous. I can't help it though if I happen to be the one who does it. She can get that good on her clarinet if she wants to. She's too lazy to practice that much though, I guess. She can't see why I wear these clothes. I got my formal for Chrishas and Sandra thought she ought to get one too, even if she don't have a ehance to wear one. We go on jambo'rees to different towns and then everyone who is on the program wears long dresses, all the women and girls, I mean. ”Did you like getting clothes for Christmas?" She beamed and said, ”Sure, we both do." ”[111 you tell me why you like the magazines you mentioned a little while ago?“ Seventeen? That's the one I like. I think it's because it's not so We sane of the girl's magazines. II'he stories are all a little older than I am, but still they are good. Once in a while Nether lets me send for something from it too. All the girls at school like that magazine. 454 'I believe you mentioned the band dance. Did you go‘!'. She shook her head, saying, Host of the girls went alone and my mother‘wouldn't let me go unless I had a date and I didn't get asked, so I didn't go. I didn't care though, for there was only one boy I wanted to go with and he went to see his aunt in Detroit for the weekend. He might not have asked me anyway, if he'd been here. Asked what she enjoyed most and least at home, Janet replied, I enjoy my music and our house the most now that it's fixed over. The least I guess, is Sandra in my room. I want a room of IV own and when we can I'm going to have it too. My mother promised. I told Janet I would listen the next time she played over the radio and asked her to give me the date, which she did. She left to call her sister and Sandra came into the room alm0st imnediately and sat down where her sister had been seated. Sandra, lacking a few days of being thirteen and in the eighth grade, was a younger version of her mother and of her sister, Janet. She seemed not at all shy, but rather an abrupt little girl who wanted to get things over with in a hurry, for she said to Janet as she left the room, 'I'll be with you in a jiff and we'll have to hurry or Bert won't wait. Remanber, Mother said for us not to keep him waiting." ’lould you rather not stay for your interview, Ssndra?‘ I asked. 'You neecm't you know, if it will inconvenience you.” I could not have said a better thing, for immediately Sandra changed her tactics and said, Oh, I wouldn't 'leave for anything. I just wanted to poke Jan up. bhe's always telling me'to hurry. Bert won't leave us, and if he did, Daddy would get us.” This is one time I'm going to get to do the same thing Jan gets, and I don't want to go. 455 That settled, I began the questions. I explained about the income questions and after thinking it over, Sandra said, I guess it's just fair enough and I don't think I spend more than I ought to, but I think Jan does. At least I think she will if she's got to wear a long dress to broadcast in. I think that's silly for who sees her? It's not television over there at the Alma station and they don't pay very much money and she needn't think she's so big over it. She and Carol c. and that bunch of girls think they're it, because they go over to that little station. When I play over the radio, I'm going to WJR and I'll never monkey with a little dinky one. Jan don't like to hear me say that, but some of us can take the wind out of their sails when we call this station dinky. 'Did Janet use family income money for her long dress for the radio broadcasting, Sandra?" ”Sure. lather and Daddy got it for her for Christmas and that had to come out of their money. I nnted one too, but no, I'm too young. I'll get me a job maybe, next year, and then I'll have what I “Rte. 'But Sandra, do you really need a long dress this year? Do the girls in the eighth grade go to the dances?‘ Sandra looked a little perturbed end said sheepishly, I just go to the mixers after the games, but I want to be ready for next year. Besides, I don't see why Janet should need one to play in when she don't need one to gate parties in,'and she thinks she's pretty big to be over the radio. I don't care. 'Do you like to shop for your clothes, Sandra?” Oh, I like to when we go to Saginaw and we always go to the show too, and sometimes we have time to go to two shows. Jan and I like to buy things, but she's always so afraid that I'll get something like here a little. I don't see just what difference it'd make if I did. 'Who takes care of your clothes? Pressing them and sewing on 456 buttons and all of that?‘ Sandra yawned slightly, stretched a little and said, Mother says she does and that I ought to by now, and I try. But I'm so busy and the bus comes so early. I can't iron anything but In skirts to get the wrinkles out of the back. Mother does the rest of it yet, but Jan thinks she's the perfect one because she presses all her things, but I'll bet you ought to see a blouse she irons. It'd look just as bad as mine would. She gets mad at me when I ask her to wear anything of here that's been pressed, too, because she thinks I'm too young to wear her clothes. she and Mother both nag around at me. 'Tell me why?" I asked. 'Well, I'm going to draw a line right down the middle of the floor in our room and then I can do as I please in my half and she can do the same,‘ was the only answer I could get. 'Do you have many other problems, Sandra?” She looked at me wisely and answered, Well, when I'm fourteen I can have dates. Maybe I can go steady then. Jan don't want to, but I do. I call wearing a boy's class ring and going to all the assemblies and walking to your locker and things like tint, going steaw. Some of the girls have a lot of dates, too, to go places, but in my grade just some of the girls have dates to go any place. Some Of them go though, and their folks don't know anything about it. But I wouldn't dare because Jan would tell on me and then I'd catch it. Daddy would kill me. ”Any other problems Sandra?” She shook her head and said, No other problem, but Miss J. told some of us girls the other day tlmt we could have a clinic for beauty problems and we're all supposed to hand in things written on a slip of paper, and I don't know for sure what to write. This gave me too the opportunity to ask, Sandra, will someone ask about deoderants for under the arm odors and depilatories which are creams to remove the hair from under the arms or from your legs? I should think that might makes good question to discuss. Cosmetics, too. How about asking 457 something about them? Do you use all of those things? The child beamed and said, ”No. Daddy won't let me. I put some lipstick on once in a while at school though. All the girls do. I use Fresh under my arms, and my mother makes me think of that to save the cleaning bill, I guess.” ”Do you enjoy getting clothing given to you, Sandra? I mean for Christmas, or you might even have someone who gives you things to be made over perhaps.” She shook her head to the last and said, ”Sure. Just give me clothes and it's all I ask.” ”Whose opinion do you value most of all in regard to the way you look, Sandra?” ‘Doubtfully, she said, ”Well, it's a matter of only having two to ask. Mother and Daddy. I guess mother.” ”Which of your clothing that.you wear do you like best of all?” I just wouldn't know but I guess it would by my...no, it'wouldn't either, that's too old. I think it'd be my red and black plaid but I'm not sure. I did like that but now I don't know. It's almost like one that ain'had, but hers is all worn out now, so I don't know. ”What‘would you think the way you look compares with the way your friends look, Sandra?”‘ ”Uhmmm, I don't know, but I guess about the same and I wouldn't want to know for sure for then I might feel bad.” ”What are some of the things you do for*amnsement, Sandra?” I don't do much but go to the show and read the Seventeen. I'm going to buy my own copy though, because Jan always wants it when I have it and of course it's hers so I'm going to buy one too. Mother thinks I ought to stick to Calling All Girls because it's for me, but I like Jan's best. Oh, because it's not so babyish 18 Elle ”Do you have a favorite movie star?” I asked. ”I like Linda Darnell best. She's so pretty, I think.” ”Do you dress up to go to the mixers after the games, Sandra?” ”Nope,” she answered. ”I play in the band and usually we have to wear our band uniforms.” ”What do you enjoy most at home, and the least?” The girl paused, turned in her chair and said, ”lost of anything? I like my mother and my dad. The least is just being the youngest, that's all.” It was getting time for the two girls to go down town and be ready for the ride home with the neighbor who was to be waiting for them at the drug store. I thanked them and said goodnight. CnSE STUDY 17 F211 {Ii-I THE JC---FAMILY'COESISTS OF: mv .L HE FhTHER, hGB FORTY-FOUR THE FOTHER, AGE FORTY-THREE ARIAXD, AGE SEVENTBEN ROSE, AGE FIFTEEN I had known this family years ago, in youth, and then later came into contact with them after their family was growing up. I made an appointment to see them on Sunday afternoon, as hr. JC. is quite busy on week days. He hauls milk for the Farmer's Cooperative Creamery every forenoon, and has to do his farming afternoons. On Sundays he finishes his milk route about twelve thirty. I drove up to their house about two thirty feeling quite guilty to be asking for this man's time, when he had only Sunday afternoons to rest. However, these cases had to be interviewed, so I stifled my conscience and started in talking with both Mr. and Mrs. JC. "Hello, I hope I am not early," I said. "No, just right. John got home on time, had his bath, got ' answered Mrs. JC. shaved and rested same. So now we are both ready.' I"When husband and wife are able to see me together, I often start out by asking each to tell me something about the first twenty years of their lives. Will you people please tell me those things?" 460 The wife spoke first. Why, I was born right here on Jackson Street in the house aw mother lives in now. I always lived there until my marriage to John. I met him at church one night, and then he started casing to our'True Blue Class', didn't you John? My folks didn't want us to get married, but we loved each other and we decided they didn't have to 'live with John. I did. So we got married anyway, and we're glad we did, aren't we John? Her husband grinned happily, and I asked, I'And you, Mr. JC? Where was you born?” I was born in West Virginia. My father, two sisters, and three brothers came to Michigan when I was about ten, I guess. Anyway my little brother and sister, Rosie and Okie were about six and seven, and m mother died when Rosie was a baby. My sister Grace brought us up as well as she could, with dad's help. When we got to Michigan, we had a tiny three room house for all of us to live in. Sometimes I ‘lhink the small house and lack of beds and bedrooms accounted for the great tragedy in our family. But you don't want to hear that, or maybe you already know it. Let's skip it. I could see that Mrs. JC. was uneasy, so I didn't pursue the subject further. Mr. JC. then went on. In fact, our house was so tiny that I made a friend of a neighbor boy, Dan M., and his folks let me stay there. I stayed there a few years and went to the Redstone School, where I managed to finish the sixth grade. By that time I was old enough to work for farmers around to earn my living. I was always the hired man ' until we were married, then we rented a farm and bought some tools. Harriet got through the eighth grade ever in the Centerline School, four miles from Redstone. Mrs . JC . explained, Yes, my sister Frankie and I both passed the eighth grade examination, so we quit school. After that we took lessens on the organ. Frankie learned to play better than I did though. I always sang alto in the choir, while Frankie sang soprano and played organ at the same time. ”You spoke of church. Did you both attend regularly as a child?” 461 Mrs. JC. answered, saying, I did. I got a double dose. Sunday mornings‘we used to go to the United Bretheren Church on Jackson Street, both for Sunday School and the preaching service. We went home and hurried up our dinner and went to the Centerline Free Methodist Church, where we again went to both Sunday School and the preaching. The services in both churches together were about six or seven hours long. As I look back, it was very very tiresome, but at the time I thought nothing of it. Many of our brethern and sistern were 'Saved' regularly, and I went to the altar quite a bit too. My sister Frankie was a better Christian than I was, and she wouldn't marry her Walt until he too had an experience. Walt wanted to do it, but try as he would, he couldn't. One night a big sleigh load of us went to the revival at the Free Methodist Church, and preaching began. Crying aloud and tears streaming down her cheeks, Frankie grabbed Walt and dragged him to the altar. He got on his knees and bowed his head and closed his eyes. A lot of the good members gathered around crying and shouting 'Lmen' 8 Old Mrs. S. sobbingly asked Walt if he was 'getting through. ' He seemed ashamed that he was not. So the sobbing and praying went on. After a while the old lady asked again, 'Did you get through, Walter?' Stubbornly he said 'No 1' After an hour or so of trying to help Walt, the good brethern and cistern decided that he was certainly through, and that he must have things straightened out with the Almighty by then. but to this day Walt says he did not. John never would go to the altar and I never tried as hard to make him as Frankie did Walt, and we have had a better marriage than they have, I think. How, none of us ever even goes inside of a church. Too much church in our younger days, I glass. ”How did you and your parents dress to go to church?” I asked. Mr. JC. answered, ”None of my family ever went.” But Mrs. JC. was ready again, and said, I can see 1k yet. She often wore a shawl in place of a hat and coat, and wore it over her head. Sometimes she wore her black fascinator and black plush coat. She had black and brown dresses and cloth overshoes or artics in winter time. In sumer, she were dark prints and a dark blue coat and black straw hat. With Father it was no collar, no tie, and a very plain dark suit. It was almost a sin to polish his shoes, and no Free Methodist would think of wearing a tie or collar. They were a sweet looking bunch with about four inches of raw neck sticking up above the 462 neck band of their shirts. Pa tried such stuff on us, but us ruled the roost there, and we really had pretty clothes, although not expensive. In fact, rather nicer than lots of girls in the True Blue Sunday School Class. "What are some of the thin s you do tagether as a family?‘I I asked next. Hr. JC. seemed to feel called upon to say, we don't do enough things together to enjoy each other as we ought to. we listen to the radio and go to the school affairs, but Arland and Rose usually go to the show by themselves or with their friends. Harriet and I go to the square dances at North Wheeler, but the kids like round dances better. Harriet learned to dance after she was forty years old. Her mother told her that she'd get along for forty years without dancing, she thought she could finish on out. ‘wa all like to go to ball games, but' ‘we don't always go as a family. Since the kids drive the car, they go with us more than they did before, because they think they get a chance to drive. lhen.asked about the 'new look' in clothes and long skirts, Mr. JC. again answered, Oh, I guess it's alright. I don't care as long as they are covered up decent. I don't like to see girls and women throwb ing themselves at the men with clothes, but everything is all right in the right place, I say. m8 e C” e ‘dded, I try to make Rose see that there is a proper time and place for such clothes as slacks and shorts. I insist upon her'wearing hose to church and Sunday School, for she'd always go without them. She always goes, and.srland takes her. About sport clothes, I think they are sensible. Sports for girls are too, if they don't overdo. In answer to my next question, Mrs. JC. said, 'Of course we never charge anything. It's too hard to pay up after the stuff is worn out. I would have something laid away if necessary, but we never have." 'How do you feel about college for the children, now that Arland is nearly a senior?” I asked. Mrs. JC. said, It seems as if high school is pretty good. If they want to earn their way in college, I wouldn't stop them, but I don't believe I'd put money into it. Girls only get married anyhow, and Arland wants to be a fanner. “re JCe ‘dded, I can support us all pretty good and when the kids are though school, it will be easy for Harriet and me to live off from the farm. It's all paid for. I wouldn't want Harriet to work to help send kids to college or for anything else. I'll support In answer to my question about the children's allowance, Mrs. JC. said, No, we never gave them an allowance. We Just give them money when they need it. If there is some left, they can keep it. Of course they need some nice clothes for the school dances. I usually help Rose pick out her clothes and John goes with Arland for shoes. We both go with him for suits. Asking about color preference in the family, I found that they all liked reds, blues, and browns. No wonder, for red was a wonderml color on black-haired, brown-eyed Rose! And I did notice that the living room rug was blue, while the upholestered furniture was dark red. I didn't see any browns. ”New I have a few questions for each of you_separately, some of which have already been answered,‘ I said. ”Mr. JC., in taking care of a family of four, you must have clothing problems. Will you tell me some of then?” "No, I guess I don't really have any problems, unless it is how to get the money to buy them with. I usually earn enough on the milk route to keep us going for clothes and some other things." 464 "Did you have a life ambition, Mr. JC.? Somthing you wanted to do or be very badly?” ”Yes, Just one. I did it too.” ‘ ”No doubt feeling as you do about your home and wife, you To own a good home and have Harriet in it. would sacrifice a good deal for your family,” I said. I'd give up anything to make them happy. ”Yes, I would. If they needed it, I'd That is, if it was for the best for them. mortgage the farm, but I'd sure hate to.” ”Do they agree on how the money you earn is spent, Mr. E.” Well, not always, but generally. Once Arland wanted to buy an old car to run around with and I didn't let him. He was mad ‘ ’ about that. Rose never says much. Yes, I guess they are pretty good about such things. I was sorry I asked him if his mother had sewed for him when he was a child, as I should have remembered his childhood story, but he wasnot hurt and replied, ”m mother died when I was a little shaver.” ”You don' t have to wear fine clothes in your work, do you?” No, Just overalls or coveralls, shirts, Jackets, and work shoes.' But I do like a couple of nice suits and nice things'to go with them to dress up in. Harriet helps me pick them out, and she knows what looks good. I like to get a new suit about every two years. I like to have my family leek Just as nice or a little nicer than other peoples". Yes, I like to have my wife She ends up by deciding buy stuff for me, except suits maybe. And I always like to get socks and‘ties for on them, too. It saves me time and trouble of buying them, and Christma‘e I alga get a good supply that way. At this point Arland came to the door, saying that his 465 father's boss from the creamery wanted to see him about hauling an extra route of milk on Monday, and so I went to the doOr with him, saying, ”Well, that is really about all anyway, Mr. JC., and I wish to thank you for giving up your Sunday afternoon to visit with me. If I can ever return this favor, won't you please let me know?” Saying he would, he went out of doors. Hrs. JC. was a very lovely-looking woman, with large brown eyes, black hair, very slightly. grey, rosy cheeks, and a rather plumpish, although nice, figure. Her manner was very kindly, courteous, I remarked that perhaps she was tired and ' and slightly quissical. would rather not continue after sitting through two sets of questions. She disclaimed the idea of being tired, and was quite eager to start. ”No doubt you sew for your daughter, don't you?” I asked. Oh yes, I sew a lot. I‘make all of Rose's clothes, coats, suits, dresses, and everything.” Of course she takes Home Ec. in school and so now is learning quite a bit about making her own things. She doesn't have time enough, though, to get it' all done. They ’ We get patterns, styles, and sew so slow in sewing classes. ideas from the Home Ec. though. Rose always likes the things She'thinks her we make and feels readily proud of her clothes. clothes are really nicer and a lot cheaper than things we by. Ice, Rose generally picks out nice things. Arland doesn't care much about picking his out. Of course I like to help them pick It's fun when I have the money to buy with. out their clothes. Of course the kids know there is Just about so much meney to spend for such things. We plan on getting a lot of our living from the farm, but the main meney from the crops has been used to pay for the farm, fence it, tile it and build our house. We had three years of high ditch taxes too.’ Our milk route money we use for the food and groceries we buy, clofiles, and to help make payments on the car. John bought a pretty expensive bull last spring too. ”Does your husband agree with you on all the spending for the children's clothes?” I asked. Yes, Just about always. One thing he does say, is that when they want some new-fangled silly thing to wear, like some kids have, that they'll have to earn it. He says it's Just like throwing money away to spend it for such stuff. I think the same. ”How do you influence your family in regard to clothing wants and needs. That is, how do you put it up to them when they disagree with you?” I asked. Her brown eyes sparkled, and she smiled. ”I don't influence them. I Just tell them. 'Ihat's all.” ”Do your children and husband like to see you have new clothes? I mean, do they realise how important new clothes are, now and then, whether there is any great necessity for them or not?” ”lhy, I don't how as they think much about it from that angle, but probably they do, if they think. Ne, w husband hardly ever helps pick out my clothes. Once in a while he does a winter coat.” ”I wonder, llrs. JC., what you would think was the most important factor, regarding income, in keeping the home life happy for everyone?” At this she pondered, as if the idea and all that it involved had never occured to her before, and slowly and thoughtfully said, ”I think the very most important thing about that is, to earn it before we spend it and not to go beyond our means, and not to spend any more than we earn.” I had been toying with the idea of asking her if she knew wlat the great tragedy in her husband's family was. I was mildly 467 curious as to what it could be, so I decided to ask. ”Mrs. JC., your husband spoke of a great tragedy in his family. I don't wish to pry, but do you know what he meant, and should I have questioned him about it?” Well, I don't know as it matters really as long as no names are in the paper. No, I'll tell you about it. Be sure there are no names, though. To begin with, their mother died when all the children were still at home, and left Rosie, a tiny baby and Okie, a year old. There was one other girl, Gracie, about eight at the time. Their dad tried to keep the home together, and they came to Michigan, poor as church nice. No Jobs, no money, no clothes, no furniture, not even beds. They managed to get a shack with three rooms a half mile north of Redstone. By the time they moved, Rosie and Okie were old enough to start school. John went to school as he wasn't old enough to quit. The rest worked around, when they could get anything to do. They ran a store bill, chewed tobacco, played cards, and set still when they weren't working. Poor Gracie took the brunt of everything, but she never heard of Home Be. There was nothing to do with, and life didn't amount to much for her. She never learned much in school because she dichi't go much. Well, the upshot of the whole thing, was Gracie had a baby when she was sixteen, by her father. I never had anything to do with him. Neither does John. Gracie wouldn't tell. Some way she was afraid to. Every- one was helpless, even the woman that helped in her confinement, old Hrs. B. She's frcn England, and used to help make the king of England's butter. Gracie waildn't tell Mrs. B. who it's father was. Anyway, it was a boy, and they named him Jim. No one outside the family ever heard much about him or saw him. He was born deaf and dumb. When he got to be about nine they sent him to a deaf and dumb school in Flint. Years after, Gracie married a widower, and they had a couple of children. When the children were small, whatever happened I don't know, but Gracie ran off. Of all things, with her dad. Left her children and everything. When her husband caught them, they were living together in a hotel. He took her home again, and we ve never known much about them since. is far as I know, the boy is still in Flint. It's a terrible story, Hrs. King, but that was the ‘ big tragedy in John's life. I guess you think we're bad folks,' but we're not. John isn't like that and neither 18 Pearl, Okie, or Rosie. They're all grown up now and gone to live away. John's father is dead too. Mrs. JC., I had no idea of this sort of family trouble when I asked about the tragedy your husband mentioned. Believe me, I didn't. I'm very sorry I asked, and I surely never will discuss it with anyone. I guess almost all families have a sketeon. I don't suppose your children know about this? ”No,” she anewered,”we thought they might feel below other people if we told them, and we don't want them to feel that way. I'd rather have them proud. We hope they never find it out.” any I'm glad it is that way. Now, Mrs. JC., I'm sure you must be feeling that you need to prepare the evening meal. I am more'than pleased with your response to aw questions, both yours and Ir. JC.'s. I'd like to show W appreciation in some way. Would you please tell me what I could do? Mrs . JG . answered, You're as welcome as the flowers in May, Hrs. King. If‘you have any late fashion magazines with clothing for me or Rose, I'd like then if you are through with them. There is one thing I've always wanted. I've always thought that if we had a dress form, we could make some pretty stylish looking clothes, and have a better fit. Do you..have you..I mesn..I read that they could be made. Do you lmow how? I thought you might have directions and if you do, I wish I could borrow them and have a try at it. I replied warmly, Yes, indeed. I do have and would be very glad to help you with it. I'll send you aw book on forms and you can get the materials together for making it. I'll mail it out as soon as I can. I'm very glad you told me about wanting it. And now, if either Lrland or Rose are ready, I'll be glad to see one of then. Ire. JG. left the room and a few moments later Rose entered. ”Hello Rose,” I greeted her, ”I hope I am not interfering with ofiyour plans.” No, lire. King, I don't‘have any special plans. After our lunch I plan to go to a show, but I have plenty of time. I don't see wtmt I can tell you that will help your book, but I am willing to try. 469 Thank you, Rose. It won't take so very long. If I could write in shorthand, we would be finished in a short time, but as I can't, we'll try not to be long anyhow. You have a'nice home here. I'm sure you must be proud of it and enjoy it a great deal. I wonder what you really enjoy most about it? Can you think of any one thing which you like better than any other ”Oh, I guess not,” answered Rose. ”I like it all. I really like nw father and mother best of anything around nw home, and Arland too, of course. Next best I guess I like the car. I've learned to drive it and I love it.” ”I see you have a nice radio. Do you listen to a good many programs?” I asked. At her nod I asked her what programs she enjoyed the most. Oh, none in particular. I like to listen to Frank Sinatra sing. In the movie 'Easter Parade' there are lots of popular songs. I haven't seen it, but I read about it in the movie column in the Farm Journal. Yes, I dance. So does Arland. Mother wasn't ' allowed to when she was a girl. We never belonged to the Scouts because we live too'far from town to attend the meetings, and we couldn't drive then. ”What do you think about the amount of money your family spends on different things? Do you feel that enough of it is spent on you?” Why yes, I never thought much about it. I get what I need, and I can't have everything. I bw most of my own clothes, but I like to have Mom give me the green light. I don't think I'd want any- thing she didn't like, for she always knows when I look right. ' Some girls don't think their mothers do know, and maybe they don't. I'Who buys the most clothes in your family?” ”I think Arland does. He has about fifteen shirts and nearly two dosen ties, I guess.” ”Do you use deoderants, depilatories, lipstick, mascara and so on?” 470 ”No, I never rave. I guess I need some, though. I have a lot of hair on aw legs. I just never happened to have any.” In answer to w question about caring for her own clothing, she replied, Oh, goodness yes. I sure do take care of w own clothes. If I didn't, Mom would make me. I have to press them, take them to the cleaners and sew on the fasteners. Mom mends anything particular, but I can darn my own socks, and I dyed a blouse the other day. ”I suppose you like to have something new occasionally to wear on dates, to school parties, and so on. Do you like to have folks give you things to wear for Christmas gifts and birthday gifts?” Yes, I like to have new things to wear to the things we kids go to, but I don't always. last winter llcm made over one of my aunt's dresses for a party, and all me kids thought it was grand. Right now I think I like that about the best of any I have. Come to think of it, I'm not too sure that lots of my things are better and look a little nicer than some of the rest of the girls. There aren't very many people to give me stuff to make over, especially as nice as Aunt Florence's dress. Well Rose, it is certainly interesting to talk to a fine girl like you with such nice parents, and a brother like Atland. I don't know him very well, but I'm sure he is a fine lad. Tell me Rose, before you go, does Arland have dates with girls, and if so, what are some of their names? To my question, Rose replied, ”Oh yes, Lrlie has plenty of dates, when Dad lets him take the car, and sometimes he double dates. One girls name is llarjorie B., and the one he likes best, I think, is June Ann 0. They're both cute girls.” Thank you, Ross. I'm glad I know you now. Maybe we can have another visit sometime. If I can ever be of help to you on your clothing problems, just let me know and I shall be very happy to do so. Goodbye, my dear. 471 ”Goodbye, Mrs. King. I'll see you again sometime.” Arland had to be sent for by his mother. A gang ofboys piled into a one seated car had come around the corner on two wheels with brakes screeching a short time before, and they were talking and laughing in a group together. Arland apparently had tried in a good-natured manner to excuse ' himself from them, which attempt they discounted, insisting that they would like to 'hear him answer the questions.' I was not sure this was a good procedure, but the family had been so very cooperative that I decided to let it go as the best way and see if anything interesting developed. In they trouped, respectfully, as if attending a funeral. I was inwardly hoping for an inspiration, and started by saying, Come on in, boys. You are welcome. I hope you won't be bored by the questions. It's nice of all of you to be‘interested, and also to give up your visiting time to talk to me. Arland, if all of your friends are comfortable, shall we start, or were you going to introduce them to me? At this Arlend belatedly made the introductions, and the boys acknowledged. ”Evidently your friends like to come to your hane, lrland. What do you like best about your home?” Well, one thing I‘like best is the car. It's a Studebaker, and it sure is smooth. It's a Comander, five passenger, and it's a dilly. I like the tractor too, and the combine. And old Shep, the dog here, I guess I like about aswell as anything. Don't I, old boy? At this point one of the gang interposed, ”Ask him what he likes best up at C.'s. Bet he'll tell you June Ann's baby sister.” 472 ”Miller, shut your peep I” said Arland. ”This is a money question. Do you think that the money your father earns is spent fairly on all of your family?” ”Yes, I guess so,” answered the boy. ”Do you like to shop for your own clothing, and if so, who do you like to have help you?” ”Not very well, I don't, but I always like to have Mom help me anyway.” ”Who buys the most clothes in your family?” ”Rose does, but I don't care. We all have plenty of stuff to wear.” At this one of the listening boys interpolated with, ”You bet Rose has lots of clothes, and nice too. she's pretty, Rose is.” ”I know of several boys who press their own clothes. Do you do that, .Lrland?‘I I‘asked. No, Mom does it. She says I've got to though. I like to take them to the cleaners best, there they get pressed too. But taking Rose's clothes and Mom and Dad's, I guess the cost sort of counts up. Again one of the boys spoke up saying, ”He wants them pressed when he goes to see Marjorie and Jane Ann,gso he'd better\learn. His mother can't be pressing them all the time.” ”Pips down, you fellows I” ”Do you have any special suit of clothes you. like better than any other, or any particular combination of clothes, such as certain jackets with certain trousers?” 473 ”No, I guess not. I like easy things, like sport shirts, no tie, no hat, and sneakers. Yes, I like to have people give me ties and socks, when they get what I like. If they don't, I give them away again.” ”Do you think that you look as well or a little bit better than your friends, as far as clothes go?” ”Just about the same,” he answered. New Lrland, these boys keep mentioning the girls. Dc tell me about the good times you have. Ihich girl do you usually take to the school dances? Marjorie or June Ann? And do you have special clothes for dates? The boy answered, I don't take either one unless I want to. When I do, I take whichever one will go. Sometimes neither one of them can. I don't dress up to go to the show or most of the dances. For the J-Hop I do. Ihsn we go roller-skating, I don't. The only club I belong to, is the Chemistry Club at school. We have a good time there. ”Do you read any magazines?” _ ”No, but I like the radio, at least the music. I don't like the speeches.” ”Nell, boys, it's bem nice to see all of you and I hope you didn't mind having me interrupt your visit. I'd like to see all of you again. When you graduate, why don't you come to Alma College to school?” A chorus of ”Maybe,” ”Not going to college,” ”Bye,” and ”So long,” floated back to me as they noisily wait out. CASE STUDY 18 FARM THE J---FAMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE FORTY THE MOTHER, AGE THIRTY-EIGHT JACQUELINE, AGE SIXTEEN NANCY, AGE TEN The J. family are renters on a farm of one hundred and forty acres and live about five miles from any town. They are people of fairly good appearance and of a kindly nature. They seemed interested and perhaps a bit pleased at the prospect of the interviews._ They told me, however, that their eldest daughter, Jacqueline, was some twenty-five miles away attending Academy School at Cedar Lake, where she was in the tenth grade. I knew, inediately, tint the school was for the Advent people and became more interested than I had been before. I said nothing to indicate whether or not I knew, but asked if it would be possible to see the girl on Saturday. The mother said, ”You could see Earnest and I right now and Nancy will be home in another hour, but you couldn't see Jackie on Saturday. That's our Sabbath.” I apoligized and asked if I might see her on Sunday and this was quite agreeable. They did not seem perturbed as to what I did with my Sabbath, if I did not encroach on theirs. 475 Since they were willing to see me at the moment, I thought it best to stay and return on Sunday, which was three days away. I asked llr. J. to be first and he readily acquiesced. Ir. J. was asked the background questions as to birth, where raised and so forth. He figited a little, in his speech before he could put into words the thing he wanted to say. After a moment, however, he began. I ”was born right here within fifteen miles of this place and I've lived in this neighborhood for forty years, so I pretty much know all about my neighbors. Course I've gone away for spells at a time, like when I worked in the‘hcspital in Battle Creek when Cleora and me was first married. Her folks lived there and I met her in the school when it first started in Holly. You know about our Advent School at Holly? It's not as big as the one at Cedar Lake, but it cost more. W wife and I was both there for two years and that's how we come to meet each other. After we got married, I worked in the hospital as an orderly for a couple of years an' then we decided to go back to the farm where‘m folks lived. We've rented three farms around Gratiot County, and we've lived here for five years now. I'm thinkin' of leavin' farmin' an' goin' to work for our church insurance. I can earn more than this way, an' it sure takes a lot of money to keep Jackie at the Acadeaw, and Frank, that's our boy that got married last fall, and he's eighteen an' graduated last spring from the Academy. It makes it hard, I tell you, but we furnish the school with lots of canned fruit and potatoes and eggs and things like that, from the farm, and that helps a lot. ”Do you take meat to the school? That is a big item, isn't it?” I had asked the question thoughtlessly, for I knew that Advents were not meat eaters. Mr. J. answered with dignity, In our church we don't eat meat. Ie've thought some of joining the 'I Am' church, for they're something like ours, only a step higher in the faith, so I understand. But they don't eat anything with eyes, and tlmt seems to'be carrying things beyond hm living power, to be faithful. There's a group in Lansing that masts and listens to telephone lectures from St. Frances, who leads 476 ”St. Frances?" I questioned. 'St. Frances calls Lansing from out in New Mexico and gives the lecture and the members pay their money to him,“ he answered. 'I am interested in such a religion. Will you tell me more about it?’ He said, ' I know that we are interested, because it's a step farther on than our faith, and many of our people are taking that step. It don't mean deserting our religion. It means going on higher with it. 'But,‘ said I, with true interest, 'llhy can't they eat meat with eyes? In your faith don't you eat sane meat?‘ We dm't eat anything but chicken or any other fowl. He don't eat the flesh of any animal like beef or pork. The new movement which forbids us eating anything with eyes is because of the fear. The ' fear shows in anything when it is to be killed. It shows in their eyes for they know they are going to die and when people eat the food, the fear enters their body and if we have fear in us we can't be as close to the divine spirit. We have to cast out fear if we're to get help from above. 'Tell me, llr. J., who is St. Frances and why is he called a Saint” 8t. Frances is the leader and he ascended to heaven and came back to earth to help people. He was taken up a mountainside in California, where he met his wife who had passed on and then he was brought back to teach people and he can ascend any time he wants to. We didn't join yet, but we want to go to Lansing when we find out Just where to do, and hear the Saint talk. 'Tell me Mr. J., do you remenber how you used to dress to go to church, or how your father and mother dressed?” Iell, I'll tell you. I come from a family of six boys so I didn't wear too good clothes, I guess. My father and mother always kept us neat and clean though, and I guess we looked as good as most of 477 the ones in the neighborhood did. I don't remqnber anything special about any of us. 'Did your mother sew for you when you were a boy?" Sure, she made clothes for us all the time and with so many of us we was all used to hand-me-downs, and when we got so we couldn't wear something, the next smallest one put it on, so Mother never had to fix things over much. My wife sews too, and our girls have got a lot of things given to them. We don't buy too much new stuff. Our children's been raised to give instead of receive and this year when it was Valentine's Day, Nancy and her pennies to get valentines for everyone she could think of an' she never asked for a thing for herself. Her mother an' I told her she might get a dress an' she did, but it wasn't a new one. Her teacher come over that night an' had a whole bunch of things her girl had grown out of an' Nancy could put every one of 'em right on an' wear 'em, and was she tickled. Trouble is, she's pretty big aromd her waist and her mother said she'd have to make things a little bigger there for her. “Are the things that you do buy in the line of clothing bought by Mrs. J.? Or by you?” Oh, Cleora busys around buying everything, but she lets the girls help pick 'em out, an' she helps me, too. Her eye is pretty good ' for things like that. She just knows what looks good on all of us. We don't go in for very fancy things, but we like to look decent. I think it's an offence to God not to look as decent as we can, don't you? ,. I nodded and asked, "What is the color you and your family like best?“ ‘ llr. J. looked at me for a moment and said, ”Well now, I wish you'd talk to my wife about that. There's a lot about colors of things in the 'I Am' movement and she can tell you better than Ican.‘I ’Do you and your family try to dress in the latest fashion, Mr. J.?' I wouldn't say that, but my wife tries to'make herself look in style I guess without it costing her much. She can tell you how. 478 But she suits me all right. The girls do too, and I think they look as good as my girls. Anyway, they're nice girls, and they're not as selfish as some. "Do you approve of the girls or Mrs. J. wearing slacks, shorts or playsuits or that sort of thing?‘ Mr. J. shook his head and said, “We don't believe in that sort of thing, Mrs. King.‘ It was said with dignity and did not brook further discussion. 'lill you tell me some of the things you do together as a family, Mr. J.?' Very promptly he answered, Oh we go to church on Saturday, but our Sabbath really begins at sundown on Friday and we don't work after that until sundown on Sunday. We go to church and church suppers and we visit the sick of our church. We visit friends too, and the girls like that. "With a family to support, I suppose there must be some problems and I am interested in the clothing problems, particularly. Will you tell me whether or not you have some?” “It's Just like I said,‘ he answered, ”Cleora can manage on almost nothing for the girls clothes and she fixes over everything but than for me. I don't wear a suit our fast." 'Will you tell me how long your suite last, Mr. J.?" Off hand, I'd say about six years more or less an' you Imow that's something I was goin' to tell you. Cleora makes ties for men out of old silk dresses of hers or the girls. She learned in the school an' they're nice, too. So they never cost me amrthing. 'Do you feel that your personal appearance is important in your work on the farm?‘ No. It might be though if I take up the work for the church for then I'd have to wear my suit, I guess. I always dress up 479 to go to church or the suppers though. Here when I'm workin' I go like I am now. I think it's mighty important to be clean though, and that's one thing my wife's always said to the girls is 'Be clean and you'll be good.' We never had any trouble with them after tint. Mr. J. had referred to his present garb, which consisted of blue overalls, light blue shirt and a heavy mackinaw which he had lain aside. Before anything more could be said, Nancy, the ten year old daughter, came bounding into the house. That is, she bounded if a very heavy little girl 32 bound. Her flaxen hair was flying and her checks were rosy from the cold air. She stopped short at seeing a caller. 'Her mother told her what was wanted and she said, ”Could I be now and let you be last, Mamma?’ Upon beingquestioned, she said, "Because I want to read my book to- night and if I do this now then I can read, can't I? But if I read first, I would have to stop.‘I Her mother explained that Nancy was greatly interested in reading and I told her I would be glad to interview the child right away. Nancy was sent to wash her hands and back she came, with her pudgy little body looking almost stuffed with cotton. 'Ilhat is it you want to read tonight, Nancy?’ Instead of being answered, the child trotted to a nearby table and came back with two books, both of which were Bible stories with colored illustrations. Both were of about an inch in thickness and were clean and well kept. I examined them and asked, ”What other books do you read?” 480 ”None but these,” said Nancy. ”I got this one for Christmas and this one after I got hurt on w sled. See my eye?” I looked and sure enough, Nancy had signs of a black and blue eye and a small scar on one side of her face. She proceeded to tell me of her accident and when she had finished, she asked, ”Would you like to read my books?” I explained that I would like very much to do so, but that it would be best if I did not take them away from her. In order to introduce an! questions, I asked, ”How would you like to dress? Like the people in the stories, Nancy?” She shook her head and said, ”I wouldn't like it because I'd fall down. I like to play in things like that though. I mean the robes. I put my mother's night gown on and look something like that.” ”Will you tell me which of your dresses or suite that you wear you like the best?” ”I like aw pink and brown dress that Mrs. C. gave me the best, but it's too tight and the kids at school tease me. It's too tight right here.” She pointed to her waistline ruefully saying, ”My mother said she's going to fix it, but she ain't got nothing to fix it with.” "What color would you like a new dress to be if you were to have one, Nancy?” Without hesitation she said, "Pink. I like it best of all.” ”Would Mother let you help choose it?” 481 Vigorously, she said, She lets me pick out my anklets and those things when I get some. I don't need any dress now. I got some Mrs. C. brought me. They were her daughters and Daddy said that it was nice and so did Mama. ”Would you like to ever wear Jackie's clothes, Nancy?” I wouldn't mind if I could have her pink sweater, but that's all. I can't have it though. She says it wouldn't go over my stomach, but it would. I don't care when she says that, but I care when Mama says I can't have any candy anymore. ”If you could choose, which would you rather have for Christmas or birthdays, books, clothes or toys, Nancy?” Without hesitation, Nancy said, ”Books. I like stories best. I like Bible stories, best like these,” and she pointed to the books she had shown me previously. ”Does lather sometimes make clothes for you and do you like them?” She merely nodded her head and said nothing. I waited for a moment and at last Nancy said, ”Did your mother?” I nodded and said, ”Yes, Nancy, aw mother sewed for me and made clothes over for me, too, and I liked them most of the time.” ”I didn't like 'the green dress Hanna made for me,” she said_at last. ”I like my pink one best, even if it is tight on my stomach. I don't care.” ”Do you have a doll?” She shook her head. ”I'm too big. I like to read best.” . ”Do you always like Mother's new dress when she gets one, Haney?” Shyly, she nodded and said, ”I like her green one, but I don't like my green one very well.” I asked why she did not like her on green dress and she shrugged her plump little shoulders and said 482 nothing. ”Do you earn any money of your own, Nancy?” Hanna and Daddy give me some pennies and some nickels and I pay my own money at church and some of it I use for gum, when we go to town. I bought a handkerchief for Jackie's birthday, too, and I'm going to buy one for Mamma's with a flower for her coat. ”What color will the flower be?” ”Pink,” was the little girl's answer. Was this due to her home training in religion, I wondered? ”I have saved some money for Christmas, but it's all gone now and I've only got fifteen cents left. When Daddy gives me scme pennies, I have to buy Mama's thing for her her birthday.” ”Do you love your sister very much, Nancy? You said you didn't care when she teased you.” ”The reason I don't care is because I tease her, too, about her stomach. It's bigger than mine.” ”If you would like to be excused now and read your book, you may go Nancy. I think it must be a very interesting story. Perhaps you can tell me about it when I come again. Would you ask if your Ila-n is too busy to talk to me now?” She trotted away and later curled herself up in the big leather rocker which was in the corner. There she lost herself in the book and did not look up until I was leaving the house an hour later. Ire. J., a large woman of rather yellowish complexion and black hair and eyes, sat down and seemed comfortable and. at ease. Her fore- arms were covered with coarse black hair I noticed, but she had a 48:5 kindly smile and brisk intelligent manner. I asked her to tell me of her birth place and the usual infor- mation in regard to her childhood. She responded by saying, Well, I don't know what Earnest has told you about me or aw family, but we lived in Battle Creek. It was the only home I ever knew, but I guess my folks did live on a farm once, before I was born. They are out in Arizona now, for my father's health. He has asthma so bad and he can't breathe very well. Nancy does a lot of reading and I guess she's a lot like I was when I was a girl. Jackie is a reader, too, and always has her nose in a book, but I'd rather they'd be that way than loud and noisy. We've never had any trouble with the girls and I'm thankful for that. I was Just an ordinary girl, I guess. I was always a little heavy, like the girls. They like to read and so did I when I was a girl. They like to do the things that we do and go with us and I was that way with my parents. I can remember once of going to a wedding with my father and mother, and how I cried when they got married. I always went everywhere with them until I was a big girl and went to Holly to school. Did Earnest tell you about that? That's where we met and he says now that he wouldn't have any nice ties if I hadn't met him and wanted to make him a tie. We learned to do it there. I sell a few of then now for a little pin money. Wouldn't you like to see one of them? ' I said that I would, and Mrs. J. arose and went into another room. When she came out she had not one, but several, ties in her hand, all of which were very nice looking. She said, They're made from old things. I make some for our menfolks. w husband and brother both like them better than the ones they could buy. My father wouldn't wear one though. He has always, since I can remember, had a black bow tie and when I was little, I used to think he looked more like the minister than the minister looked like himself, because I'thought the minister ought to wear that kind of a tie, you know. ”Do you remember how you and your parents used to dress to go to church, Mrs. J.?” She thought for a moment and said, I can think of one thing that I always remember about my mother and church, and that was her veil. She always had a veil on her hat and it was black, and my father's tie was black, but I don't 484 think of anything else just now. 'Your husband eXplained about the 'I Am' movement that you are interested in and I wonder if you will tell me about the colors connected with it? He told me that you could explain it much better than you could.‘ I don't know all about it, Hrs. King, but it's wrong to wear black because black is for evil spirits and brings sadness. It shuts out the divine spirit and lets in the evil. Light colors are the divine ones. Pink, light blue, yellow and lavender are the colors that make for divine guidance. I don't know about red, but white is for purity and I guess that's all I know about them. 'Do you observe the wearing of those colors, Mrs. J.?" We aren't joined up yet, but we are thinking of it. I think we will, but we vent to go to the rooms in Lansing and hear the message from Saint Frances first. He's the leader. Several of us want to go down tagether before we decide. We've had talkers here at our church and a lot more in, but we don't know for sure yet. We don't really wear the colors yet, but we will if we Join. I'd have to make more things for us to wear if we do, for the things that're given to us for the girls wouldn't always be the right color. I tell Earnest that we maybe shouldn't for that reason, because I make so many things over for Jackie and Nancy. At least they wear a lot of clothes like that and I don't always have to do anything to the things we get so I can't say they're made over, but I have to make things bigger around the waist and hips some for both the girls sometimes. We're pretty lucky to have things like that. Mother sent a whole box from out where she is the other day, and it had some things that was just beautiful and fit about perfect. Who does the buying of clothes for the family, Mrs. J.?' She smiled and said, The girls and me. Earnest is a baby about it‘and wants my help. I tell him he's worse than the girls ever was. They like to be with me to pick out their things and I think it should be that way. I don't buy many of’mine ready made. I made this one I've got on over the other day. 485 It was a green and black figured rayon material. I looked it over caremlly to see how it had been made over." She explained, 'See this band of black in the skirt? I put it in to make it longer. It was almost up to 11w knees.’ I complimented her on the good taste with which she had accomplished the work. It really looked quite modish. ”I take it that you are interested in being in style, Mrs. JJ" l She smoothed her skirt and said, 'Oh yes, but not like some. I like to have'things enough like's in style so no one will notice the difference. I don't believe in extremes, though.” 'lhat do you think of girls and women going without hose and without hats? I think it depends on the place they're going. I think in church they have to wear a hat no matter what their age is, but Nancy's too young to worry about silk hose. She wears her anklets to school and her cotton lisle ones on Sunday. She's never had any silk ones and Jackie only has them for wear on Sunday and the rest of the time she wears cotton ones or anklets. The girls at the school all do. 'Do the girls wear jeans, slacks or shorts or that sort of thing?” We try to keep our reading on religious books and articles and we don't believe in shows and dancing or anything like that, and to wear clothes like you mentioned would not be right for us. Some of the people in the church do'allow their children to wear overalls to play in, but that's all. 'Does Jacqueline have to dress in any special way at the Academy” ”Oh, Just a little nicer than she woid in grade school, I'd 486 say. It isn't the kind of school that teaches the girls to be vain and think of nothing'but themselves. It teaches them other things.‘ I'What is your opinion in regard to charge and lay-a-way accounts, Mrs. J.?" In a very decided tone of voice, Mrs. J. said, I Just don't believe in that way of doing at all. It might be all right for rich people but not for anyone like us, who has to work for a living and try to make ends meet all the time. Besides, I don't want our girls to get in any habit like that. 'llrs. J., how do you feel that you have an influence over your family in regard to their clothing wants and needs?” She thought, started to speak and checked herself. At last she said, I guess my trying to teach the children that other things are more important than worldly matters. Earnest and I have always done that, and I think all parents should. We like the nice things too, but we try not to let it get the best of us. What we eat md what we wear should be kept in the background a little and still bring a little joy to people. In the 'I Am' movement, what we wear is a symbol of divine things bedause the colors I told you about each bring out a different idea. Maybe I in- fluence my family because they are giod children and they're never hard to make mind or to do as we ask. 'Do you keep a record of clothing expenditures or do you have a budget, Mrs. J.?' ”No. It's the other thing we don't bother with, for I think you have to know just about what you're going to have in money to do things like that.' 'Does your husband ever select clothing for you, Mrs. J. 1" She laughed and said, ”No. It's the other way around, but I only help him with his things. He thinks I know what looks good, and I kind of like that.‘ 487 "Do you have an allowance for clothing?” She shook her head and said, Nothing like that for the reason I told you. I think people have to have a certain amount of money coming in, and farmer's don't. I get the egg money and I give the girls what I can, but nothing they can call an allowance. Earnest and I just pay the expenses, buy what things we have to have, and go without when we have to. We let the church come first and save a little if we can, but that's hard with Jackie in school. It takes all we can get hold of to keep us all going. After Jackie gets out of the Academy, she can go on to our Advent college if she wants to work her way, but I gmss she wants to do the church work with her daddy. If she should marry as young as some do, she'll be married in another year, but I guess she won't, for she don't pay any attention to the boys yet, and I'm glad. 'Hhat are some of the ways you keep up on what is in style in clothing, Hrs. JJ Do you listen to fashion talks over the radio or read the magazines, or what?" Mostly, I look at the things in the store windows and in our catalogues like the Montgomery and the sears, and we all look at all the pictures of things. We don't have a radio right now for we let not brother and his wife take it to Greenville when they got married. The girls want another one, but we can't afford it yete 'How about magazines that you read, Mrs. J. 7" Our Sign of the Times is a strictly religious magazine. “by justjn theTasthsue, the question is asked which is more important to us, 'Nice clothes or the call to go and spend our- selves for others.' You see, in our church, we have to be ready to give up our homes if need be. It's not just a matter of having names on the church roll. Matthew said, 'If anyone wants to go with me, he must disregard himself and take his cross and follow me.' I believe it too. 'Does it cost as much to clothe Jacqueline as it does for yourself?” 'I'd say no. I get things from so many people in our church 488 for our girls, you see. The people who have, give, you know." I visited a few moments longer with Mrs. J. and left with the understanding that I would call on the following Sunday, which was on larch 30th. The day I called to see Jacqueline was cold and bright. I found the family engaged in doing the weekly wash. The activity was that of non-Advent homes on a Monday morning. The work was being done in the kitchen and I could see the wash boiler on the kitchen range and the steamy suds returned definate odors to the dining roc- where I eat. The younger girl had invited me in and was regaling me with facts about her Bible story, which I had said I would ask about on my return visit. Jacqueline came in with her mother and I saw at once that she was a replica of her parent, with the hair on her arms being a soft reddish fuzz, instead of black, and also not being quite the size or age of her mother. Her plumpness was that of a ripe sixteen, rather than the heaviness of a woman of thirty-eight years. We visited and it was fully an hour before Mrs. J. and Nancy left the room. We had sampled the pecan nuts which had come as a gift from the parents in Arizona, and had discussed the weather and the Academy. The time had come for us to talk alone. Mrs. J. had said she would cooperate by keeping Nancy busy in the kitchen. I proceeded to ask Jacqueline the questions in regard to money and she responded, She She the 489 Honestly, I don't know. My mother gives me all the money she can spare, but we don't call it allowance. I get about an average of five dollars a month, I guess. Dadda and Manna pay all the school expenses and it takes a lot for board and tuition and they take a lot of stuff to eat and that helps pay my board, and I work some in the school bakery and that helps, too, but I'd have to say that I don't think the money my family has is shared in a fair way, because I take most of the money for school, I guess. My brother did, too, but he's married now, you know. I'll be glad when I'm out and then I can help save so Nancy can go. I want to work with Daddy when I finish. 'Do you do your an shopping for your own clothes, Jacqueline?” looked a bit bewildered and said, We get lots of things from some quite rich people who've got a big farm and they're in our church. They're awful good to us, so we don't have to buy much. I like most of them a lot. Once in a while I get something that I'd rather Nancy had, but I'm bigger than she is and we take what fits us best. I tell her she looks stuffed and Mama tells her it's too little for her, but she'll make it bigger, but she never wants her to. I'm the biggest, but she's bigger here. ‘ ran her hand around her waist line as she spoke. Will you tell me which of your outfits that you wear you like best, Jacqueline?” I think it's my jerkin and skirt the best,I bought it last su-er. I guess I like it best because I never bought anything before that I earned the money for. I don't think it's quite as pretty as some of the other things I've got, but I like it best anyway. It makes me look slimer, too, I think. ”Whose opinion do you value most in regard to your personal appearance, Jacqueline‘t'I She thought for a moment before saying, It would be either Msmma's or Miss F's. She's my English teacher at school and she's the prettiest one there is. I, like her a lot and she tells us if our hair is right and if our slips hang and things like that. I"Do you have personal problems that you discuss with her, too, Jacqueline?” 490 "Not very many I guess. I like to talk over personal things with my mother and lemma says that if I can't tell them to her, I can't tell anyone.” I'Do you have personal problems Jacqueline? I mean for instance anything in regard to your dates, your cosmetics, deoderants and so forth. Those things sometimes make problems. I don't go with boys, yet, and so I don't have to worry about it. I did think I might have a friend by this summer, but I don't know; Daddy and Hamma think I'm.too young this year but they won't care by summer. But I don't like anybody yet. ‘We don't use anything but powder on our nose at school and only the older girls can do that, you know. Some of the girls who are just there for fun will have to leave if they don't change and they're the ones who use lipstick and stuff like that. I don't know about the other. 'Do you mean the deoderants?" I asked. She nodded and I ex- plained what I meant. 'We don't buy anything like that,” she said. 'We are taught that soap and'water are the right things to use and Mhmma says that if I take a sponge bath every day that I don't need anything more than that.’ 'wa do you feel about the removal of under ans hair, Jacqueline?’ I had asked the question in that form purposely in order to find whether or not the answer would be connected with their religion. It was! 'We are taught that the hair on our bodies is put there by God, Hrs. King.’ ’Bow”would you classify your appearance in comparison with 491 that of your friends, May I ask?” After a moment, she said, "I look like the other girls in our school and church as far as I know. Do I look different to you from girls you lmow?” I hastened to assure her that she looked exactly as most girls I knew. She was dressed in a faded wash dress of blue and white check. It was short and her over-plump legs were quite exposed, but there was nothing exceptional about it to make her conspicious as to the way it was made. 'Jacqueline, Have you ever been ashamed of the way your parents of Nancy look?‘ Her surprise was genuine and she looked a little shocked. I explained that I had no reason to think that she should be and that it was not meant to offend her. At last she said, Well then, nothing but Nancy when she looks as if she'd been tied with a string in the middle like a sack of our wheat. She had rheumatic fever, you know, and when she gained to get her well, Mama thinks she ought to stay that way so she won't get it again. "I wonder if you girls take care of your own clothing?" ls don't do anything to it only keep it picked up. Mama does that. At school, we have to keep our rooms neat all the time as a report is sent home about it. I bet home often enough so we get 1V things ready to take back when I go on Sunday night. It's only about twenty-five miles. ‘ What do you do for amusement?” We have our lessons to do in our rooms every night and we can go for walks around the grounds and we go to church in our chapel every morning. I read a lot' in our reading room and we can play games in our free hour. We play a rope game to exercise us and we play outdoor games like 'Run, Sheep Run' and things like that. We mks candy and pop corn balls and we crochet holders and we have a little greenhouse, too. News has let me take slips of a lot of plants to put in it and they're all in blossom now. 492 ”In your reading room, do you have magazines that you like to read, Jacqueline?” 'wo have all church books and Bible stories and magazines in there. There are lots of good stories.” ”Are there articles about clothing and how to keep dressed in the latest fashion, Jacqueline?” She only shook her head. ”Will you tell me the thing that you enjoy the most at home and the least at home?” The most I think is just being here after I've been away. I get homesick all the time and I'd rather be at home, but I want to finish so I can work and help. The least, is the times when I have to work out-doors. I don't like that and it makes freckles come out on me. I have to when Daddy needs me, but I don't likO its I left the J. home with the feeling that the family had been a disappointment in so far as clothing problems‘were concerned but that I had at least learned of a new religious movement of which I had known nothing. I was greatly interested in Saint Frances and his ascension and mean to find out more about this strange cult if possible. CASE STUDY 19 FARM THE Bin-FMEILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE THIRTY-EIGHT THE MOTHER, AGE THIRTY-SIX MASA, AGE FIFTEEN JIMMY, AGE TWELVE The 11. family live on a farm on one hundred and fifty acres which is situated about two and one half miles from a small village. I had telephoned Mrs. M. about two weeks prior to my visit and she had given her permission to be there on Thursday at two o'clock in the afternoon. I had met both Mr. and Mrs. M. previously, as they had once taken a load of teen-agers to a lake where my husband and I had also taken a load. The acquaintance’was merely that of saying a few pleasantries of a very casual nature. I had known that both husband and wife were college graduates and tint they were active in farm work in their community as far as county meetings were concerned, for I had seen their names in print many times. I had never seen their home and was interested to note that the house and grounds were not imaculately kept. Various tools were strewn around as filough they had not been housed during the winter, and a ram-shackled shed, rather spoiled the appearance of what might have been attractive grounds. The fence which surrounded the barnyard 494 sagged badly and appeared to be ridden to the ground in places. While I had been prepared to find an attractive, well kept home, I was dismayed to find instead, a house which looked as though it had been stirred with a large spoon. Was this what college training did for a woman? I explained more fully what it was I wished, and Mrs. M. and I sat down in the midst of untidiness to talk. I found that her husband was running the farm and teaching in a consolidated school as an emergency measure for the time being. He was expected home by four o'clock as were the two children, both of whom were transported by bus to and from their school. Mrs. M. was dressed in a cotton house dress which in itself was not unattractive. Her appearance was marred by the fact that her white slip, which looked rather grayish, showed at least four inches below the dress. Her hair was black and threaded slightly with gray and was not dressed in a late mode, although it suited her size and facial structure. However, it was not neat. Her hands, which looked strong and capable, were not reddened by farm work, but the nails showed rims of grayish soil. Her speech was perfect as to English, but there was a rather nasal twang or whine and the tone was rather high pitched. She smiled a good deal, which showed a row of protruding upper teeth, which made an unpleasant impression. Her body lookedstrong and she had a nice figure, although it tended to be shapeless. Us had discussed the weather, the fact that her husband was 495 temporarily working at two things, the price of farm produce, her flock of chickens which she had mentioned and Farm Bureau work as it concerned the county. I found that both she and her husband had been of rural stock for many years and that she had been trained in Home Economics and that her husband was a trained agriculturist. was I. '3‘ saying, I tell Foster that I can't keep house and sew too. He thinks I ought to keep things like Mother M. used to, but it's just impossible. When I sew, I want to sew and I don't want to stop and do something else. I nab all the children's clothes and he ought to think of that. Mother M. isn't here now, but we keep her room with her things in it for her. She is with her brother right now. It was a rather strange way for the interview to get started as she tried to apoligize for the appearance of the house. There seemed to be no rhythm or rime to it as things were piled about, and none of the clothing was from new material, as there were linings and half ripped up garments about. ”Tell me about your sewing, Mrs. M. Are you making something over and do you saw for yourself, too?” I sew everything we have except aw coats and of course I don't do my husbands things. I tell you that farmers can't afford to buy the things that they wear. Why, we aren't eating any meat or fresh fruits or vegetables right now. They're just too expensive and we won't give in and buy them. We deserve high prices for the things we grow like that. Yes, I'm making over Jim a coat from his grandfather's. He's dead you know and has been for years, but Foster never thought his mother wanted me to use it, but now Jimmy needs a coat and I'm using it anyway. Mother M. shouldn't leave it around if she doesn't want it used. Materials are so high and out of sight now, that I only buy new material for a dress for myself and once in awhile for Mass. Foster's sister gives us lots of things and aw stepmother sends us things to make over. 496 You see, we've been paying on this fam ever since we were married, and every cent had to count. Why Foster wouldn't understand if I didn't make over all the things I can. He..0h I feel like a heel to talk about him, but he's good and I don't mean it that way, but his mother wouldn't understand either and.... Again she paused and this time she failed to speak until prompted by another question. "Do the children like the things you make for them, Mrs. 1L?" She looked at me in surprise. I suppose they do. I never asked them. It's a matter of necessity anyway so why shouldn't they like them? I don't have a lot of things. Why, I couldn't even go on the honeymoon I wanted. Not many girls would have done what I did. I wasn't even asked. I was taken up the river on a canoe trip and I tell you not many girls would have done that. Mrs. E.'s eyes filled with tears and as she rubbed her hand across her eyes, she said, I'm sorry, but it gets too much for me when I get to thinking about things. I never even knew that I was going to be brought out here to live with Mother M. Foster had lived with his mother and run that farm after his father died and it was never discussed before we were married, and when we got here after the canoe trip, here was his mother, and I was expected to live in-her home. I couldn't change anything and I had to consult her about everything. She didn't want me to can because she thought I wouldn't know how, but I did it anyway. Farmers have to can. Nell, we're still living with Mother E.'s things. I can't dye a rug because she wouldn't like it and if I did I'd have to ask her what color. I know my taste isn't the best about furnishings, but I'd like the privilege ofdeciding a few things for myself. All of this Ind first come slowly and then fairly poured out of Mrs. ll.'s lips and new that it was said, the tears came to her eyes and poured over her. cheeks. I don't know what on earth is the matter with me today. I've never talked like this in my life, but it's all true. I guess ' E's-fang you find me in such a mess bothered me. Bitter as it is, though, I'm always in a mess and I can't seem to get things 497 straightened out and cook for the wood buzzers and take care of the chickens and the seperator and do the house work, and besides, I just lost a job. The tears streamed over her cheeks again although she was making no sound. I was at a loss to know what to do with a strange woman who apparently was at the breaking point over something. “Would you care to tell me about the job? Sometimes it helps to talk, you know. You may rest assured that I will not talk about whatever you may say to me today.‘ I waited thinking that if she cared to unburden herself, I would listen. Otherwise, I would let her regain her composure and then go on with another question. At last she looked up, wiped her eyes and said, I suppose it all started a long time ago and that I must be as mch to blame as Foster. He won't talk. I think I need help. I think I need a psychiatrist and I've tried to get Foster to go too, but he won't talk about it. I lost a Job that I had for the rest of the school year in Home Economics as a fill-in in Midland. I had the job for twa weeks now and was told I wasn't needed. If I hadn't insisted on knowing why, I might not be making a spectacle of myself in front of you today. I've never had a friends to talk to and Foster and I have no friends to pal around with. llhen he firat asked me for a date and asked me to a game, a dinner and dance all for the same day, I should have known it was to make me believe it would always be that way, but the minute were married almost, it stopped and we've been to one movie in exactly four years, if you can believe it. And it's true, Mrs. King. Why, I wasn't allowed to write a check on his checking account after we were married and I couldn't get a pair of shoes even for two years after we were married. Not too long ago, I needed a coat so badly, and I had sixty dollars to buy it with. So I went to Saginaw to get it and I couldn't touch a fur trimmed coat for that money. I finally found a coat I'd have been satisfied with, but it cost seventy and I had the check book, but knew Foster wouldn't understand and I didn't dare write a check for the ten dollars. So I took a black cloth coat for forty dollars. When I got home and told him, he said that was the trouble with a woman with a check book. That they weekly spent money foolishly for clothes. Why last Easter, I had a girdle for my Easter clothes! 498 Again the tears rained over her cheeks and she went on, I don't know why I cry, but it all seems so hopeless, but I don't mean to talk against my husband. He is so clean, a good Christian and he does not chase after other women, but we're so far apart. I can't talk to him for he won't listen. I tell you he's an introvert and stays within himself and he says I want to wear the pants. I don't think that's true. It is true that I think he would be a lot better farmer if he would get up in the morning at six o'clock, but he won't. He won't get up until seven and he wastes so much time. Look at the barnyard fence and you'll see, and I want to manage the dairy herd differently, but that's not dictating to him, but he says I antagonize him all the time but I don't mean to. I'm mentally ill from it. We don't go anywhere but to the Farm Bureau and that's one of the things that started it all. I wanted him to give it up. I'm tired of trying to live down to the level of my neighbors. Why, his mother only had a third grade education and I've had to be on her level of thinking. She didn't approve of w working for three months and said I would be neglecting Foster, so I got a girl all hired to do the house work and be here when the children came ho- and now I don't have that either. I had to let her go. Foster thought I should take the job and urged me too, and I can't tell him why I've lost it. I haven't told him yet. It was just yesterday, and he thinks I went this morning. Maybe that's why I'm talking so. I don't know what to tell him. I'll never tell him anything about it. He thinks that I let you know not to come until later in the day. Could you ssy that you dich't get the message? The tears continued to course down her checks in a hopeless sort of way. Shall I break down and tell you the rest? I've never had anyone to talk to since w mother comitted suicide when I was a little girl and maybe that made me never have a friends to tell things to. My childhood was poor and unhappy and we never had anything to do with, and I had to work my way through high school by scrubbing floors and doing all kinds of work and when I went to Central, I had to do the same. I never could buy a text book even. How I got through is a mystery to me yet, but I was so determined to get myself up on a higher level and when Foster asked me to marry him, I thought the time had come when all my dreams were to be realised and I was to have an easy life. Not so though. I can’just live here from day to day washing the separator and cooking, cleaning and making over. It seems so hopeless. I'd thought the temporary job would be the answer and Foster thought so too, and even when I wanted to change In mind and say 'No' he wouldn't let me. Hrs. King, he wanted me to be gone. I am repellant to my husband. 499 Her hands twisted and the tears continued to fall unchecked. Here was a woman who must unburden herself and I had been the person who was nearby when the storm broke. At last she said, I'm going to tell you. I must tell someone. I've known for a long time that I wasn't popular with my neighbors for they don't turn to me for help or advice and they know I'm a trained person. The Farm Bureau has taken Foster away from me most of the evenings since I've been married and he never thought that after being with someone with a third grade education all day that I needed his companionship in the evening or needed some recreation. He left the Farm Bureau a while ago, but things have been worse since that and he won't talk about it. Just says that he won't discuss it. The only thing that's left to us is the church and I changed from the Methodist to the German Lutheran church when we were married, and if you could only know the religious struf-gles that Foster and his mother have gone through it might explain a lot, for the Lutheran Church creed is hell-fire and brimstone and I gave up my church for it. I think he has tried to defend me to Mother M. about my not understanding some of their religion, but he's been under strain I know. When she left, I thought things would be better but they're not. I know that I shouldn't expect his mother with her education, to be up to my level or his. The trouble with him is that even when he was in college he was an introvert. I know from things he says and his mind was with his mother's on so ' many things. Mother M. didn't want me to take the job I mentioned, and after I told her, she had quite a lot to say, but we decided to do it anyway for Foster wanted me to work and said that it would be a way for me to get the things I wanted. I don't want much. Just enough to keep my self respect, Mrs. King. It's different with the children. They are too young to understand and we try not to talk in front of them. Quarrel, I mean, for we can't talk. The job was to be a way out and get me out of Foster's way so I wouldn't antagonize him, but I lost it and I can't tell him why. He'd never understand that I should have bought some clothes and spruced up a little before going to teach. I bought one uniform and I couldn't wash it every day, but I tried to do it twice a week, but I know it was soiled and I'm so tall it's hard to get one long enough and I know my sli‘p hung. I always have an awful time with it and I lmow the Foods Lab. was a mess and that I acted stupid before the girls, but Mrs. King, I was licked be- fore I ever started. I didn't want to go because I lmew I wouldn't look right. All I've got is a navy blue suit jacket and a heed skirt for street wear and I had to wear it all the time I wasn't in m uniform and I lmew all those things, but to have a 500 superintendent tell me! I'll never get over the humilation and I can't tell Foster, for I already repel him. I'll just have to say I didn't like it and decided not to do it and then I can just stay here day after day and nothing will be changed. The hopeless, dreary voice stopped. I had been tense for long moments mself because of her agony of confession and because of some- thing that was happening. As she had talked, a hideous odor had come from her body, and I had shifted my chair all that I dared in order that I 1111th get away from it. The odor had been there since I had first entered the room, but new it was overpowering and swept over me in waves until I was positive that I could endure it no longer. Suddenly, she said, 'I've been to see and talk to a doctor and he examined me and told me to come back. But Foster doesn't believe in going to a doctor unless someone is sick and I know he wouldn't under- stand ” spending the money.” That was the inkling she gave which let me know that she knew about the body odor. She continued, 'I try to wash 1w underwear and I try to take a bath often enough but......." The tears were still streaming down her cheeks. 'I'm mentally ill from it all. I know I em, but Foster wouldn't understand.” I decided that she should get herself composed before her family should arrive and find her crying so. I suggested that she wash and powder her face and that when her husband came she make an' explanation she choose to him and that she ask him tetake time for his interview. Perhaps that might ease the situation. There were several things I would liked very much to have said 501 and which I refrained from doing. She arose and left the room, giving me ample opportunity to look more closely at some of the sewing she had been engaged in. I was trying to discover, from a distance, just how efficient a seamstrees Mrs. M. was, when I realized that a car was driving in the farmyard. It was Mr. M. and as he entered, he looked about a moment before he saw me. I was glad that his wife came in before I had to offer an explanation of any sort. Her tears were dried and possibly because she had let them fall unchecked and without sobs, they had left little trace although I saw her husband look at her sharply. Mrs. M. said with a smile, I'll be the first to tell you. I've ended my career before it had a good start. I decided today that I'd better stay at home and help with the spring work after all. Wouldn't you like to talk to Mrs. King now? She came without even finding out that I might not be here so early. I noticed a look of annoyance cross her husband's face and then vanish as he turned to me and said, I'll be glad to take time now before the kids get home. I'm'a little early today and it's a good thing for I've lots to do. However it'll be good to relax first. Shall we go in the front room where maybe it won't be quite so cluttered? Mrs. M. 's face flushed as she said, "I'm afraid I haven't had time to clean much today and I let Helen go home this morning after I changed my mind about going to school.' Her husband was already holding open the door of the next room and I entered only to find the same confusion that was apparent in the other rooms. 'Put Jimny to work on the chores soon as he 502 comes and have Mass water the cows,’ he called as he closed the door. I could see that he was disturbed by his wife's news and waited for him to speak. 'It's funny that she quit a job she just started two or three weeks ago,‘ he muttered almost under his breath. I said nothing and in a moment, he asked, 'Did she tell you why?" Mutely, I shook my head for I could not betray her and she had said she‘was not going to tell him anything about it. He shrugged his rather heavy shoulders and raised his brows a couple of times in exasperation. I asked him about his work in the school where he was acting as a substitute teacher and'we chatted easily for a few moments. It was obvious that his interests were those of a farmer. He spoke of the farm and of the farmer's program. I asked, 'Do you listen to the farm programs on the radio a great deal?” He nodded and said, That's one thing that Jeanette and I listen to together, for she's always interested in the prospects of making some money. I am too, of course. That's about all we do listen to and the rest of the time Jim.and.lasa are listening to all kinds of junk. They are pretty interested in the 4-H Club activities and lhsa's canning 'won the contest in this district. Jim wants to grow grain next year. They're pretty good little farmers even if they do go to town school. Of course Misa's got to for she's in the ninth grade but Jim.could go out here another year except that his mother . thinks a country school isn't good enough for him. Now I assure you I don't get it, as I always went to one and so did she. I seized the opportunity to ask him.to tell me about his child- hood days. He answered tersely, There isn't much to tell. I always lived right here and my folks did before me. My grandparents came over from Germany and settled 503 in this neighborhood. w mother is living and my father is dead. Mother doesn't own this anymore for I've bought my sister and two brothers off, and I finished paying for it two years ago. Mother still has her home and I ran the farm and then started bwing the others off. It's a good farm. I went to high school in Breckenridge and to college at Michigan State, but I always wanted to get back to the fam. I can't tell you much about my childhood. I can tell you more about my manhood. Wouldn't that do just as well? I smiled at him and said, 'Do you remember whether or not your mother sewed for you when you were children?‘ Well, of course. Everybody sews don't they? How could we manage if women didn't sew? W mother used to make 115! shirts and pants and I can't see why it coulch't be done yet by an expert sewer and save a lot of money. I tell any wife it would be foolish to buy things ready nmde when she can save us so much by sewing. Trouble around here is that if we sew, we sew and we don't do other things. Mother can sew, can, bake bread and have the house ' neat as a pin, but it seems to be hard for Jeanette to concentrate. I hope you don't mind too much. I assured him that I, too, found it difficult to do all of those things and keep house imaculately at the same time. He looked at me in doubt and said, 'Anyway, my mother used to. How's the time she can't take so much, that she's older. She could be a big help to Jeanette, though. She used to work all day and sew all night.‘ 'Did she ever make things over for you out of old clothing?" Again, he looked at me answering, "Sure, why not? As long as a piece of cloth is good, why not use it?" 'Will you tell me who‘does the buying of the family clothing?” I do my own. I also help supervise Jeanette's and the children's. We don't need too much with what she makes over. It won't hurt th- to be economical and help build the new shed and we need some more tile, too. The tractor's cost a lot and I had to buy a truck. Of course it's second hand but it cost money just the same. 504 'nr. N., do you ever make use of charge or lay-adway accounts?” ”For farm things, I do. That is I charge 'em, but never on any- thing else. Hy mother thinks it's a sin and I think so too. ‘What people have to charge they better not have unless it's to farm with and that's a different proposition. 'What church did your parents go to when you were a little boy?” Same one we do now, the Lutheran. It's the only church for us. I can remember a Sunday not going to church only when I was sick and we all went and we all go now. I tell you the church is the found- ation of everything. mother is one of the best church members I know and I'd hate to see the day when she couldn't go. It would break her heart to have any of us leave the church. my father is or was, I should say, just as loyal as she is and all of us have remainedmwith the church. 'Do you remember anyming special about the way your parents or any of you dressed when you went to church, Mr. 11.?” He thought and then shook his head. ”I don't think we always thought of clothes as some people do.‘ 'the a family, would you say you are interested in what we are calling the 'new look'?‘ Do you mean long skirts? As a family? No. Jeanette might be for she talks clothes a good deal because of her training, I suppose, but we have no time or money to be able to worry much about such things. I think if people are decently covered, they should be thankful and not'want the moon. It's more important to us to improve the farm.than it is to squander money. That's 'why I took this temporary job I have. I guess it's going to ruin mw'good clothes before I get finished with it, though. ”How'often do you have to buy a new suit, Hr. M.?' Not often. I've had two in fourteen years as near as I can figure it. I'll have to get another if this job keeps up, only it won't, for the spring work‘will begin and I'won't be able to help out then. 505 "What color will it be when you do buy?‘ He looked down at the navy blue he was wearing and said, I always stick to this color. I don't have too much use for a suit, though. When I was still in Farm Bureauwork, I had better success if I went out in my overalls without shaving and without washing w car. Farmers don't want to have to act inferior to you. I try to tell my wife that, but she keeps trying to lift them to her 'level' as she calls it. Just because we happen to have had some college, don't make us better than our fellow men. God made us all alike, I tell her. 'Do you plan to end the children to college, Mr. 11.?" I asked. 'No plans for anything just at present. The fact is that things aren't exactly as smooth running as they might be and I'm not planning on anything.‘ “How do you feel about your wife and daughter wearing slacks, jeans or shorts or anything of that sort, Mr. M.?' 'I dislike all of it intensely and it's not done around here. Mass. would be encouraged to wear the slacks by her mother, but it would make her grandmother very unhappy and we just don't do it,‘' he answered. "Do you give the children and your wife an allowance?‘ He colored a little before he said, Well, not exactly. Hy wife gets the egg money and I spare her what I can when she really needs much. She gives the children what they need out of the eggs. They don't need much but school supplies. They carry their lunch, you know. 'Do some of the school activities take new clothes, Mr. LL?" He shrugged and. said, 'Not that I know anything about.” 'How do you feel that your family compares with other families as to personal appearance, Mr. 11.?" 506 ”We look all right,‘ was the answer. Hr. ll. had not been loquacious in speech and I could see what his wife meant when she said she could not talk to him, as he would not cooperate with me. I thanked him for the time he had spent with me and told him if it would be helpful, I would see both children at once, or each alone, whichever he preferred. He left the room saying that he must get at the remainder of the evening chores, as he had a meeting up town that he wished to attend. Both children came in a little later. They spoke rather shyly and I tried to get acquainted as well as possible in such a short time. The shadows were lengthing and I knew that on the farm that meant that the work must soon be finished for the day. “Manure said she's finished with her work and she'll finish for us,‘ said the girl. 'Will you excuse me for a minute while I put the teakettle on for supper?‘ I nodded and in a moment she was back. I asked Mass what her views were on the division of the family income and was amazed to hear her say, We don't have an income, Mrs. King. We just have the egg money and a little besides, but we'll have one now for we will get an allowance. Mamma is teaching until school is out and she's going to give us one. Isn't she Jim? The boy nodded his head eagerly. Apparently their mother had not told them yet. ”Have either of you shopped for your own clothes‘?" 507 Both shook their heads, but Jimmy said, 'I'm going to save my money to buy a boat with and I'll take it out to the river and have lots of fun.‘ His sister said, I'm going to buy some hose and a pair of ballet shoes with mine. Mamma will owe us for a whole month when she pays and that ought to get both. She's been going to buy them for me, and now I'll get them for myself. We don't have to buy many clothes, for Mamma makes them for us and Papa wishes she'd make some for him too, but I don't think she has time. "Whose opinion do you like to have on the things you buy?" JiImny answered, I like Mass to tell me what she thinks, but gee whiz, Papa always gets it all decided by himself for me, but I don't care much. Only thing is, Mass knows what the boys at school wear. I'm going to have ready nude pants next year when I go to high school even if my mother can make them for me. I don't think any of the fellows mother's do. I don't care this year, though. I think Tom E.'s mother makes his too, but you can't tell on either of us. It was true. You could not tell. Mrs. M. had made a pair of trousers for her son that I had not been sure were made at home. Her daughter was nicely dressed, but not elaborately in a gray jumper with white cotton blouse and looked much as any girl her age looked. She explained that she had not taken time to change her clothes, nor had Jim, because of having me there. ”Which dress and suit or outfit that you wear do you like the best?‘ I turned to the boy first. I like the shirt that Manna made me of wool. It looks like one I saw up town, but she made it of my grandfather's brown bathrobe. I like it because it's like the one in the store at Chisholms. Mass said, 508 I like my red skirt best of all only I wish I had a new blouse to go with it. The reason I like it best is because it makes me look littler around W waist than anything else I have. I didn't tell you about the opinion I'd rather have but I will. I'd rather have Georgia Lee's than anyone's. She's my best friend at school. 'What color do you like best?"' "I like blue best of all,‘ said Mesa, while Jimmy said, I‘Gosh, I don't lmow. I used to like yellow best, but now I don't know. I like a lot of colors." ”What are some of the things you do for amusement?” Both thought seriously for a moment and at last Mesa said, We don't do much except we did go to the Farm Bureau suppers and we both do 4-H Club things. We always go to church and Sunday School, and what else do we do, Jim? "Yes, do you do anything different that you can think of?" I asked. The boy said, We don't go to the school things yet. Next year when I'm in high school, I'm going to the games and things, but Mama and Papa think we're too young to go out nights yet. I can't.think of anything else we do only listen to the radio. We read, too, sometimes. We can't go to the show. Asked what they liked to read, Mass said, At school, I like to read all the magazines like the Amsrican, but we don't take any of them at home. Papa takes the Farm Bure'a'u things and we take the Lansing paper. I guess that's all. 'I like the Farm Bureau things," said the boy. "I'm going to be a farmer, you know." I asked what they enjoyed most at home, and Mass promptly said, I like aw mother to look happy and when she's happy, then I like everything at home, but when she isn't, I don't like anything about it. I suppose all people look funny sometimes, but I can tell when Mama's happy and when she isn't. I think she's looked 509 happier the last few days because it's good for her to get away from working for all of us and I'm glad. Maybe though, she looked happy because Grandma M. went to Uncle Joe's to keep house for him. ”Well I know what I like the best at home,” said Jim. "I like the animals in the barn. At night when you can see their breath and it's all quiet.‘ 'What do you like the least at home, Jim?” I asked. 'I don't like to tell you, but I don't like it when I hear anyone cry.’ After that he refused to say more and only looked out of the window. ”One more question?“ I apologized. "I meant to ask whether you dress in any special way for church and Sunday School. Will you tell me now before I go?” Both looked blankly at me and it was the boy who said, ”We wear our good clothes, of course. The ones we don't wear to school, I mean.” CASE STUDY 20 FARM THE WS---F:'d£ILY CONSIBTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE FIFTY THE MOTHER, AGE THIRTY-SEVEN JACK, AGE SIXTEEN PATRICIA, AGE TWELVE I hesitated to ask for this interview for two reasons. First they are a very busy family, and secondly they are quite proud, and if I were not very tactful they might resent m questioning, even though I had given my reasons for asking them when I spoke to them about the interview. I had made an appointment with them to see the whole family, but as it turned out, the wife was town at the church when I arrived. The husband met me by saying, ”Come right in. I'm sorry Gen isn't here yet but she went to the church to practice the organ. Will I do unti 1 she comes ?' 'Certainly,‘ I answered. "I shall be very glad to have the opportunity to visit with you. We'll start right in if you like.“ Patty, who was in the room, took my cost. It was certainly nice of you to grant me this interview, when you are such a busy man, and I'll try not take any more of your time than is necessary, so I'll come directly to the point. Would you please tell me whatever you like about your childhood, where you were born, about your family and anything that comes to your mind? 511 Mr. 118. said, Well, our family came from North Dakota, and I was born there in a little town called Dickenson, in 1899. I was very young at the time we moved and I don't remember much about it, but I do remember my father saying that we were going to have one of those good Michigan farms, where it rained often enough to go out and grow a decent crop. We had been dry farmers long enough, and had heard a lot about Michigan. I was the second one of a family of four, two boys and two girls. The rest of the time I've lived here, and I bought the farm right across the road from my folks. I went to St. Louis to school, as long as our farm was as close to there as to the country school. Of course nw mother was always Presbyterian and I was too. I grew up in that church and belonged to it until the sect died out in St. Louis and the Methodists took over the building. It was natural that our family join that church, so we did. I thought once we would have to leave it, but we didn't.... Yes, I married a neighbor girl about fifteen years younger than I was and we have had our ups and downs. I graduated from our city high school and passed a Civil Service examination. Then I became a junior clerk in the local Post Office, working at it along with my farming. ”Tell me more about your childhood, Mr. WS.," I said. "When you went to church with your mother, were you well dressed and proud of your clothes?” Well, well enough I suppose. My folks weren't proud. We were always neat and clean and we all had Sunday suits for church. We changed them after church, though. My mother worked awful hard and so she had to start right in after church. Yes, I guess our clothes were as good as other kids when we were growing up. No, we never had anything, clothes or anything else but what was paid for on the spot. My mother never charged or laid away anything. In those days we didn't try to keep up with the Jones' in style of clothes. Mother always made our shirts and knit our socks. Of course, my sisters never heard of slacks, jeans, or shorts, and I'm not sure that I approve of such for girls and women except for work, especially shorts, at least for my wife and daughter. ”Now, Mr. WS., I'd like to ask about recreation. What are some of the things you do together as a family?” 512 Well, we used to have a cottage at the lake, a canoe, and out- board motor. So we did lots of that sort of thing. Gen didn't care about any of it so I sold it. We have a radio, record player and piano and Jack and Patricia play the piano and band instruments. Gen plays the organ at the church, but I'm no musician. Gen and I have done quite a bit of square dancing in the last ten years. No, we don't dress up for that, just wear regular clothes. I found the interview with Mr. "S. going very fast, for he seemed to know Just what questions I wanted answered. 'What do you think of college educations for your children, Mr. 1134' I asked. Well, Jack wants to go to college, and he has some money of his own. He has always had his own cows and milk money and so has his own bank account. If he wants to go to college he can. I'm not strong for college, but he ms sometimes said he wanted to be a doctor. If he does, he will have to go to college I suppose. I would help him some if he needed it, but he would have to pay me back. I've always had to stand on my own feet and so will he. As for clothes, if he wants white collars and nice clothes, he'll have to urn them, too. I never pamper my children. They never had time for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls or anything of those other groups of nonsense. They might better be home helping, and I have work for them to do. Just the outfit of clothes for one of those organizations costs about twenty five dollars, to say nothing of the time lost in running around to meetings, trips and hikes. 'Do you give your children an allowance?" I asked. No, we don't! Il‘hey earn their on spending money. Patty had a roadside market the last few sumers. Also she has been doing house cleaning by the hour for a woman in town. That's the way my children get their allowances. My wife earns quite a bit'too, although I dcn't expect her to use it for anyone but herself. She plays the organ for weddings, funerals and things, besides church service. She gets paid for all of those. Gen always has nice clothes and always looks nice...too nice sometimes. ”What do you mean Mr. WSJ That her clothes are too expensive?” Evidently he wanted to discuss it further, for he went on. No, although they do cost plenty. But when we bought our General 513 Electric kitchen, she and the salesman fell for each other in a big way and it just about broke up our family. She went away for a while to think things over, but I guess he wasn't interested to the extent that he would give up his family. As I had heard some of this scandal Iknew what he was talking about. I had found that the woman in question was parked on a lonely road with this salesman one day. Evidently he had driven his car and she had put on her blue shorts and ridden her bike to meet him. "Well, Mr. WS., so you lay that to her fine clothes: Perhaps it was her natural beauty which attracted him, and perhaps she was lonely,” I said. ‘ 'Yes,’ he answered, ”and if she had been home with the children sewing and making over for Pat instead of letting her mother do it, all, she wouldn't have been lonely. Leaving the children alone and all, while she went to meet him." As this was such a personal grievance and I was embarrassed, wanted to switch the conversation, and asked next, 'What color in clothes do you like best?” 'Oh, it doesn't matter much to me. Gen likes blue I guess. I don't pay too much attention to colors. We have a rose rug though, so I guess we like most colors." “Some people tell me that they have not been able to realize their life ambitions. How is it with you?” Oh, about the only thing I ever wanted to do real badwas invent something, but I never really worked at it. I won twanty five dollars once for sending in a good idea, in a contest. I guess I was mostly ambitious to own and'work some land, marry and raise a family and see them do the same. In answer to my question about what he would sacrifice for his family, he answered, For Gen and the kids I would sacrifice my last cent and my own life, if it were to save their lives, but just to make life a bed of roses, not me. The kids can earn their own luxuries as I did mine, then they will appreciate them. I always have worked hard and I think I'm better off that I did. Of course I figure that I earn the family income, and I'll spend it. Jack and Pat are 514 well satisfied and don't make a fuss when they don't get everything they see. We do keep them well dressed though, instead of making a big hiss over Christmas presents. Clothing is a problem in one way because we have to have three sets of clothes. Farm clothes, Post office clothes, and school clothes, and‘then our dress up clothes. I have to look fairly neat in the postoffice, although I probably wouldn't be named as one of the ten best dressed men in town. I don't care anything in particular about fashionable dress though. I buy a new suit every two years, take the old one for the Post Office and fill out with extra trousers. ”Do you take the family and go shopping?” I don't very often. Gen and I usually go to Saginaw and buy what they need, but sometimes we all go. I like to buy my own clothes, even to Christmas ties and socks, even ifthey are nice. Yes, I'm quite proud of the way my family look, beside other people's families. ”Well Mr. WS.,” I said, ”you have been a very patient man and have been most obliging’to answer all my questions so fully. I really appreciate it very much. Now if anyone else has time to talk with me, it will not matter which one.” a. Patty had just finished washing her hair and was ready to Put in pin curls, I suggested that we might as well save her time by chatting about the questions while she put it up. She agreed and we started our conversation. I began by saying, ”Go right ahead withtyour hair. Kathleen, my daughter, can put up pin curls and talk too. I suppose a girl your 515 age is a big help to her mother. Do you buy your own clothing, and do you like to?” She answered, I've never bought anything like a'coat, dress or anything that is very expensive, but I am learning. I want to be able to go alone and pick out my own clothes, but probably I can't until I can pay for them by myself. Of course my mother usually decides for me and mother always does just what's right she ut clothes. 'Bho buys the most clothes in your family?” Oh, Mother does, but she earns part of hers. 'I really have plenty though with what my grandma makes over for me. She sews very well, cute clothes too. She even made Jack and I our plaid lumberjackets. When I want anything fixed, I take it to her. I don't need as many clothes now as I will when I get to high school. Mother and Daddy need more than we do. I've been wanting a ballerina skirt. I think I can use some of my money and buy the cloth for once, and maybe I can learn to make it myself. I'm too young for dates yet, but I'd like to have then. I can have them when I go to high school. Mother says if I have any more clothes then, it will be all the more to take care of, because I have to press and look after them wself. My grandmother often gives me birthday presents and they are usually clothes. For Christmas I get big things...1ike my dress or something and I like to have her give me things, they are all so pretty! I like best of all my blue mp9:- with the pink blouse of the things I have right now. I guess aw clothes are nicer than some girls. In answer to my next question, Patty said, Of all the things we'have at home I like the record player best, radio and piano next. I love to go to the movies and see Betty Grable and Lana Turner, but I don't read any magazines, and I've never joined any clubs. My dad says I have enough to do without being a Girl Scout. It was time to get on to the next interview and I said, Thank you a lot for talking with me Patty. I've really enjoyed this visit a lot. I wish you would come over and visit with Kathleen some time. Perhaps you would enjoy looking over her clothes. She is getting so large I can't make over many things for her anymore. My next interview was with Jack. ”Well Jack,'I I began, ”I see you have come in. Do you have a minute now to help me, or would you rather see me some other time?” ”I'm ready anytime,” said Jack. ”Mother came a while ago, but she started one of her devil's food cakes while you talked with Pat, so maybe she would rather you took me next. I don't know much though.” ”Oh yes Jack, I'm sure you know many things. You are. in the tenth grade aren't you? You'll soon be through school and out working, or are you going to college?” ”I don't know,” he answered. ”If I do, I'll have to use my own money and I hate to do that. What questions do you want me to answer, Mrs. King?” I sensed that he wanted to be business like and brief, so asked the questions, and he boy-like answered often times with 'yes' and 'no' or short s entences. ”Ihat are your ideas on spending the money your father earns? Do you think it is spent for what it should be?” ”Yes, I guess so. Dad buys quite a lot of farm tools, but we have to have them.” ”Do you feel that you have a fair share of it?” ”Yes.” ”Do you buy your clothing yourself?” "No, w folks go with me. Sometimes I pay for some of it out of m money.” ”Do you like to go shopping?” 517 ”No.” ”Who do you like to have help you with buying your clothes?” ”my'mother.” "Who buys or needs the most clothes in your family?” ”I don't know'for sure. I guess Mbther and Pat do.” "Do you have any personal problems about your clothes, like dressing up for a date for instance?” ”No, my folks go wdth me to buy and when I date I just wear my best suit, but I hardly ever do data. It costs too much to take a girl to the J-Hop.” "What outfit of clothes do you like best, Jack?” "my old brown suit, because I don't have to be so careful with it.” ”Do you belong to anything like the Boy Scouts, the 4-H clubs or any of those?” ”No, I don't have time.” ”What form of recreation do you like best?” ”Oh, I study, read and play the record player._ I like to go to shows but I don't care which show I see. I do like Abbot and Costello though.” I could see the boy was very anxious to bee off to his chores and said, ”Thank you very much Jack for talking with me. I don't have any boy of’my own and I have enjoyed this very much.” ‘ ”Is that all you want, Mrs. King?” he asked. I said it was and out he went to tell his mother that it was 07 61' With e "rs. IS. came into the room looking as fresh as a rose. She was quite a nice looking woman, with pretty eyes, hair a pretty shade of blue, nice complexion and a good figure. She had a very pleasant manner and greeted me cordially. I liked everything about her. ”Good evening, Mrs. 1:78.,” I said. ”Are you sure you wish to take the time right now when ‘you are working at your cake?” She smiled and said, ”on yes. The cake is all finished and Patricia can go on with the supper. She knows what to_do. If I can be of any help at all in your research work, I am glad.” ”Very well,” I answered. ”My first question is about a budget for clothing for your family. Do you use a budget?” No, we don't. I've tried it but I can never make one work. We buy as we need and we arrange to have shoes, boots, top coats and really expensive items come at different times of the year for each one of us. It works fairly well. We don't keep any record except as the check book shows how much was spent for what. We haven't had the children do much shopping for themselves yet, but I think they should begin to do it. They need to learn howe I asked next, ”Do your children realize that you like new clothes, although you may not actually‘need them?” ”Oh my yes!” she answered. ”All the family likes to see me look nice. I guess they all spoil me.” ”Do you and your husband and the children agree on choice, style and need in clothing for the children?” 519 ”Yes, pretty well. The whole thing is usually left up to me, unless it is something very expensive. That we don't usually have. Of course, I enjoy picking out things for them, but my husband helps decide about the price.” "Do you sew Mrs. 198.?” ”No, I don't. Mother does all that we do not buy ready made. She keeps up with the styles through the magazines mostly.” ”What would you say was the most important thing to remember in keeping a happy home?” ”Why, I guess all sharing the work, and the play and keeping good health. We drink gallons of milk at our house and always have lots of everything to cat. That keeps us happy.” ”Well, Mrs. WS., I believe I've asked you everything and I won't take any more of your time. I wan't to say I think you have a very fine family. I hope we can visit you some time and also that you will call on us at our home. I think we might all enjoy doing so.” CASE STUDY 21 PROFESSIONAL THE PC---FAMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE pom TEE MOTHER, AGE THIRTY-SIX JOAN , AGE SEVEI-ITEEH BRUCE, AGE FIVE Eur, AGE THREE MONTHS The PC. family are connected with the Methodist church, with Mr. PC. serving his third year as minister. They live in a large house known as the Methodist Parsonage, which is furnished the family free as far as rent is concerned. All that one needs to do to learn the salary of a Methodist minister is to read the church news in the city paper at a certain time of year, and there it is in bold black print. For this particular minister, the item stated that one Rev. PC. received the magnificent sum of twenty-four hundred dollars as salary for the term of one year. The article did not explain that various and sundry other gifts were made to the minister's family in lieu of a higher salary. Both Mr. and Mrs. PC. had seemed interested and willing to have the interviews and had suggested that I visit them in the afternoon, prior to Bruce's return from kindergarten, and their daughter Joan, a Senior in high school, who would be returning from her afternoon classes. 521 As it happened, little Bruce was at has with an earache when I called, and since he was awake and feeling better, it was arranged that I talk to him first, and in that way give his father an opportunity to take him to the doctor while I talked to the mother. The minister would make an effort to be at homebefore Joan returned, but if not, I could interview the daughter first. I had saved the afternoon from two o'clock on for this family and was glad that things could be worked out so satisfactorily. Bruce, a cunning little boy of five, and in kindergarten, was lying on the davenport and I drew a chair up beside him. In a little while he was chatting avidly about the pain he had been suffering from his 'old ear.' At last, I admired his bathrobe and slippers that he was wear- ing and asked, ”Bruce, which clothes that you wear do you like the best?” Bruce yawned sleepily and said, ”I like this best when my ear hurts.” I questioned him further as to what he liked when his ear did not hurt and he said, ”I like by blue sweater and my slacks with the straps. I got some more , too. I got one from my mother and one from my father and I like the one from my father the tery best.” ”What color is it, Bruce?” He looked at me with wide blue eyes and said, ”I told you. My blue sweater and an' slacks with the straps.” When I questioned him as to wlmt color he would like a new 522 sweater and slacks to be if he were to have some, he looked coy and said, ”I told you.” I assumed that it must be blue. Asked whether or not he helped choose his clothes and who, besides Mother, bought clothes for him, he said, ”I don't 1mm. I like straps and I like belts, do you?” ”Don't you sometimes go with Mother to buy you some clothes, Bruce?” Quickly the answer came, ”I go with Daddy. Mama stays with her.” I questioned him as to whom he meant by 'her' and found that he meant the new baby sister. ”Do you like the baby, Bruce?” Solemnly he nodded his need to indicate he did, but said nothing. Finally, he said, ”We got her for Christmas.” ”Which would you rather have for Christmas Bruce, toys, a book or something new to wear?” He thought a moment , yawned widely and said, ”I like my blue sweater and m slacks with ’the straps.” ”Did you get them for Christmas?” Again, heinodded his head. ”Does Mother make you some clothes sometimes, Bruce?” He sat up on the davenport and said, ”My pajamas she does and _ she makes my daddy some, too. She makes me some just like Joan's are. Mine keep me warm. I'm going to give Joan mine. Mamma says she'll freeze in hers. I like mine.” 523 ”Do you like Mother's new dresses when she gets one?” He studied for a brief moment and silently studied me. Finally he said, "Why do you say Mother?” I stood corrected and said gently, ”Will you tell me new about your mamma's new dress?” ”I don't know.” He would give no other answer, although I tried again. ”Do you earn any money like pennies and nickels, Bruce?” The child looked enthused for a moment and said eagerly, ”I earned ten cents, too, and when I get enough money I'm going to have a pony.” He began to call for his mother and when she came into the room, asked for his bank and his blue sweater and slacks with the straps. She smiled and promised that he could wear them to go with his daddy to see the doctor about the ear that had been causing trouble. His father came into the room and offered to see that his young son was made ready to go and they left the room tagether hand in hand. Hrs. PC. settled herself with me after having opened a door which led into the room where the baby was sleeping. She seemed calm and collected, but looked weary. It had been an effort, I knew, to take care of a tiny baby, a small son with the earache, her household duties and to make ready for an expected caller. llrs. PC. was a fair-haired, light-skinned woman who looked all of her thirty-eight years on this day. Her house was neat and clean 524 and furnished very simply in the roan in which I sat. After a few moments chatting about many things in general, the interview began and after I had asked the background questions, Mrs. PC. began. I was born in Albion, Michigan. My father was in the college there at one time, but he is dead now and I lost my mother when I was too little to remember more than that she had hair like Joan's is now. I can remember when she must have been terribly sick. Her hair was spread out over the pillow on her bed and it was so bright and shining that it has always stayed in aw memory, I guess. Joan finds fault with her hair and it bothers me because of that memory of my mother. I had an older sister who left home when my father married again after my mother's death, but it was Agnes, my sister, who really was an! mother, for after she left I was a big girl and didn't need a stepmother, or at least I thought I didn't. Agnes went to California and I haven't seen her for ten years now. After Father married again, everything went wrong, and when I was a senior in high school, his wife left and that was the end of a bad mess for him. He didn't die until I was in my last year of college in Albion. Phil and I were married right out of college and then he went on with his work at the Seminary, and before we knew it we had Joan. Now we have our second family. Bruce and the baby can grow up together at least. I think that is all, Mrs. King. We've been in several churches, six in all, I believe, and we've seen some happiness and some sadness in all of them. We like it here very much, but we are having some difficulties that I'd rather not discuss without my husband knowing about it. ”Was your father a minister, too, Mrs. PC.?” She nodded and said, He was until he went into the college work, so you see I come from a family of Methodists. He had been in the school work trying to help build up a better Christian background and he worked out around the state rather than instructing. That was how he happened to marry a second time, I suppose. He was so sure that Agnes and I needed a mother. Poor Agnes! I remember how crushed she was when she was told that everything she had done for her little sista' was wrong. Mrs. PC. was silent with her thoughts, and I asked, ”What, in particular, was wrong, Mrs. PC.?” 525 She answered, The house was wrong, the food was wrong, the way we lived was not the way she liked it and my chums at school were not the ones she would choose. My clothes were terrible and I suppose she had a point there for my sister was only seventeen when she came to live with us and she hadn't an idea of how to manage a twelve year old as to her clothes, I imagine. She immediately began to 'spruce us up' as she called it and poor Agnes took it until she was saturated and then she left. I was five when Mother died and Agnes was twelve. "Were your clofiIes really so terrible? What seemed to be wrong with them?” I questioned. She looked thoughtful, and said, I suppose that nothing was as bad as it seemed and that I must have been difficult to manage, but she started right in finding fault with the things Agnes had picked out for me. Things like dresses and I remember how she said that my winter coat was "a monstrosity for a girl of my age and that she'd soon remedy“ all that. She began to make things for me to wear that I hated, for she just took a pattern that she liked and made me a dress whether I liked it or not. I think I have lots more patience with Jean now because of my unhappy experience with a woman who probably thought she was doing the noble thing in taking care of someone else's child. She interfered with our easy ways of living, too. Father would insist on our doing certain things like going to church on Sunday, but he was always willing to join in with us in saying, 'Let's go to the woods today and have our church out there. ' I can hear him say it yet. My stepmother changed all that, and said it was a disgrace for a man in my father's position not being 'seen of men' and be in church on Sunday. Things just went from bad to worse and it was bound to end unhappily, for Father and I were too close for it to be any other way, and after I had been in misery long enough, he sensed that the whole thing had been wrong from the beginning. I ranember how our Sunday night lunches were changed to a six o'clock dinner and how I hated that. I was too young and too bitter at having a stranger in the house to ever try to understand her thinking on such matters. As I think of it now, I think that probably she was really trying to do her best and that she failed from lack of tact and understand- ing, rather than from deliberate planning, to make me unhappy. Agnes never forgave her and I'm afraid she really never forgave 11w father. She gave up her ideas of college and didn't even quite finish her high school. min a M;- .ov£‘1' I eno‘ ., r.“ .5 ac- . scenario 0‘“ ' :3 ' . '36! “OM“. erred) 9 ‘ has In I iv *o and 0‘. ) an‘; H! 5 O . 'uwtnwm ‘b f i o I .s a T. ’ r. r.. u. o... _ L. \ . i \ J l L t v. ... .. . , ... NJ ru \ .. r. 4 . VJ r ‘ . .- l.- .l I‘ s.. l \ a O .1 .i‘id.bs . lulu tut-.r .. A; i f’ktb“ I-h’a ‘0 t . a . I n... 1'1 .c u .34..- p0,!“ th'..e|Ll“‘- b’..:- 0's ‘ 1 . .( «I-..\O 11‘ I: .U-O-!s\‘ , Mal. I- - [II o‘ -. ‘O'I .27 .. ., ‘1 1 4. 4. h . . . . . Ila“. . s : S.’.lt s I.. . I, toasty“: 5‘9 .00.: s .k s.;'. ’...s§..v\u0s I svt. Unix .. .1... 526 IDo you remember how you dressed to go to church or Sunday School when you were a child, Mrs. PC.?' ”Nothing in particular about anything except what I've told you," she answered. ”I think Agnes and.Dad and I must have just worn our best things to church, but I wouldn't know any more what we were." "Who buys the clothing for your family now, Mrs. PC.?” She smiled and shook her head, saying, Oh, honestly I'm not quite sure. Mr. PC. does some, Jean does some and I do very little of it since before the baby came. I used to do it all, but it is a good thing for Joan to have to do her own buying so that she'll be able to when she goes to college next year. Her father and I want her to go to Central, but we haven't decided where we'll be if we leave here and we really don't know just how we'll manage it, but someway it will work out. At least it will help if she knows how to manageher'money and buy her clothes. She's been having a taste of it this winter because she has been earning a little by broadcasting over the radio with the two other girls. we didn't think just too much of it at first, but now we think it is a good thing for her. At any rate, it is teaching her to take care of her money. She was a little inclined to wonder why she couldn't have more than a dollar a week for an allowance and when she earns the dollar, it helps her to decide how fast she wants to spend it. ‘we don't give her any money now for her weekly allowance and she is able to buy practically all of her clothes if she is careful what she buys. Jean is quite a sensible girl in a lot of ways, but since she thinks she's in love with Wendell, she's apt to go off the deep end and buy one thing to wear too many. We'won't allow her to buy anything she hasn't the money for, so that should help out next year. 'Do you sew for Jean and the children, Mrs. PC.?' That's the sad part of it. I don't except to make night wear and aprons. I think I could save a lot if I could sew. I plan to take s Singer course if I ever get squared around. I've altered a few things for Jean, but nothing more than shortening and some- thing like that. I did try to make myself a dress before the baby came, but it was a dismal failure and I never finished it. I think I lost my enthusiasm.because Joan felt so bitterly ashamed because we were to have a baby. You see, she's seventeen and it hurt her pride and.made her feel that we were immoral. ‘we had V I ‘xq- O 0 be you 527 preached so much at her about not sitting out in cars and about being in on time that when she found out about the baby, it must have been a shock to her in some way. She hated the thoughts of my making amaternity dress and openly said that it looked crumm. I'Do you make use of clothing that has been worn? I mean do make them over or have than made over for Joan or Bruce‘lm She frowned a bit and said, Oh, we are like all minister's families, I suppose. We are always getting things given to us to be made over. I've had Mrs. C. make over things for Bruce, but I try to avoid it for Joan. I don't want her to feel that because her father is a minister that she must have the left overs. I think we have managed it pretty well so far and it helps with her earning some money at the studio. I have lots of things made over for wself, though, and my husband doesn't even lmow it. He thinks I'm a good manager so don't you tell him that half an! clothes are made over from the Methodist offerings. I think that Joan has such a good sense of what is becoming that I get a lot of my ideas from her, for my clothes. I pass them on to Mrs. C. and she is clever in her sewing and can copy almost anything I suggest. 'What do you think of the 'new look' in clothes, Mrs. PCJ' I'm far too busy to be much concerned, except that I like to look something like this year and not last year. It is strange, perhaps, that I say it is my husband and not I who must be well dressed. I don't mind the made-over dresses for me if it will help Mr. PC. in his work and make it possible for Joan to have more for college next year. I know just how difficult it is for Phil to keep us going in the way we like to live, and that if any of us sacrifice in our family, it should be Bruce, Baby and me for the time being, and I am much more contented to have it that way. I do know that if Joan weren't working she might be quite unhappy right now because the baby has proven far more expensive than either of the other two. I think Joan has a right to feel that we were inconsiderate to say the least, to have a baby come during her senior year in high school, but of course we love the baby. I'm glad that we don't have to worry about the baby and Bruce being in or out of style. That would be just a little too much. Bruce is happy if he has slacks with straps. We discovered that at Christmas time. "Well, do you approve of slacks, shorts and so forth for Joan?‘ 528 I think I'm a little inclined to be prudish about that sort of thing just because I never happened to indulge in anything much of that sort. Joan wears them all, but she isn't allowed shorts on the street. She's very normal for a minister's daughter and we want to keep her that way. I've seen too many children who broke loose the minute they were away from their parent's control and ministers of all people are supposed to have righteous families, and Joan hates that sort of thing and nothing would make her want to shock the community more than to have me tell her that she should not wear something like that. She would say that she wished she'd never been born and it would be weeks before she could be happy again. I know how such things affect her because of the effect my shower had on her. 'Will you tell me about the shower? Was it just before the baby was born?” Yes, it was about three weeks before she came, and for the first time, Joan seemed a little interested in the fact that we were expecting the baby. It was a beautiful shower and it was all spoiled for Joan when someone at school told her that her mother had asked the church to give her the shower. It was so absurd that I laughed at the idea, but Joan took it very seriously and went into hysterics and declared she'd never use any of the baby clothes if she had her way about it. She had them all packed in the bassinet ready to go when she told me about it. It was a mistake, of course, but she won't believe that at all, and she still is making simply terrible remarks about those things given me at the shower. I would really rather that the shower had not been given. I have tried to make Joan see that it could be a mistake and while I usually can influence her in anything, by just pointing out the obvious possibility of errors, this time she won't even listen. “Will you tell me what some of the things are that you do together as a family, Mrs. PC.” Let me think....I started to say, go to church, but that wouldn't be true. I'm not going very much yet and we don't make Bruce go with us. He often stays in the nursery at the church. Well, we read once in a great while. We have, taken rides, but Joan has her own dates now and doesn't care much for that sort of thing. We do go to the family suppers at the church and that is actually the onlything I can think of that we make a habit of doing regularly. We even lave taken the baby once, because we are too stingy to hire a baby sitter. The last time we hired one, she 529 just have ransacked the dresser drawer in my room, for my best hose were hanging out the end and had a snag from being handled. At least, I thought that might have caused it. "What do you think sbdut the wearing of hose and hats, by girls and women?” Hats must be worn at certain times and so must hose. I feel that there is too much freedom in such things and that our girl must obey conventions to the point of being willing to wear both to such places as church, on the street at certain times and any other place that requires it. Goodness knows that I'd prefer no hose if I could. Joan be had hose a long time, but she detests hats and I have a time convincing her that I am right. ”How do you feel that you influence your family in regard to their clothing wants and needs? And do you and your husband regard those things similarily‘l' I'm not at all sure that I wield as much influence as I think I do. I try to make Joan and her father realize tlmt we must balance our budget and that without cooperation, it simply can't be done. We really work things out together pretty well. I think I would say I influence them more by talking it over with them. Joan isn't too young to help figure things out. Her father and I have agreed pretty well so far on everything that is done for the children, and I know that Joan offered to give her father some of her money from the studio last week. I haven't figured it out yet. She was either wanting to reall help him, or she was a little ashamed of him and thought she could scare him into getting some clothes by making believe that she was. Phil is always ready to cooperate and to do his share. ”What do you consider most important in keeping a happy home?” I'That's an easy one. I think to follow the rule that no one goes to sleep in anger,is the best way of all.” I knew that I must go on to another interview, for Jean had come in and was waiting around somewhere. Her mother had had to leave suddenly to take care of the tiny baby. She came back to explain that 530 she was finding it necessary to be with the baby a little longer, and would I excuse her. I asked that I might see Joan, and soon we were discussing the radio experience she was having. Joan was a lovely girl to look at, with her brown flecked eyes and her hair, which must have been like that described by her mother, when she recalled her own mother's hair being spread out on the pillow when she was a little girl. Joan's skin was white and very striking, with the auburn hair mich was fluffy and well dressed. She was dressed as most high school girls that I had contacted, in sweater and skirt and loafers. She was of medium height and rather slight. She was so enthusiastic about her radio experience, that it was difficult to break off and start the interview. I finally said, 'Do you have to dress in any special way to go to the studio and broadcast, Joan?” Just once in a while. He wear long dresses when we go on the jamborees to other towns. That means we go and put on amateur programs. We go to the high schools in the county and we have loads of fun competing. Joy, Carol and I are going to berated as professionals if we get a sponsor, one who pays enough, and then we can sing in our trio all summer. I want to earn a lot of money so I can have lots of things for college. I'll have to buy all my clothes, I'm afraid, and I want to earn the money this sumer. I've earned enough now for my share of the senior trip to Washington and for my picture and cards, and then'during the summer, I can save enough to get w clothes for fall. 'What are your views on the sharing of the family income, Joan‘!‘ Ministers don't have an income, I'm argueing always. I think ministers just thihk they're going to get a salary because every time we think we're all set to get something, then the church can't pay right then and they want to make the salary up in coal and vegetables and a lot of stuff. The man who owns the coal 551 yard is the richest man in town. Why does he think we want his coal? We want his money so we can buy our own coal. I wouldn't be a minister for anything, and I know that Daddy doesn't like that part of it either. I'm glad I can earn my own income now and that will be one worry off their minds. I like to ‘be inde- pendent and if I'm going to college, Mother says it will be a good thing for me. She thinks it's a good thing for me to be on w onw a little this year so that I can manage better nextyear. I like it, but some of my girl friends are jealous, I'm afraid. 'flhen you are buying your things, Joan, whose opinion do you value most?” Brightly, she answered, Mother's opinion is the best, I think. She has pretty good ideas about most things. She lmcws that I have to have lots of things for school and she helps me any time I ask her. She made me account for the money I‘earned at first, but now she doesn't, and I'm going to buy a suit. But I can't manage that on thirty dollars a month and buy all my things, too. I'm going to get her a nice dress, though. She is always giving me something that she‘ should have, and I think she thinks that I don't know, but I do. I don't believe Daddy does, though. ”Do you have any personal problems in connection with your clothing?” She silent, but at last answered, I don't think so. I used to have a problem about what to use to be sure I wouldn't ruin my dresses under the arm, but I got that solved with Mother's help. The only bad one I've had recently is about my mother instead of me, and I don't think I ought to talk about it buteeeee Her voice trailed off, and at last she said, I'll tell you just this much. It was about my little sister. I like her, but I think I'm too old by far for my father and mother to have a baby. Besides it was none of the business of the church! ”Which outfit that you wear do you like the best, Joan?” Without hesitation, she answered, ”My formals. I'm not a bit like the Methodist church in them.‘I 'How would you classify your appearance in comparison with that 532 of your friends?” ”I'm sure that I look as nice and sometimes nicer. That's because my mother always saw to it, and now I can see to it myself.” 'Does your mother sew for you, Joan?“ Just a few little things. I wish I could do it for myself, but I can't. I might learn when I go to college, I don't know. My father gave me a model for Christmas one year when I was younger, and I've wished I could really sew, but I never did much with it. Tire any of your clothes made from things that have been worn, Joan?‘ Her face colored, and she said, 'Not mine.' 'Do you like to get clothes for Christmas or birthdays?“ I like it very much, but I just don't seem to get much of it that way. I get hose and handkerchiefs and things like that. I get slips, too. I can't remember getting a dress or anything like that for a long time. It probably wouldn't fit me if I did get one. 'Do you mend and press your own clothes, Joan?” "I didn't before we had the baby, but I do now. I have to or it won't get done,‘ she answered. "What are some of the things you do for amusement?” Nell, contrary to Mbthodist opinion, I dance and I have dates, too. I do all the things a girl who isn't a minister's daughter can do. Daddy and I do all the things a girl who isn't a minister's daughter can do. Daddy and Mother feel that it isn't fair to always wonder 'what the church is thinking. I read, I work and that's amusement. I take music lessons and I skate. I can't think of anything else. 'What is your favorite magazine, Joan?” I'I really don't know, but I think it is the American. I get awfully tired of the religious magazines, but I read them sometimes. I wouldn't want to if I had to, though.’ 533 'What do you enjoy most of all at home?” Joan looked very thoughtful-and said, ”I think it is being trusted not to disgrace the family. I don't like the church treating us as paupers, though, and I don't like it when stories are made up about my mother.” aSurely your mother doesn't need to be defended,” I said. 'There must be some mistake about stories being made up about her.“ There wasn't any mistake when they told that she wanted a shower for the baby's clothes and some of the women in the old Aid Society did that. I'll never forgive them for that. We are perfectly able to buy the baby's clothes, if they'll pay their old salary. She seemed so excited that I was sorry. I asked, 1'A.nd what do you enjoy the least at home'tm ”Just what I said. I don't like the old Aid saying such things. I'll never, never belong to one of them as long as I live. I think they're simply goulish.’ I thanked Joan ansking if I might wait a little longer for her father. He had been gone a long time with little Bruce. It was Perhaps another fifteen minutes before he came. As soon as Possible, we were in his study and ready for the interview. I had met this man three times, merely to nod and greet him in a casual manner as one stranger to another, and his wife and children I had not met at all previously to my first contact- I settled back in my chair and studied his face. He smiled at me and when he did so, there was warmth and genuine interest in his mazmer. 534 Since I knew that it was nearing five o'clock, I began the interview at once. When Mr. PC. was asked about the place of his birth, his first years and so forth, he was thoughtful and silent for a matter of seconds. At last he spoke and I listened to a voice which was different from any that I had heard before. It was musical and warm and I thought that any child must be lucky to have this man for a father. I was born on a farm not too far from Albion, Michigan, although I didn't go to school there. I was in the country school until I was out of the eighth grade, and after that I went to high school in Marshall. Then I went to college at our Methodist college. I met my wife there and we were married right out of college and we've been a struggling minister's family ever since. There, will that do? It would not 'do' at all. The facts were there, but not the substance of the thing I wished to know. I smiled at him and asked, ”Surely you most certainly had an interesting time as a child on that farm. Did you know when you were a boy that you wanted to be a minister?“ He fairly shouted with laughter, as he said, I did not! I wanted to be a civil engineer as soon as I knew what that meant. When I was a very young boy, all of twelve, I wanted to be a fisherman and had any other person said minister to me until I was eighteen, I would have scorned them. I was just a normal boy who played hookey from school to go to the woods a mile away from the schoolhouse and to go fishing, and all of the things boys do. I remember that once I set fire to a straw stack and got arrested along with five others. No! I wasn't good material for the ministry in those days. I'm not so sure that I am now, and I mean that quite seriously, I can assure you. I get, 110' and then, so angry that I find it difficult to preach to others of humility. Only yesterday, I permitted mself to get furious at 11V choir, because they bicker over the color the new choir robes are to bee 535 He paused, and when he failed to go on, I asked, 'Do you mind telling me what color they will be, and how it was decided?” He laughed and said, They will be maroon without any question, Mrs. King. I suppose it shouldn't be discussed at all, but in confidence, I'll tell you that there was one faction wanting maroon and another one, and the stronger of the two, wanting black. They insisted that it was sacreligious to have anything but black and were ready to leave the choir if they didn't get their way. I think I called their bluff when I told them that the sacreligious thing about it was that they were quarreling over such stupid things and any choir made up of pe0ple who had it within them to be so narrow, might as well drOp out, for I didn't believe that God cared too much to hear them sing. It was settled, if not peaceable, then at least with a whole choir. We went through about the some thing once before, when the substitute robes were purchased. This time, I think it will stick. "a: a family, do you have a favorite color, Mr. PC.?" I asked. ”Really I couldn't tell you," he answered. 'I think I just like colors, although I will admit that the ministry does seem to demnd that dark colors be worn for a lot of occasions. I rebellz‘I This was said with much emphasis and a look of sternness came over his face as he continued, I think I was and am determined to whip some of the so-called traditions. Why on earth should it matter what color I wear to preach in? That's one thing my wife and I disagree on. I can have nothing but white shirts in her opinion. Other men have colored shirts, but I must always have white shirts, and she buys me three new ones for each birthday and each Christmas for my presents. I would have whipped that choir into maroon for robes, if it had been the last act of my pastorate here! I'm sorry to make you think I'm a demon. You see, so my peeple think that a minister is nothing but luke warm water inside, but I can assure you that some of us have a little red blood, in spite of that tradition. ”Such things must be a problem. How do you feel about the ties and socks tint men usually get for gifts” 536 He laughed and shook his head. I get my share from the congregation and some I like very much, and some are horrible. In general though, I think I like them, for they show how the wind blows. The horrible ones mean, "to want a new minister,' and the beautiful ties mean, 'We'll let him stay another year.' ”When you were a boy on the farm, did you go to church and Sunday School, Mr. PCJ' 'Intermittently, I'd say. We sometimes had to work in the fields, but most Sundays we went. We had a country church and it wasn't too far from our house.” 'Do you remember how you used to dress when you went to church, or how your father and mother dressed?’ No, I don't believe I do. I remember that we had to hustle to get there and Mother always looked in my ears and felt in em pockets to see that I had a clean handkerchief. I'll never forget the time she found a frog in Iv pants pocket of IV Sunday suit. She nearly died, and she has never forgotten it. To this day she is afraid of a frog. She and Dad are still on the fan, but they rent out the fields now and are taking it a little easier. Mother would like Bruce this summer so that he can play in the frog pond I used to play in. The farm is a great place for kids and when I retire it will be on a little farm. Dad says that it will be right on that one where I was brought up, for by the time a preacher gets ready to retire, he won't need it any longer. w dad's a great man, and we have had some great times tOgether. 'Did your mother ever sew for you when you were a boy or ever make over clothes for you?“ lather sews some, butnot much as far as I know. Maybe if she'd had some other children or some girls she would have. I don't recall anything of that sort. Dad and I used to go to town and Mother would go to one store, and Dad and I would go to the men's store. When we got all finished, we'd go to the restaurant and have our supper, and than home to the chores and things. After that we showed what we bought. I still like a shopping spree and have enjoyed buying things for the children since my wife is so 537 tied up with the baby. I'd be glad to baby sit too, but it isn't safe for me to be left alone for long with the baby. Someone is sure to call and say they need me, so for that reason I've been indulging my old liking for going into stores and buying things. It isn't quite fair to Mildred, though. There are many things that are never fair to the minister's wife, you know, but at our house one would never know it. 'Do you feel that your personal appearance is important in your profession, Mr. PCJ' Yes. I feel that it is, but I don't enjoy the restrictions. I feel that if I want to preach a funeral sermon in gray instead of black, that it is my right. I could get along on less suits, but for some things like that. I have to have black for funerals and some occasions in the pulpit I have to have navy blue or black for business calls and preaching, and some of the important functions outside the church, but connected with it. I can splurge and have other colors only if I want to have people say that the minister doesn't need a rightful raise, but that's just what I want to do. I won't be tied to not having a tan or a lighter blue, if I want it. People must forget the idea that the ministry is different from other things. It should be taught that some of the foolish restrictions are only in the minds of certain of the congregation and that it has nothing to do with religion. You are probably aware of the foolish notions that go on among a congregation. 'How often do you buy a suit, Mr. PC.” I asked, and hastened to add, 'I ask only because it is part of this interview.” He laughed and said that I need not worry about the fact that he blew up a little. I keep four suits going, and I think I get a new one to add to them about on an average of once in two years, or perhaps two and a half years. I never tried to figure it out in that way before. I wear suits all of the time, of course, unless I'm on vacation, and then I have to because I don't have any other clothes much. 'What do you think of the newest trends in fashion, the so-called 'new look'f' Well now, I may get myself in a jam by saying that I think it all right, but let me put it this way. I think it is important to people to feel at case about the things they wear, and if having any kind of a look that is decent is a comfort, then every 538 individual should have that look, and the minister's family should have it, too. I think we manage pretty well to keep abreast of all that. Some things that the girls are wearing like their long dresses, look a little foolish perhaps, but I'd far rather look down upon a too long dress than a too short one. I talked to a group of college women not too long ago, and I couldn't help but feel that they looked much as girls did when I was in school, except that their skirts were longer and their hair was different sane way. I look over the congregation at church and feel the same way. They are still fine people and most of them are keeping fine‘homes, regardless of the length of skirts or anything like that. ”How do you feel than about girls and women going to church or other places without hats and hose?‘ His brows were raised over this question. He gave it some thought and said, I'll have to admit that I am a dyed-in-the-wcol preacher to believe that wounen's heads and legs, too, should be covered in the church. I admit, too, that it is probably not important. Nevertheless, there it is. I don't know much about the need for hate on women and girls on other occassions, but everyone is going to wear them to church in my family. I'm not foolish enough to think that everyone is going to do it though. More and more, I find women in church without hats. It's mostly among the young people and I think that the minute they start growing up a little, that they change. When Joan goes to college next year, she'll feel more grown up and want a hat more than she does now, I'm sure. You see, even the minister's daughter wants to transgress, but we don't permit it. There aren't many restrictions on her to make her feel resentful of being the daughter of a minister, but there are a few, but I feel that she would have to observe them amrway, whether or not I preached. She is not permitted to wear shorts on the street and she must wear a hat in church. We have had no trouble about the hose. She is buying her own now. She isn't permitted to park in cars. She got around that last week by parking in our driveway, and when I got up at two o'clock in the morning, she was still there. She had had twelve o'clock penniesion and ' her excuse was that she had been home right there in the driveway. I don't suppose they had been doing a thing except sitting there necking, and I used to do the same. We had a little trouble over it when she came in at two-thirty, so you can see we are quite a normal family. 539 “You say that Joan buys her own hose. Does that mean that you do not give the children an allowance?“ “Bruce is too young and Joan doesn't need one right now; Did she tell you about it?“ I nodded, and he continued, We are never quite sure of our money. ‘we always get it in one way or another and usually in time. It is hard to give stated sums to anyone, but Joan did have an allowance of a dollar a week. I think she found it inadequate, however, so I'm.glad that she earns a little. That helps to keep her happy. My wife is the one who should have the allowance. Perhaps I should have been an engineer after all, but'we have quite a satisfying life, and'what more should we ask? I had very mnch appreciated the chance to interview Mr. PC., and tOId him 80o CASE STUDY 22 PROFESSIONAL THE H---FAMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE FORTY-SIX THE MOTHER, AGE FORTY-ONE ANN, AGE FOURTEEN JIMMY, AGE NINE The H. family live in the city where Mr. H. is a teacher in the public high school. Mrs. H. does not work and seems to keep an inunaculate house, which is comfortably and tastefully furnished, in so far as I was able to determine. She and her husband were courteous about my request, and Ann, a freshman in high school, and Jimmy, in the fourth grade, were very willing to cooperate. I had made the arrangements for a Friday night after school, and Jimmy was to be the first, as he would be first to come from school. Ann was to follow at four o'clock, her mother after her, and the father last of all, which would give Mrs. H. time to finish preparing her evening meal while her husband was being inter— viewed. Both Jimmy and I were at the house promptly at three-thirty, and after he had scrubbed the grime from his hands and face, we sat down in his father's den to talk. We talked of several things and at last I said, "What is an interview, Jimmy?" 'What we're having,‘ he answered. I knew that he understood 541 what we were going to do, and began to ask questions. 'That is a nice shirt you are wearing today, Jimmy. Did your mother make it for you?" To my great surprise, he said, 'Uh huh. She made my other ions, too.’ It was a black and white plaid wool shirt, well tailored and.looking as though it might have come from.a men's clothing store. "Do you like the things she makes for you Jimmy?" Sure. my grandma M. makes things for Ann, and Mamma makes my wool shirts. She don't make my mothers though. I've got two of these, this and my blue one. my grandma H. can't sew shirts or anything. She's sick. She's got T.B. and Mamma don't want her here. She's afraid we'll get it too, but Daddy says we won't. She's in a 'San' now. You know, where they go, don't you? Down at.....oh, I can't remember. 'Which of the things you wear do you like best, Jimmy?” 'This.‘ He pointed to his shirt saying, ”This stays clean and I like it. my blue one is for good and it gets dirty awful quick. This one I just got, and it stays clean. Manna says I wear it'till it smells.‘ 'Do you help choose your clothes which are bought in stores?” I asked. ”Nope,“ he answered. ”Daddy and Mamma do, and I have to stay home. Ann has to stay with me sometimes and it makes her mad. my grandma M; bought me a coat for Christmas though.‘ 'WOuld you rather have had the coat or something else for Christmas?” He thought deeply with pursed lips, and said, The coat's all right, but I wanted a new football and I never got that. I want one like my dad got. I'd rather I got the 542 football, 'cause I'd get the coat anyway when I wore w mother out my asking for one, or else when my other one wore out. ”Do you like to have clothes like your friends have, Jimmy, or would you rather yours were different‘?‘I ”Heck, I don't Imow. I'd just as soon have Art's new boots, though. They're swell, but my dad says they cost too much.” ”Do you like to wear other people's clothes?" ”Uh...never thought of it, but I guess my mother wouldn't like it. No, I guess not.” ”Do you earn am! money, Jirmy‘l" Sure. I shop at the 'Park and Shop' for Mama and I do lots of things for her, and my dad paid me a quarter to sort stuff for him the other day. I'm going to buy me a'football, and after I get that I'm going to have me some skates. I broke mine a long time ago. Ann's got some, but she won't let me use 'em. I'm going to have some rabbits this summer and sell their wool, and I'll bet I'll have more money an' everything than Ann's got by baby sittin'. 'If you earn all of that money, will you buy clothes with some of it?” He shook his head vigorously and said, No, I won't. Ann would, but I don't want to. I'll put it in the bank and save it. I'm going to China when I get enough. I want to go because that's where I would be living if my dad had stayed. I told Jimmy that he might skip along to his play or whatever it was that he did after school, and he was in such a hurry to get away that he failed to respond to my farewell. His mother came into the room smiling apologetically as her young son banged out of the front door. His sister, Ann, came in 543 shortly afterward, and again Mrs. H. left us alone in the den. Ann H. was a slight, tall girl who looked almost emaciated, although her mother had said she was in perfect health. Her light colored hair was dressed the same as most fourteen year old girls, and was hanging down her back in a mane of fluffiness from an end curl which had nearly grown out. She was neither shy nor was she forward. Her manner was courteous and rather concerned. It was difficult to win her to friendliness and it was only after several stabs in the dark, that I succeeded at all in getting her to talk to me freely. I discovered that she had an interest in making hats for dolls. I led noticed a square box on the hall table as I had entered, but had not known what it contained. As we sat talking, Jimmy came barging into the den carrying the box in his hand. He was in a teasing mood, and said, in a sing-song voice, ”I've got something of yours and I'm going to keep it. How much will you give me for it?" He was swinging the package high in the air and with a look of fury, his sister pounced upon him and tore the box away. Jimrw screamed. Mrs. H. came running and all was pandemonium for a few seconds. Jimmy, startled at his mother's brisk slap upon his rear, shouted, ”I'll get her for this. You just see if I don't!‘I He was pushed from the room with his mother holding his ear tightly in her hand. She threw me a look of apology and closed the door, which Ann promptly looked as she said, I'He's so mean, and he's always been after my hats.” 544 By questioning, I learned that Ann had been practicing for quite some time on the small hat models which are provided for making doll hats. She left the room and returned with several of her choicest ones, and from that time on we got along splendidly. She had made use of many colors and as I admired then, it gave me the opportunity to say, "flhich of the colors do you like best, Jinn?" Ann looked at all of her hats, and then Opened the new box of material, among which were many lovely shades of color. Her brow furrowed, and at last she said, Do you know that I have wondered a lot, and I don't know. I think that anyone who wants to work with cloth and ribbon and fathers had to like a lot of colors. If they didn't, wouldn't they make all of their things just one or two colors? The only color I don't like is brown. It makes me look so pasty or something. Mother doesn't like it either and Daddy says brown makes him look like a Chinese. Mother likes my blue hats best. 'Do you make your own hats, too, Ann?’ Shyly she shook her head, saying, I'd like to try one, but so far I don't have any frames for grown ups and I don't know if I could trim a big one. I'd like to make one for Mother for Easter if I thought I could. I'm not sure if she'd wear it though. I don't wear anything but a tam, but I think I could make one of hose if I had the material. I could for the doll anyway. It's not hard to learn if you do what the magazine says to. 'Which magazine told you about the hats, Ann?" It was in Seventeen and I sent for the first kit last year in the spring and 've a a lot of things since then. I gave away a lot for Christmas, and the girls at school say I could sell them. I don't know if I'd have time or not, and Daddy wouldn't want me selling things around school anyway. Maybe I could sell them downtown though. If I could, I'd be in the doll hat business, and then I could buy all my own clothes. 545 'Do you shop for your own clothes, Ann?” I pick out lots of things I like, and then Mother and I go down together and if I can have it, she buys it for me. I'm not supposed to pick out anything without her knowing I'm going to, though. Sometimes I can't help it because I do it in the window, but she don't care about that. ”Do you have an allowance?“ I get a dollar a week, but that's never enough to buy m doll hat material and I pay for that out of what I earn when I stay with children. I can do what I please with it all, only I'm supposed to have a dollar saved every month, if I've stayed with children four times in the month. If I don't keep my room cleaned up, then I have to pay for taking my clothes to the cleaners after I've saved enough. I have to pay it back to Daddy. I've only had to pay once, though. I can't go to the show unless I have money from my allowance, so I don't go much, and I don't like it very well anyway. I'd rather read. ”What do ou do for amusement besides read and make our doll Y y hats?‘ Daddy is teaching me to play cribbage because he says it will be good for my addition, but I don't like it too well. I listen to the radio on Monday nights and on Sunday morning after I get hane from Sunday School. I like the 'Crime Doctor' and Roy Rogers pragrams and the Sunday funnies. I go to Sunday School, but that isn't amusement. I guess I read most of all. I've read all of the Anne of Green Gables books this winter. ”Which magazines do you read, Ann?‘ 'I read Seventeen, Calling All Girls and I'd like to read T_1:ue Story, but Mother won't let me. She thinks True Story is trashy, but all the girls read it. I like Seventeen.' Why?" I asked. Well, I get my dell hats'from it, and sometimes Mother and i send for some dresses from it. Mother says they're cheaper and I think they're awfully nice. I sent for this jumper. 546 She was wearing a pretty wool plaid jumper and white blouse, which was becoming to her extreme slenderness. "Which outfit that you wear do you like best, Ann?” Oh, I don't know. I guess it might be my ballerina skirt and white blouse that I wear for good. I don't look so skinny in that and I'm tired of Daddy calling me a bean pole. It didn't cost as much as m blue velveteen dress did, though. ”Speaking of cost, what are your views on the sharing of the family income? Do you think that you get a fair share of it, Ann?” I wouldn't know, Mrs. King, for Daddy never will tell me what his check is. I guess I get what I need. Mother must know, but she always says not to bother than about it, that it's something for grownups to know about and not to worry about it. I know we don't have a car though. Daddy says it's good for us to walk and Mother can drive Grandmws car any old time. Grandma M. I mean. Grandma H. couldn't drive if she had a car. Grandma M. is coming in tomorrow to take me home with her, and she is going to show me how to make a skirt. I don't think she ought to have to make it when she's got a sore hand, and Mother won't have time because she is getting ready for her club this week. w Latin Club is going to have a party and I want it for that. I'm going to fringe it and put a safety pin on the front. Daddy says that'll look like I was getting ready to change the baby that I take care of, but I don't care. "Whose opinion do you value most in regard to your personal appearance, Ann?” 'Mother's,‘ she answered quickly and without hesitation. ”Have you ever been ashamed of your mother, your father, or Jimy? I mean about the way they looked?” I'Not me,” she answered slowly. 'I think sometimes that Daddy 13. but I don't know for sure.” 'How would you classify your own appearance in comparison with that of your friends, Ann?” 547 I'm too skinny is all. Other than that, I think I look alright. My clothes kind of hang on me, I guess, and that's why Grand”. says it's hard to sew for me, but Mother says that everything has to be fixed before I can wear it anyway. So it don't make too much difference. Grandma H. has a fit anyway. She thinks I should have things like she had when she was a missionary. I hope she won't come back, but I guess there's no other place to go. Mother says that's what happens when a family has only one child. Much as I wished to pursue the interesting angle of the grand- mother, I asked instead, "Since your clothes have to be fixed over, do you sometimes have them made over from clothing that has been worn?" Brightly, she said, Oh yes. Grandma M. makes some of my skirts and things like that out of old things. She made me a jumper out of Mother's summer coat and she made a head scarf out of one of her old silk dresses. Daddy says that I should go out there and stay until I gain a lot of weight, but I'd rather stay here. I like Grandma and Grandpa H. a lot though. "Do you have any personal problems in particular, Ann? I mean anything connected with clothing?” Ann blushed and I could not imagine why. She figited for a moment and I said, 'Please don't feel that you must tell me anything that you don't want to discuss. Perhaps I could guess if that would help.“ She was silent a moment and I wanted to help her. Finally, after heaving a sigh, she said, I have one problem that Mother doesn't understand. She's real good about all of my other problems. She'd even let me have a date, but I don't care about that until next year. It's just that I'm so skinny and everything shows under my shirts if there's thy bumpl. Suddenly, I understood. 'Do you mean that sometime you are afraid your sanitary pad shows, Ann?“ I asked. 548 She nodded and sighed again. "Some of the girls use something else, but Mother won't let me.‘ I smiled at her sympathetically. 'What do you enjoy most at home, Ann?” 'Working with W doll hats most of all, but of course I like other things here, too.‘ "What do you enjoy the least at home?‘ Right now nothing, but if Grandma H. comes back, it will be that, and she's coming. I won't be able to do anything right then. I'll have to do everything to suit her, for she isn't ever well and Daddy says we must do everything to please her,for all that she did in her missionary work was more than any of us could ever do. I don't see why it matters to her how I comb my hair or if I use a little lipstick or how many dresses I have or how they look. I think that's my mother's business, but the minute Grandma comes, she makes everything like that her business. Ann was thanked and excused, after she had shown me some of the details of the hat making. I had told her that she should take a course in it so that she might learn some of the fundamentals of real millinery for adults. She was interested and said that as soon as she finished high school, she wanted to go somewhere and take up that work. Her mother came in and Ann was asked to go on some errands, and to keep her brother occupied so that we might talk undistrubed. Mr. H. had not come home: yet. When Mrs. H. was asked the family background questions, she did not hesitate at all in beginning. She said, I don't believe there's much of anything very interesting in my life, Hrs. King. I was born out on the farm where my father and mother still live, and I've always lived around here. It's Vic who's had all the romantic, interesting things in his family. I was Just a little country girl until I came to high school here in town, and after I graduated, Iwent to Mt. Pleasant for two you and 54.9 years and started teaching in the first grade, and so you see I've never been away from the country I was born in, except in one other when I was in college for two years, and on a few trips. Of course, I've been in cities. I didn't mean that. I taught fortwo years, and then Vie and I were married. He was the coach and here we are. We 've lived right here in the country ever since we 've been married, and that's fifteen years now. She sighed slightly, and I asked, 'Did you like the farm when were a young girl, Mrs. H.?" _ W sister and I both libd it. It wasn't as though we were deprived of lots of things that a lot of farm girls have to go without. We were only two miles from town and Uncle Bob had the drug store where Doud's store is now, and we could stay with them any time we wanted to. Dad was always pretty successful and our house was about like the ones in town. I don't think I'd have liked the farm if it hadn't been for all of {hose things. The town girls used to like to go home with us and stay, better than they liked to stay at home. My sister is a couple of years older than I an, son got along pretty well, and we are very close now that she has lost her husband. The only trouble is that she lives in Illinois, and I'm hoping she'll come back this way where we can be nearer together. 'When you were young girls, did you used to go to Sunday school church, and do you remember how you used to dress to go?‘I We always went into town to the Methodist Church with Mother. Dad never went. I guess he was too busy on the farm and liked to rest on Sundays. Mother and Evelyn and I always went and we dressed just like the other people. When I got to high school, I was always glad that my mother looked just right when she went to things at school. Dad never went unless it was smethin‘g pretty special like a play or something, but Mother always went, and I was always very proud of her. I am yet. I tell Ann that her grand- mother is more in style than her mother, and I really think she is. Mother always saw to it that Evelyn and I looked the way we should in school, and I'll never forget the time I dried because Ithought all the girls at school would feel badly if we were our new coats to school for the Christmas program. I knew'that some of our friends wanted new coats and couldn't have them. It was pretty silly I know, but I think some of the girls must have felt badly. I know that I had much more than Ann has now, and I think she is getting as much as a child needs. Mother does so'muoh for her. If Ann were different, she'd be completely spoiled. 550 "Did your mother sew for you when you were a girl?‘ She nodded, and said, Oh yes, a lot, but she always mixed in some ready made things, too, and I think that made us feel more like town girls. She used to let us pick out things in a store or in the catalogues, and then send for something. mother must be a natural sewer, for she was never taught by anyone that I know of, for I don't remember my grandmother ever sewing, although she might have and I not know about it. 'Did you ever have thin s to wear that were made over from.ased clothing, Mrs. H.?' we often did. my mother is very good at that, but I'm no good at anything but new cloth. Isn't that funny? I like to make Jimmie's shirts and I think I do that pretty well, for some of his chums wish they could have one like his school shirt. I really think I might work up a business, except that my husband's pride would never permit such a thing. He'd have a fit if I even so much as mentioned working, although I'm.thinking of it quite seriously. She must have thought that I might think it odd for her to be considering working, when she had just said that her husband would never permit it, for she added, 'If people are happier working than at home, than I think it is time to work, but my husband fails to see that.” I waited a moment, and there was silence. ‘At last she said, 9Ann.isn't happy right now. Did she say anything to you about it?” I was not quite sure of what she meant and did not'wish to betray anything that Ann had said in her interview; While I was hesitating, Mrs. H. said, I mean.about her grandmother coming to live with us again. She and Grandma H. aren't happy together, and as soon as she is re- leased from.the hospital, she is to come back to us. There just isn't any other place for her, but it hardly sees eye to eye with .Ann, and doesn't seem fair to her. Jimmy isn't bothered by any- 551 thing and she is quite partial to him anyway, but with Ann, it seems to be a different matter. You see, she is very religious, and doesn't try to understand what girls are in need of or their ways or anything. She has had active tuberculosis and we have been so involved. You know a man doesn't get all worked up over something that he isn't mixed up in all the time, and my husband is at school most of his waking hours, it seems to me, so he never knows half that goes on, end it doesn't seem serious to him at all. Mother H. idolizes him and thinks he can do no wrong, but she is constantly telling Ann how she should act and what she should do and wear, until it gets me completely down. She's done it since Ann was a little thing, and now that she's older, it gets harder to make her try to understand that her grandmother is an old woman who is sick, and is re-living her life as she lived it in China. She was a missionary, you know. I get so tired of it all, and of course any man would not undersinnd how a girl of fourteen would be affected, would they? It just seems to cause us to be tied up in knots lately as the time comes to go and bring her back again. I'd rather not have my lovely Chinese things. Time was waning, and I knew that I must take her back to another question or I would not begin to get the interview completed, so I asked, ”Who buys most of the clothing for your family, Mrs. H.?' I think the answer to that is simple, Mrs. King. I do. We some- times have a bad time figuring out how to make the money last, and Vic gets cross at me when I won't buy myself a new dress for some- thing at school. If I let him do the buying, I'd have a worse time. He thinks that as long as Mother and Dad have plenty, and want to help us, that I should let them give us milk, eggs, butter and meat from the farm, and they do give us so mach that I'm ashamed everytime we load up. Mother gets so much for Ann, too. But of course, we have Mother H.'s clothes to buy for her and is she ever a tartar about that. She insists on everything being black and we would like her to have a little color with her white hair. She's seventy six new, and has been sick so much. We just get her so we think we can control the situation, and then she has to be in bed for two or three weeks. I've worried so about her condition being bad for Ann, she's so terribly thin, don't you think? I nodded in sympathy, but said nothing. Vic thinks that as long as Ann isn't near enough to get germs when she's in bed, that there's no danger, but I worry just the 552 same. You see, she's not in a Sanitarium because the doctors said it was an arrested case about two years ago, and now she won't go back. We have her in a convalescent home for the time being, because it is so hard for me to have her right in bed. Jimy calls it the 'San' because he's heard us talk about taking her back there again. 'What do you think about the so-called 'new look' in clothing? Has it affected your family in any way?” She looked thoughtful for a moment, and said, ”If it has, it would be me, I guess. I'm so busy seeing that Vic and Ann and Jimmy look nice, that I don't have time to bother about nyself.’ ”How do you feel about Ann wearing slacks, jeans, and shorts?” 0h mercy, don't mention shorts: Ann is way too skinny to think of them. It would create quite a sensation around here if she did more than wear slacks, on a picnic or hike. Her grandmother would really have a time if she saw her in any of them, and her father would because he feels that his mother shouldn't be disturbed by things that we can help. Actually, I mean it when I say that Ann is far too thin to look well in shorts, but I don't care to see them anyway, except on little girls. The slacks and jeans are fine as far as I'm concerned, although I never wear them myself. ”Does it cost more to clothe one person in your family than another, Mrs. H.” I'd be very sure that it costs more for my husband's clothes than for anyone. He must dress about so for school, and his sport things cost a lot, and when a man buys a new suit every year or two, it runs into money. Vic isn't very careful of his clothes either, and they're always getting torn. He likes them to look about so, and you can't keep them that way in his work. He goes on a lot of bus trips and things like that, you know. I'What do you think of lay-a-way or charge accounts for clothing?” We don't use either. I think that it isn't good for children to know what their parents are buying, when they buy that way. I feel that more strongly than my husband does, but I just don't like the idea. I think that was drilled into me when I was a girl. 553 ”As a family, do you have a favorite color, Mrs. H.?" No, I don't think so. If I have one, it would be blue I think. We use blue, soft'green, rose and brown more than anything else. But I really don't think we have a favorite. I do know that Ann says that she likes all of her colors so much that she has for her doll hats. She is so wrapped up in them. I want her to go to school someplace where she can get some training in it if she can, when she is out of school. If we keep on having it cost so much to live, I don't know whether we'll ever get them both through college or not, but I suppose we will. I'm not too good at making our budget save the money for it, though. I guess they never work, so I've given up and hope for the best. ”Will you tell me some of the things you do together as a family‘I' The one and only thing that we make a habit of doing, is going to the farm for dinner on Sunday, and we alrnost always do that when Mother H. isn't here. So far, Ann has liked to go and Jimny is in a seventh heaven when he's around the cows and chickens. Dad doesn't have horses any more, but he tells Jimmy that he is going to get an old horse that he can ride. I could tell you only one other thing that we do all four of us together, and that is say the Lord's Prayer at the table. When Mother H. is with us, we don't do that for she likes to have Vic say Grace, but otherwise we do it together about three times a week. We used'to go to the show, but now we hardly ever all go at the same time, unless once in a great while on Sunday afternoon, and we won't do that when she comes, either. We hope to have a car so that we won't have to have the folks take us back and forth so much, and then we'll do more. We sold our car and just haven't felt like buying with the prices on cars so high. I really can't think of another thing to tell you that we do together, although I hadn't quite realised that we did so little. I was forced to end the interview, for Mr. H. had come in and gone to some other part of the house. His wife had said she heard him come in and I new that she was concerned over the dinner. While I waited for him, I relaxed and let my thoughts wander. I was interested in what manner of man Mr. H. was. I was to find many things. 554 Mr. H. was a man weighing at least one hundred and eighty pounds. He was broad shouldered and powerful looking. He escaped being handsome, but was very good looking. He was dressed in casual clothes, which were very good looking. I was glad that I had the opportunity of interviewing him. Since he had said at my first contact that he had an extremely busy schedule and that it would be hard for me to find him at home, I had thought it best to forego some of the relatively unimportant questions with his wife, and have the interview with him, while I had the opportunity. When Mr. H. was asked the questions regarding his birthplace, childhood and so forth, I was quite amazed to hear him say, I was born along the Woosun River near Shanghai, China. You seem surprised. You see, my father and mother were missionaries and went to China in 1900, three years before I was born. My father died during a flood while he was trying to save some of his mission people, and since I was on the way and my mother was almost help- less to know what to do, she was forced to stay and instead of caring for the poor Chinese under my father's mission, she was cared for by them and so was I. When she got strong enough to take me traveling, she had decided to carry on my father's work and made necessary arrangements to do it. I couldn't tell youths details of how she managed, or what all of her hardships were, but they were such that no matter what I do , I can never repay her for her work or her care and worry for me. How a white American women could do a man's work with those people and care for and educate a child of her own, will always be Wand my comprehension. She has always said that if it had not been for Le Shih, her most faithful and intelligent helper, that I would have never survived the dangers of the city streets when I was at last in the 'great city' as we called it. If it had not been for my old nurse, Sen Mo, my mother said I would never have lived in the beginning, for she kept me alive by breathing into my mouth. Does that shock you? I called her 'Sen' and I called my Lo Shih, 'Lo' and I would like so much to know that they were still living. I've not heard from since I came back these many years now...fifteen at least, and I'm afraid they're both gone. I came back with nw mother when I was 555 nearly sixteen. That was in 1919 and Mother was very sick. That's why we came and she had to be put in a Sanitorium and I had to live with an uncle and aunt near Wheaton University. I could see my mother once a month for a year and then she stayed at my uncle's for nearly six weeks and left to go back to China. I stayed in this country to be educated at Wheaten, and has I am. I guess that's about all there is. "Won't you fill in some gaps for me, Mr. 11.? I am greatly inter- ested and wonder if you won't tell me more about the life you led in China, your school and church life, how you dressed, and anything you like.” W mother and father were trained for their work and Mother could preach or teach or doctor as well as my father could, from all I've ever been able to get her to tell me, and from what I know from living there with her and seeing her minister to the poor devils. We both loved them, and I never knew that I was missing anything in this country until I got reconciled to being away from China, and away from Mother, too. Our children are not close to their mother in this country as children are in China. If I could be a missionary I'd go in a minute if my wife would go, but she wouldn't, and I couldn't do the good that my mother did. It's her chief disappoint- ment in life that I failed to go back. She thought that after I had graduated from college I would go back and live there with her and carry on her work, after she couldn't do it any longer. He had paused, and I asked, I'Why didn't you go back?” I fell in love. Mother never quite forgave me for that, I'm afraid. My wife and I would have gone after we were married, but Ann spoiled that plan and we didn't go. Mother stuck it out until 1934, and she came home to be with us, and she was sick again from the old trouble. Ann was just a little thing and Mother's health has gone from bad to worse until lately she seems getting better again. She doesn't have active lung trouble. It's just that she has given her whole life for her work. You asked me about school and church. I can't tell you much about school except that I was tutored so I could always be ready to go on with my education when I came back to this country. Never were we anything but Americans, of course, and Mother taught me herself for a long time, but when I was about eleven she had an American minister who was in Shanghai, tutor me. I was never in the mission school except to visit and then I loved it. I had lots of friends because my mother was so loved and revered by the people under her care. I remember once that she took off her skirt which was of some wool stuff and tore it in two pieces. One she put around a woman's naked shoulders and the 556 other one bound up a badly swollen and blackened foot. The woman had been thrown out as an outcast and her clothes had been ' ripped off her body. I could tell many stories about such things. "How did you dress to go to your lessons and to Sunday services? Or were there none?" There were plenty: I had lessons every day of my life and everyone attended services on Sunday twice a day. It was my mother's business to see that they did and she used to have a time of it sometimes. She would give me pennies in our money sometimes to help round up sane of the ones who weren't prompt in getting to the service. Our kids think that a penny is something to throw away and they think of a dollar as being almost nothing. Why, Ann spends her allowance as though it grew on a bush, but those pennies my mother used to give me were worth a whole mint to me, when I was a boy. I dressed in ordinary clothes that the people sent us from home. 01‘ course it was home to my mother back here in America, but to me, China was home and I think it will always be that way, even though I'm a man grown and probably will never go back now. It's hard to save enough to take a trip like that and keep a family. 'Did you always like the clothes that were provided for you?” I suppose I did. I didn't know any different and whatever I wore was always different from my Chinese friends and I always wanted to wear what they wore, but that was one thing my mother wouldn't have, and she always said that I must remain an American, even though I was Chinese at heart. She and I have some great times talking over the old days. I could go on and on so you should be warned. Much as I want ed him to tell me many more things of his life in China, I knew that I must go on with the interview if I hoped to cover all of my material. 'Now that you have a family offour to support, Mr. H., there must be some problems and I'm interested in knowing about any clothing problems." My wife takes care of all that. I have the problem of earning the money and she has the problem of food and clothing and keeping the home going. It's as simple as that, isn't it? I have a family of five, not four. Mother is part Of my family. Speaking of clothing and keeping the home going, I suppose I do have some problems. In fact, I know I do. My wife is cconsoientious and 557 thinks of the children's clothing and mine before she does her own, and while it sounds disloyal to say it, she doesn't keep her clothes as up-to-date as I'd like her to. I don't know quite how to tell her except that I want her to spend more money on herself, but she comes right back at me with the answer that we Can't afford its ”Could you give me an example of what you mean about your wife's clothing.» Mr. H.?' He had been a little vague and I hoped to get something definite in regard to his feeling of the term up-to- dates Mr. Well, I think that a good sample of it is that she didn't have a long dress to wear to the Christmas banquet or to the J-Hop. She went in a short dress and the other men's wives had on long dresses. While it probably wasn't a crime, I felt mighty uncomfortable, if you know what I mean. I'm sure that I use more for clothes than she does, and I-'m pretty hard on my clothes, but I want her to have everything she needs regardless of that, and I sure think it's more important for my wife to look right than for the kids to have everything they want. 'Do you plan the division of your income together as a family, H.7' Doris has some kind of a budget, but I don't pay much attention to it. We use the same check book and she's as free as I am to write a check. She worries about the kids going to college, and I say let them do a little worrying for themselves. I had to. I'm not so sure I wouldn't have been a lot happier if I'd stayed right in China when I was fifteen and never ome back to go to college. Who knows? I was trained in a religious school and ended up teaching history and coaching football, when it really wasn't what I wanted at all. I'm not sure I know what I wanted. Right now, I want to be rich enough to go back to China, but of course I can't even think of it and wouldn't, the state she is in now. I get lonesome for the pungs on the river. I used to lie on 1w back and be lazy while 'Lo' guided it in and out among the rice paddies. It's strange how that memory clings in my wind. The sky, the sunshine, the water and the movement of the paddies...I can see them all every time I let myself dream. Will you tell me what your opinion is in regard to your wife and daughter wearing slacks, shorts, and that type of thing, Mr. H.?' 558 Yes, I'll be glad to tell someone what I think about the whole of them. I think as my mother does. Girls have no business in men's garb and no business in anything that exposes them to the public. I couldn't be raised in China and feel any different than that. My wife thinks I feel that way because Mother does, but it's deep- er than that with me. It's something I can't help in spite of my years in this country. 'How do you feel about lay-a—way or charge accounts for clothing?” 'We don't do it. Period. I think that things get out of control pretty easy when people make use of either. It's so darned easy to think you need something, and then have it to pay for.” ”What are some of the things that you do together as a family, Mr. IL?“ Not much these days without a car. 'I was foolish enough'to sell ours and now I find I'm without one, and I don't like it. I don't think we do much except go to church and to the farm Sunday after Sunday. I like to relax on Sunday. I go to Masonic Lodge and my wife goes to Eastern Star, and we go to some school affairs, but we don't take the kids to any of those places. I go a lot alone on trips. 'Do you feel that your personal appearance is of importance in your position, Mr. IL?" He was quiet a moment, and said, I certainly do, and I think my wife's is, too. If she would kick about what I spend on my clothing to keep up a good appearance, I'd feel better, but she is so quiet and so careful, that I never know what she‘ is thinking. I bought the second new suit in a year the other day, and she was just as interested as though I hadn't had one in five years. "How long do you plan to wear your suits?" ”I think about once in two years. I'm not easy on clothes, and I have to keep quite a few things going." 559 'Do you have a favorite color for your suits?" He looked puzzled a moment, and said, You know, it's a funny thing, but I like so many colors. For my suits and coats, I'd get gray every time, but I mix 'em up and have some navy blue and some brown as well as gray. I'm not much for a lot of loud colors, and I like everything to match instead of some of the crazy things they are putting out for ties now. 'What do you think of the ties and socks you get for Christmas and birthdays?‘ ”If I like 'em, I wear 'em, but if I don't, I give 'em away. That's simple now, isn't it?" He smiled and looked down at the tie he was wearing. It was perfect for the outfit he was wearing. ”Do you buy all of your own clothes?” It was almost with a little boy's vehemence that he answered, I'You bet! And I don't want anyone telling me how, either. I don't tell anyone else and I dcn't like anyone hanging around when I'm trying on something." 'Will you tell me how the appearance your family makes, compared with other families you know?" He looked at me with a peculiar expression on his face as though he had never thought of it before. At last he said, 'I imagine they look average. Most families do. I know my wife isn't the stylish kind at all, so I'm not sure how I should answer that one.” I had been so interested in talking to Mr. H., that I had failed to notice the time. I suddenly awakened to the fact that it was sil o'clock and I knew that I had stayed long enough. I thanked him and 560 said goodbye. I knew that there must be an appetizing dinner, from the odors mich were drifting from the kitchen. CASE STUDY 23 PROFESSIONAL THE HMu-FAMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE THIRTY -NINE THE MOTHER, AGE THIRTY -SEVEN CONNIE, AGE FOURTEEN MARY, AGE TEN KAREN, TINY BABY The HM's are a charming family to meet. Mr. HM. is rather an aristocratic looking individual with a small mustache while his wife seems ideally suited to him in stature, charming manners and speech. They were most gracious in granting my request and it was with a feel- ing of pleasure that I made my call at the appointed time in March, and relaxed in their simply furnished, but charming, living room. Mr. HM. had courteously absented himself while his wife was to be interviewed, and the two girls were upstairs with their baby sister. Since time was important to the mother on that particular evening, it was agreed that the mother would be first, Mary second, Connie third and the father last of all. I had commented on the fact that it was nice to have the tiny baby in the family and Mrs. II. had said that she agreed, but that a baby changed the way of family living considerably, and‘that the coming of the baby had interrupted her work in the public schools. We're crazy about the baby, of course, but we find that five cannot live as cheaply as four. I had signed a contract to teach for this 562 school year, you know, and we had planned the use of the money, too, so it really made us do some fancy budgeting. 'You have a budget, then Mrs. HM.?' I'I'm.afraidwe couldn't live, breathe and have our being with- out one. It doesn'talways work, but it helps clear our thinking anyway. The girls get impatient about it, especially Connie.‘l ‘ She sighed, and I thought how delicate she looked to be rearing a family of three. Connie doesn't understand yet that she can't make money grow on trees just because she wished it would. Right nOW'BhO'B ashamed of our car, our lack of a davenport, and half a dozen other things. She blames the baby and the budget for all of her troubles. ”Does Connie have an allowance, are. HM.?' Oh yes, but it is never enough to cover all of her needs, fancied and real. She is getting to be quite a problem and I really don't know what to do with her. She is at the point right now where she thinks she has nothing to wear and she is stewing about it. Her dad is losing his patience and after he reaches a certain point, he'll blow up and we'll have a scene at the HM. house. I try to be patient, but she is at a trying age I guess. She feels so grown up and the boys are simply following her around like flies, and we are at our wits end about that. I suppose its a natural thing, but it's pretty hard to cope with. That may be the reason why she changes her dress four or five times before she can go to school in the morning, and everyone she changes she throws on the bed or on a chair, and sometimes even the floor. Oh'wellx I didn't mean to go on.so much about it. I expect all mothers of teen age girls and boys have the same things to contend with. 'Do you remember when you were Connie's age, Mrs. HM.?” She laughed, and said, I remember all right, but I couldn't have been so aggravating. I remember when I was Mhry's age too. I thought that if I could ever get to be twelveyears old that I would be the queen of all I surveyed, for when I was twelve I was to have something that I had wanted more than anything in the world. It was something more than 563 the ring that I wanted, though. I wanted most of all to start menstruating. Most of the other girls did, and I felt like I was an outcast, and I used to haunt my poor mother about it until at last, in desperation, she told me that if I ever mentioned it again, she would not get me the ring that I had wanted so long. I must have been an unusual girl, for most of my friends wouldn't have thought of mentioning such a thing to their mother. Mary is the same way and sometimes her frankness appals me. Connie's lack of it appals me, too, so I can't be pleased, I guess. 'What else can you tell me about your childhood, Mrs. HM.? ‘Where were you born and where did you live the first years of your life?’ Oh, I was born in Ithaca, and so was Herb. 'We are related to the people who live there now. Both of us have always lived right around here and have been away just long enough to go to college. Herb taught in a couple of different places before we came here, but this has always been home. Our peOple lived In Ithaca always, I think. I remember as a tiny girl that my mother used to take me to the meat market there in Ithaca and I was frightened at the sight of the slaughtered pigs. I've never gotten over it I guess. I still don't like seeing them. I remember the house we lived in at that time, too. It was white and big, but that's all I remember about it, except that once at night the room had one whole side draped with some white material of some kind, and I awakened and thought Santa Claus was coming right through the white cloud. I could hear the sleigh bell plain as anything. It was so real, and I can still visualize the whole thing. I held my breath so long my lungs must have almost burst with it. I don't remember anything else until I was at the age of dressing the cats in doll clothes, and stepping on nails and that sort of thing. "Do you remember how you dressed to go to Sunday School or church or didn't you go?‘' We went, Della and I. Della was my twin sister who died a year ago. 'We used to fight over which clothes were which, and Mbther couldn't solve the problem because they were alike, and we were alike and the same size, and so she used to sew a colored thread in each of our things so we could tell them apart. That didn't work, either. Della always picked the colored thread that was on a dress that had all it's buttons, and no holes. It always ended in a fiiht over who owned what color. I don't remember anything else special about the way we dressed , except that we always had dresses alike and'we always had a white dress for Sunday 564 School on Children's Day. They had blue sashes that tied in the back and we must have looked funny bobbing down the street. Mether wanted one of us to wear a blue sash and one a pink one, but we always refused because it was so much fun to confuse people. You see, there was only one thing that Della and I didn't agree on, and that wasn't poor Della's fault. Much as I wished to become a women, it was Della who started to menstruate first and it broke my heart and almost soured me on being a twin. I forgave her after a wait of nearly a year, but l've never forgotten it. Now I'm petrified for fear that Mary will start so early. "I've been thinking about your white dresses for Sunday School. Do you remember anything about how your father and mother dressed when they went to church, Mrs. HM.?” She shook her head and said, I don't recall that Mother and Father went to church particularly. I mean they weren't regular church goers, but they went often. I suppose they dressed in their best, but I don't know. Mother is very fussy about her clothes and when she and Dad go to church now she dresses like she does to go any other place, of course. Both of them are so wrapped up in the baby that they don't pay much attention to the girls anymore. They wanted her to be a boy, you know, and Mother bought a whole outfit of blue, but both of them say now that pink is best anyway. "What is the color that is family favorite?" She smiled and said, I really think that pink is right now, but it never was before that I know of. I'm not so sure that Connie likes it best. She's been a little concerned over the fact that the baby has cost so much. She'wanted a new dress for a birthday party the other day, and'when she didn't get it, she made the remark that she supposed that she'd never be able to have anything now that we had a baby. I offered to have my very pretty maternity dress made over for the party, and she simply went to pieces and almost screamed about it. I tried to explain that no one could possibly recOgnize it, but it didn't make the slightest bit of difference to her. She wouldn't think of having it. I think she was a little ashamed of the fact that we had the baby and she connedts the dress with it, of course. The print is too old for Mery, so I'll save it, but not for another baby. She added the last comment with a smile. 565 'Do you sew, Mrs. HM?I Nothing but to mend the holes and thin 8 like that. I wish I did, for our families give us so many things that I could make over for the girls, but they aren't much good unless they fit pretty well, for I have to hire someone to make them over and that ends up costing as much as new material would, so I can't feel that it's so much of a saving. Of course, sometimes the things are letter perfect and then the girls quarrel over which one gets what, until they try on everything and that decides it,for,Connie is more developed than Mary, but not any taller. "How has the 'new look' affected your family?' I asked. Well, not,so you could notice it I guess. We all like to be well dressed except that nothing like that bothers Mary too much. Of course, it's more important that Herb look just right than any of us. I think I could say that Connie worries a good deal about clothes for herself and us, but not too much about the 'new look.' I am planning to go without new things until we get caught up with expenses. I have one or two ideas in my head that I got from McCall's that will make my old things have a newer look than they 30 rigHE 110'. 'Do you ever listen to style talks on the radio to help with your ideas of remodeling?‘ She shook her head, saying, 'I can't rememberof ever hearing such a program. I head clothes advertised sometimes, but that's all..' 'Do you approve of slacks, shorts, and jeans, for yourself and the girls?” I certainly do, except that I would not appear on the street in any of them, but the girls wear them all, much to Herb's disgust. He thinks that Connie is too old and too big to expose herself in shorts. I haven't been able to make him see that all of the girls wear them all over and think nothing of it. He told Connie last summer that if she would stop wearing shorts, that he'd buy her a bicycle, and he did in September. It wasn't a day before she had those shorts on and she proceeded to wear them until it got too ' cool. Herb found out that it didn't pay to promise her the bike, too. Mary just isn't as old and he thinks of her as a little girl. By another year she will be bigger and then he'll have two of them to battle with, I'm.afraid. 566 Asked how she felt about the hose and hats being worn by the girls, she said, She I believe that every girl should be taught to wear both. Most of the girls will probably’wear hose when they dress up, I think, but hats are another matter, and I know whereof I speak. The girls go to church with Herb, and I don't go since way before the baby came. It's too complicated to get a meal along with church and everything. Connie simply will not wear anything on her head unless I force her to. nary wears a beanie, but not Connie. She doesn't even want to wear a scarf over her head when she goes to school and most of the girls do that, I believe. I keep working on it and hope to come out an top. ”when you were a girl, did you wear a hat to church, I wonder?” laughed and said, Probably not, although I was always hat minded. I should like to tell you a story about a little girl who so loved to wear hats, that she disgraced herself, rot whipped, became very ill and made a mess of things in general. I don't believe I ever repeated it before. This little girl was about eleven years old and she had a passion for hate. You know the kind children used to wear. Straw hats in the summer with ribbons and flowers all around the brim} 'well she had a pretty one and were it to school one day, and in playing out at recess, she lost her hat to another girl who teased her about it and made fun of it. The girl was older and after taking the hat she tossed it around from one to another. By the time the bell rang and it was time to go in, this little girl was very angry. The older girl added insult to injury by winning a spelling contest, and that night after school another older girl dared the little one to do a nasty thing. She suggested that it would serve the obnoxious girl just right if she were to urinate in the girl's hat which was also one of straw and very pretty. She had gone home and forgotten it, and there it lay on the shelf. The little girl was intrigued by the prospect of gett- ing even, and promptly did as she was dared to do. The next day at noon the little girl was kept in and the teacher told her she knew about it and asked whether or not she had been in the habit of doing things like that at home, and the child said 'no'. All of the outside windows hung full of boys and girls who were listening, and in front of them all the teacher whipped the girl. This girl girl became dreadfully ill during the afternoon and vomited several times, but the teacher did not send her home. 567 When school was out, she staggered down the street and when she had gone a long way, the teacher drove up beside her and wanted to take her home, but the little girl would not ride. When she finally got home she was very ill and in bed for several days. Her mother found out through one of the neighbors and “talked to her, but the girl only turned her head away and cried. "hen she had to get well and go back to school, she was taunted by all of the boys in her room for two years afterward. She has never forgiven the older girl who told on her, and her love for hats was so diminished that she has not the heart to be too cross about a young girl wearing a hat. When she thinks of that episode, she feels a sick revulsion of fear and shame. There was silence in the room and at last she said, ..It's silly, isn't it, to let childhood things haunt one?“ I could almost feel the grief and shame of the little girl that Mrs. HM. had once been. We both shrugged our shoulders, so to speak, and I asked another qua stion. 'Who does the buying of the family clothing?" We all do, I guess, for Herb takes the girls down sometimes and helps them choose something, and sometimes I do it. He and I buy our things together often, contrary to all the things we hear about women not liking to shop with their husbands. I really enjoy having him with me, and I like to shop with him, and’like his opinion on everything but shoes, and there he fails me. In fact, I don't bother to ask. I think he could clothe the girls just as well as I could, if anything should happen to me. Of course, I believe in making them independent so that if something should happen to both of us, they could go on and do for themselves. It backfires on me sometimes though, for it makes Connie so independ- ent that we can't live with her. 'Do you help your husband buy his clothing, too?” 'He always makes his own decisions and I tell him what I think. His taste is really better than mine, I'm afraid. I really mean it.” ”How do you feel about lay-a-way accounts or charge accounts or such for clothing?" 568 We use neither because we feel that it's a foolish way to do, and if Connie should get a start on something like that, it would be hard to control, I'm afraid. Of course, she wouldn't have the right to use a charge account, but she would want to. 'Do you plan college for the children, Mrs. HM?" She looked at me in surprise, and said, Oh definitely. The girls will go where we happen to be located the nearest. I know that we are going to need to help keep Connie at home, and Mary too, probably, as both will be far too young to be away from us by the time they are in college. When I asked her to tell me some of the things the family did together, she thought a moment, and said, We do many things, but the one things we always do is read a short story, or rather tell it after we have read it. We tell them at the dinner table at night and we take turns doing it. It's a habit we formed when Conrie first went to school and could read stories like the Little Red Hen. We observe the holidays, too, and Connie took hers from GoodHousekeeping and Mary took hers from her Sunday School paper for tlfiChrismas story. We each have to find our own story and I feel that it is good training for the girls. We go to church when I'm back to normal again, but I don't know when that will be. We picnic in the summer and 1- guess we've just about said it. People just don't do things together anymore, do they? I think Connie hasn't wanted to do anything with us all winter. Mary is quite docile, as yet. Mary, age ten, came into the room and very shyly smiled at me. She had had a bath so she could have time to see Jane, the girl next door, before she had to go to bed. She was pale, and slightly built. She was a little too tall for her age and the pallor of her face made me suspicious that she might be anemic. She looked weary and much more tired than a girl of her age had any right to look. We talked of school, of the Scout drive that had been on that week and many other things that a girl of ten should be interested in. She had told me that she was in the seventh grade, but seemed very 569 childish in her actions and speech. 'Mary,‘ I asked, "Will you tell me which of your clothes you like to wear best of an?" 'I know. It's the blue jumper like Connies. We got them for Christmas and I like mine, but Manna said that she guess that I could have Connie's too.’ ”Why is that?“ I asked. Connie don't like it when Grandme gets us something just alike, and Grandma S. does it. She says that it is easier to buy two things alike than it is to pick out something that we'll have a fight over. She don't know that Connie hates her for it. Mannna makes her wear them, too. This last was said with a great satisfaction. 'Do you help buy your own clothes, Mary, or does your mother or someone else do it for you?” ”Daddy and Manna both,” she answered. "Sometimes I tell them what it is I want, though.“ 'Do you always get it after you tell them?". She looked rueful and shook her head before saying, ”I almost never do, not right when I want it, because I have to wait until Daddy gets his check, and then I can't always, but sometimes I do." ”Does your mother make some of your clothes?” Again, she shook her head and said, "Mrs. 1'. makes as things, and the rest Daddy and lime. buy, except what Grandma 8. gives us.‘ "What about your Grandma M.? Does she buy you some clothes, tool". I asked. ' 570 ”No, Grandma M. can't afford to, I guess. Anyway she never does.” 'Do you sometimes get clothes for your birthday and for Christmas?‘I Again her face lighted, and she said, we always do from Hanna and Daddy and Grandma 8. my Aunt Della used to send us things from.0regon, too, but she's dead now. I like what Grandma gets me best of all. Mama gets me things that are practical but Grandma gets me things to dress up in for good. ”Do you go to Sunday School or church, Mary?' ”Every Sunday,‘ she said, simply and mater-of-factly. "Do you dress in any special way for either?" Her thin shoulders were hunched slightly for a moment as if in thought. ”I guess not,‘I she said at last. “Just my Sunday clothes is all. I mean the things I don't wear to school, except when we have a special party or something. I wear the same things to church that I do to Sunday School, though.‘ I smiled at the thought of dashing home from.ohurch to change for Sunday School, or vice versa. 'Do you like to have clothes like those that the other girls in your grade have, Mary? Or do you like to be different?‘ They never are just alike you know. I like things like by best friend has, but-EEEma thinks they should be something alike, but not just, but I like things like Connie has. She thinks she's so old and so smart. When I get to be fourteen I'm.not going to act like she does. She don't like me to have anything like here. ”Have you learned to sew, Mery?” No, but I want to next year and I want a model. You know one of those that look like a doll but aren't, and they're to make clothes 571 on. The girls in Brownie bcouts are going to sell them and make a lot of money. Mamma says I can have one if I can save half of the money for it. I think I can if I stop buying candy bars and potatoe chips. Daddy says they're bad for me anyway. 'Do you have an allowance then, fiery?” Oh, I get seventy-five cents a week when the budget is okay, and fifty or twenty-five when it isn't. Connie gets more than I do and she's never satisfied, but she can't save any of what she gets. She gets a dollar and when I'm in the ninth grade I'll get that much, too. Daddy says that I save more on mine that she does on here, but I don't save it to put it in the bank. I just put what Grandma M. gives me in the bank, and I've got thirty-five dollars now and if Daddy don't get me a bicycle like Connie's, I'm.going to use that money for one. Connie is supposed to share it, but she lets all the other girls ride it because she says they are her chums. Hamma and Daddy think I ought to come first. 'What can I do, though? She can never ride mine if I get one either. She don't like to sit with the baby either, but I do, and Manna said that if Connie wasn't going to do her share, that she was going to pay me for half of the times that we had to stay with her. Connie makes me change her, too, all the time, and.mamma said we were to share it. ' 'Do you earn other money, Mary?” I'd like to stay with other babies, but Hanna and Daddy think I'm to young and too thin and need my sleep, but next year I can, or this sunsner. If I get enough, I'm going to buy me a desk all my own and then Connie can have ours all by herself. 'Tell me, Mary, before we end the interview, do you usually like the new dresses that your mother gets?” I'Sure," she said with a great loyalty. ”Mamma looks better than any of the other girl's mothers.’ I think that it must be wonderful to have a mother like that, “'ary. You are a very lucky girl, I think. Thank you so much for answerizg the questions I have asked you. ‘Will you tell Connie that I am ready for her now if it is convenient for her to come down? Mary went out of the room and her mother came in long enough to say that she hOped Mary had not frozen up for me. Connie came in and' 572 I proceeded to bet better acquainted with her. Connie sppeared lush and fully developed beside her younger sister and she had a very self assured manner that was quite different from that shown by Mary. Soon we talked of the Cocker Spaniel who was curled in front of the fireplace. At last, I began the interview. I was surprised at the bitterness in her answers. Asked her opinion of the division of the family income, she said, We don't divide it. We budget it and there's never enough to get anything I need. It all goes for the baby. Mother used to buy me a new dress once in a while before that, but now I have to do without. My allowance didn't get a raise because of the baby. My Freshman dance won't get a new dress, and that's because of the baby, too. She needs all the extra money there is for some reason. When I get out of high school I'm going to get a job, and I'll never teach school. That's what my dad does and he has to have everything the baby don't take, to 'maintain his position,' Mother says. Phooey: I’Would you rather your mother worked than to have the new baby?" I don't think we needed a baby, and we needed the things that Mother got. She promised a new davenport and Dad was going to get a new car, and now we have to ride around in‘an old wreck that's as old as I am, and all the kids have new cars, but us. ”Whose opinion do you value the most in regard to your personal appearance, Connie?" Promptly, she said, My girl friends. We all get each others opinions and one of my teachers said that she thought none of us cared about anything but ourselves. I do, but it‘gets boring to never have anything or be allowed to do anything. . "Did you go to the dance you spoke about, Connie?" Daddy wouldn't let me go with a boy and when I couldn't have my dress, I didn't want to go with the girls either, so I didn t go. My father and mother don't understand that those things are important and I can't make them. When I'm sixteen, I'm not going to ask any more. I'm just going to go, but all my friends I go you 573 around with have troubles, too. They just don't have the same kind that I do. "Do you shop for your own clothes, Connie?" Like fun, I do. I'm not considered old enough to get my own things. I do help, 'tinough, but that's no fun. Peggy S. gets all of her own clothes and takes the money and pays for them, but I'm not mature enough, my mother says. Heck: I'm as old as I'll ever be in know- ing what I want, but I guess they don't trust me with the money. Mother is afraid I'll upset her old budget and then it won't balance. f' 'Would you rather be dressed like the other girls, or would you rather be different?” I don't want to be dressed like a baby and that's what 1w grandmother tries to do to me. She thinks she's doing something big for me and thinks I'll appreciate a dress just like Mary's, but I won't wear them. I'd just as soon be dressed like my girl friend. super and I like that. Mother won't let me though. my clothes anyway. All but the one like Mary's Peggr is I like most of 'Do you have clothes made over for you sometimes, Connie?” ”Sometimes," she answered. "Usually I like to have Mother have Mrs. W. fix me something, because we get some pretty ritzy things once in aWhile e I draw the line at my mother's dresses." Her attitude was disturbing, but seemed to be natural and entirely sincere. 'Do you saw, Connie?‘I No, I'd hate it. I lmow I would, Mary is the quiet one around here. She's stubborn, too, and wants to have everything I have and do everything I do. The boys don't like her though. b'hen; too skinrw and anyway, she's just a baby. She can wrap Dad around her finger and I can't, and sometimes she can get something for me that I can't get for myself. When she csnm she does, like the other day I needed an extra quarter for the show. I'd spent all mine am so had she. She got enough for both that day. 'When you can't get a dress or something to wear by asking one of your parents, do you ever ask the other one, Connie?” 574 'Oh sure, I try them both, and then have to go without. It's always worth a try, though.” ”Do you think you should take care of your clothes and do your mending and pressing?" I suppose I should, but I don't. If I could have some of the things I want, I would be willing to. Mother makes me pick them up and put them on hangers. Every Saturday, I have to do that. I always take good care of my blue gabardine dress because I like to wear it most places. The girls all say that it's the best looking dress that I have, but I take pretty good care of them all, I think. .At least. I never let them get soiled under the arm. Mother is always check- ing to see if I've used something, and I guess more girls need to. A.lot of girls at school and some of our teachers go around that way. "What is your opinion in regard to the use of cosmetics and removal of hair?" I have an awful time with my folks over lipstick and razors. Daddy says he forbids me to use a razor and he won't let me have enough money to buy creams for it, but Nether lets me once in a long while. She won't let me take the hair off my arms and legs though. Just under my arms, like she does. ”Have you ever been ashamed of the way your family dress, Connie?’ ”I guess not,“ she answered. ”Only before the baby was born. I didn't like to be seen with my mother then, she looked awful. She looks nice now though." 'How would you classify your own appearance?' It was amusing to see Connie preen herself before she answered. it last she said, ”Sharp most of the time even if my folks are so stingy. I wouldn't be, though, if we didn't get some things given to us. At least, I wouldn't with my mother not teaching.‘' 575 ”What are some of the things you do for amusement, Connie?” I'm not allowed to go with boys, but I'm going to. I go to the show with Peggy, and we sit with our friends down there, and so we have dates anyway of a sort, and we don't care what's on. we talk half the time anyway and that way we have fun. I used to like to read, but now Mother takes my magazines away and I don't have much chance. I did take to the Girl Scounts until I couldn't go out on long hikes. That's when the baby was coming and I had to stay at home and help Mother, whether I wanted to go on a hike or not. So I kind of lost interest and don't go anymore. ‘We go to church and Sunday School. I hate Sunday School, but I have to go just the same. It's so boring. “What are the magazines that you like the best, Connie?I It is the True Story and Mother and Dad have fits about it, but all the girls readfithem. my mother was so embarrassed when one of her friends found one here and she threw them in the fire and wasted all the money, and now I borrow them at school if I want to read. "What do you enjoy most at home?" She thought for a moment and then said, I wouldn't have any idea. Nothing in particular I guess. The least? You'll be shocked like Mother. It's the baby. She'll be all right I suppose sometime, but I don't like her taking things from all of us and she does all the time. first, it's the hospital bill and then it's a carriage and then it s something else. I just don't like it at all. I thanked Connie for her courtesy to me as I had thanked her sister Mary, and she sauntered casually out of the room swinging her hips the slightest bit. Her mother came in just as she was leaving and sighed as she watched her. 'I wonder when a girl this age begins to act her age instead of acting eighteen or twenty,” she remarked. Mr. HM. had not come in as yet and we visited while we waited. At the end of another ten minutes he came in, all apologies for being late. As he seated himsflf, his wife again left the room, and since it was getting rather late, I wasted no time, but began the interview 576 almost at once. and and I had asked the questions in regard to the birthplace, childhood, so forth, and Mr. HM. said, ‘As Martha might have told you, she and I have both always lived around here and I was born in Ithaca and.my people still live there. we are both lucky that we still have our parents but they are all getting old now. My father has been connected with newspaper work since I can remember, but he is retired now and he and Mother are taking it easy. They do a lot of things that they never had time to do before, and so do Martha's people. I have always thought that the relationship between our families was pretty fine, and I can remember through the years of going places together like once ‘we'went to the circus and took a picnic dinner, and things like that. I think we were always very close together and that was probably why Martha and I never thought much about anyone else very seriously. At any rate we were married in the spring of 1933 and we've never been far enough away for a long enough period of time to call any other place home. My brother still lives in Ithaca, too. It was his daughter that got killed on her bicycle a year ago you know. She was Just the same age of Connie and they were great friends. You asked me about my childhood, and I really haven't told you, have I? I don't very much believe there is anything unusual to tell. I must have been the head dope of the two boys, because I'm the school teacher. If I'm.not a dope, at least my daughter thinks I am, and frankly, sometimes I agree with her, but to date, I've not told her so. ”May I ask why she feels that way, Mr. HM.?' Oh surely. It isn't a secret around here, for Connie is so open about it. I am.a dope chiefly because my poor deluded little daughter can't have everything she wants. You see, she wants so many things just now, and uses no reason at all in her demands on her mother and me. I think an old fashioned spanking is in order, but her mother thinks she is too old. ”Do you mind telling me the sort of things she wants so much, can't have?" He almost snorted. Trash, mostly. She wants everything she sees in the line of clothes that is in the store windows, whether or not she needs it. She wants nothing but trash to read and she wants desperately to get out of any work or responsibility. I wonder what to do with her. 577 I never had a sister, so I don't know much about girls maybe. Our friends say the same things about some of their daughters and here we are, faced with going through with the same thing with two more. I thinkzuary is different in her thinking. She is much more thoughtful of her mother right now than Connie is. "What are some of the thin s that you do tOgether as a family, Mr. ELL?" My thought was that perhaps Connie and her father did not have a very close companionship together and that I could recall him.to his childhood by asking the question at that particular time. We read, chiefly. Connie has reached the point where she doesn't like to go with us when we ride or go calling on friends. She's so afraid she'll miss something or seeing some boy hanging around the outside. It seems to me that I didn't hang around porches like that when I was fourteen. I do remember once that I had a new pair of shoes and I decided to show them to a girl down our street, and when I got back home I had than mu of mud and water where I had stopped in a sink hole. It was my first call on a girl and it was the last, until I was about seventeen and I had an unfortunate accident that time, too. That time, it was my shirt. I got so warm from being embarrassed that I took my coat off, knowing that no gentleman would do such a thing. {After I'd had it off for some time, I discovered that the tail was hanging out in back. I'll never forget that one. He laughed heartily and I joined him. 'Did your mother ever saw for you when you were a boy?“ I never knew her to do more than patch and knit and sew a little on aprons and things like that. If she ever sewed for me, I never knew it. She was pretty busy for the four of us. Martha surely wouldn't have time to sew for us and do everything else. I have quite a harem here now with three girls and there's a lot to do. My friends call it HM.'s harem. "Do you remember how you used to dress or how your parents dressed to take you to church or Sunday School?” well, I remember that we went and my brother and I used to pull some rough ones to get out of church. I once accidently poured 578 some melted grease over Bob's head just before we were ready to leave the house and mother never could figure out how the bowl could have tipped over on the shelf above his head. we used to put charcoal black on each other's shirts, too. Bob was a year younger than I, and I must have been to blame for thinking too. Once, when we didn't dare pull another stunt on each other for fear of being caught, we hatched a plan for spoiling father's pants and Bob put glue on the seat of his trousers. That was a little too raw, and we both got whaled that time. ‘We didn't mind Sunday School so much, but we hated the preacher. He was always patting us on the head and saying we were 'nice little men'.that gets me yet. He was always reporting to the folks about us too, and every time we got in trouble for years, he was to blame. I don't remember what we wore, but I remember what we did to what we wore to keep from going. Kids are funny, aren't they? 'Do you feel that your personal appearance is important in your profession, Mr. HM.?' Oh sure. Students are very critical these days, don't you think so? They don't look like anything themselves but just let an instructor fall down on the job and they would soon be giving him a raking over the coals. I feel that it is important to make a good appearance before the public, too. In fact, I think that a good personal appearance is important for all of my family, and I believe that we make a fairly good one, in spite of what Connie says. She is apt to growl about her own lack of clothes, when we think she looks fine. Are all girls like that at fourteen, do you think? She thinks that if I tell her she can't wear certain clothes like shorts down the street or anywhere, that she is not making a good appearance, I guess. I hate the things and I have to have a session with her again now that spring is coming and before we know it, it will be warm weather. It seems to be the thing that I can't get her mother to cooperate on. I don't mind Connie wearing other things so much as I do those shorts and I won't have it. This time I'm.going to make it stick. I even bought her a bike to stop it and she double crossed me. I'll just give the bike to Mary, I guess. ”Will you allow Mary to wear shorts and have the bike both?” I asked. “I'ts different with Mary. She's just a little girl yet, but Connie's all grown up.‘I 579 I could see his point after having seen both girls. "If you dislike the shorts so much, how do you feel about Connie going without hose?I Hose? Don't say hose to Connie. She'd want the money right now this instant if she so much as heard you mention them. I think she's too young to do more than have one pair or two pair for good when she really needs them, like for church. She wants to wear She says all the girls have them to church and to school now. So far, wary has taken care of that, than who have longer dresses. but Connie always comes back with some crack about the baby or the fact that I have to have suits that look pretty good for school. “How often do you buy a new suit, mr. HM.?“ He fiaought for a bit before he spoke. "I would say that I get a new one about every three years and that I keep three in good condition all the time. Two for school and one for good.' "Do you have a favorite color for your suite?” I like brown and Hertha likes blue. I let her win out every once Really I don't care too much. in a while and we buy a blue suit. I guess it is what you get in the habit of buying when you are young. Martha is good at picking things out and I always take her along to see that I pick the right thing, for I don't know one kind of material from another. I pick the way I want it made and she picks the material and we haggle over the color. 9A8 a family, do you have a favorite color?’ No, I think not. Martha runs to blue as you can see from.this room, but she decides all that. I've never heard the girls discuss it more than to say they liked such and such a thing because it was some color they liked at that time. You can never tell what they will like tomorrow, by what they say they like today, you know 0 "How do you feel about the ties and socks you get for gifts?" God forgive me, but I despise them usually. Martha is a good picker, but I like to get my own to match up with my suits and other things. Why a poor unprotected man should be subjected to you 580 having to wear the monstrosities that some people give him is beyond me. Why you should see one of the ties I got this past Christmas. It has ten different colors in it, if it has one, and I told Martha to put it in the box for Europe. Some poor devil may enjoy it and appreciate it more than I do. Some of the outfits the boys wear might accomodate that tie, but none of mine will. ”Your'wife telksme you are planning college for the girls. Do know what will influence your choice of school?” I know that it will be a school near where we are living at that time, when they are ready to go. Connie will be ready to go in three years, so it is likely that she will go to Central or.Alma. She won't be emotionally stable enough to be far away from home unless she changes a gaod deal. I am anxious for her to have some religious contacts because she is so casual about everything, that sometimes we think we have failed her entirely. She doesn't like Sunday School or church very well, she doesn't like her baby sister and she has refused to say Grace at the table since the baby was born. ‘We have always taken turns at it, but just now we're rather avoiding asking Connie or Mary. So I say it, but it is quite obvious in many ways that Connie needs something that she's not getting. It may be that spanking I spoke of. Right now Connie thinks that if her mother can stay at home from church, that she should be allowed too. In fact it is the only time she is at all interested in staying with the baby. When it's time to go to Youth Fellowship at night, she is ready to go, but we discovered the reason for that was that she wanted to skip out. She goes out with other boys and girls to the drug store. 1low that is taboo. I think teen age between thirteen and nineteen are trying years. The girls of fourteen are too young to go out. I'm sure of that. CASE STUDY 24 PROFESSIONAL THE BR---FnMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE SIXTY-FIVE TEE LIOTHLJR, AGE FORTY-FIVE JACQUELINE, AGE FOURTEEN CORRINE, AGE TEN The BR. family live in an old brick house where one side, or wing, is a medical clinic and the doctor's office. The grounds are spacious and charming and the remoteness from town makes it peaceful and quiet. The tall maples and majestic oaks on the lawn seem to protect the house from the glare of sun and the fury of storms., Dr. and Mrs. BR. had graciously agreed to be interviewed, and both girls were quite willing. The only stipulation was that I might find it necessary to call several times since the doctor was a very busy man, and, of course, could not be disturbed during office hours, or at a time when he was getting much needed rest. my first interview was with the doctor, and it took place under rather strange circumstances, and not in his home where it was to have been. During the first week in February, this doctor was called to attend my father who was very ill. As the days went on and it became necessary for some member of the family to be present when the doctor called, I was taking my turn one evening, and since the doctor wished to wait to watch the effect of a certain drug with which he was 582 experimenting, we sat down in amar-by room and began to visit. "Say now,” said Dr. BR., "Why don't we get that interview done right now while I know I won't be called on to do something else. That way we can both kill two birds with one stone.I I was glad he had thought of it and glad to save myself one call. Dr. BR. was a large heavy-set man with partially bald head and keen eagle eyes, which seemed to look straight through one. I asked him to tell me of his birth place and his boyhood, and sat back at ease when he began. I was born in Hanover, Missouri, out where the yellow mud goes over the boot tops every time you walk through it and where the water in every little stream is muddy. At least it was when I was a boy and wanted to fish. You know, when I was the age to put a bent pin on a string? I caught one too, one day that way. I not only caught fish, but pollywogs and frogs. The frogs, I used to eat. Oh, now don't look worried. I only ate the hind legs. My mother died when I was a little tad, but I remember her looking nauseated when I draw: ‘ed those frogs in and out off their legs. She wouldn't cook them for me, but I put butter in the skillet and fried them and ate them anyway. They were the best I've ever tasted, you know. Since then, I've had frag legs in France and Belgium, as well as San Francisco and New York, and none of them could compare with those of my little boy days. We used to fall in that old creek, my brother and I, a dozen times a day and Mother would say, 'Brad, you are the oldest and you must be an example to your brother.’ I never was though, for I pushed him in on purpose and he knew it, but he never dared tell Mother. You see, I didn’t like him to sit on the bank all smug and clean looking as though he might be ready to go to a tea party. I wanted him to be as smudged up as I always was. I hated his clean white blouse and used to put angle worms in his pocket along his handkerchief. He was always wiping his nose and when he'd get a nose full of worms, he didn't like it. He always doubled up and vomited and I could give him treatment. He didn't like that either, and would go squaking to Mother and later to my father that 'Brad had operated on him and injured his stomach.‘ Wonder I hadn't too, for I used to out pretty deep I'm afraid with my wooden knife. ' He paused and I asked, 'Did you know then that you wanted to 583 become a doctor?‘ I think I always knew that. It was just a question of getting other people to know it. After I got out of high school, I con- vinced Father that it was that or nothing, and he gave in. W brother had disappointed him in various ways and he'd decided that he'd better make the most of me while I was in the mood, I guess. I'd never changed my mind, so he had no cause to worry. Well, I ended up being a doctor and here I am. "Please fill in the missing links for me Doctor. You have mentioned France and Belgium so nonchalantly. Were you in service in World War One, and in those places?" I asked. ”Don't look so incredulous. I'm not quite that old you lmow, although I can't fool myself any longer. I'm sixty-five, and admit it these days.’ He drew his hand across. his eyes and for 'the first time I noticed how very tired he looked. He continued. Yes, I was in service as an army surgeon and I saw a lot of countries and a lot of things I'd still rather not talk about. I got out of Medical School at twenty-six and went to John Hopkins. I stayed there until I went into service in 1916. It was during those years before the end of the war, that I, on two very special occasions, ate frog legs. First in Brussels and then later on after the war was over, in Paris. It was in Brussels that I met my wife. She was there with her father and mother. Wealthy French people in Brussels on business connected with art. Mrs. BR.'s father is a noted painter, you know. Well, the medical staff officers were being entertained one evening and there all waiting for me, was a beautiful girl. She was with her parents which made it entirely proper, even for a sheltered French girl. I guess I proceeded to act like the Brad of my boyhood when all the pretty little girls were in sight. I wangled an introduction and found that her father was a noted artist and that they were on important business that would keep them for three more days. The war was over, all but the final shouting, and I was in a mood to be gay and relax a little. In short, I fell in love with an auburn haired French girl of seventeen. Her very distinguished French father was more opposed to me than her tiny, gracious mother, but at the end of three days, I'had persuaded him that I should be allowed to visit his daughter, Yvonne, in their Paris home. 584 He paused with a far-away smile on his face. thd did you?I I questioned. I did. I visited there in the early spring of 1918 and in less than a month, we were married. I brought her back to the states in 1920. After that we went back and I studied in Europe. Then we went back to Missouri and in 1924, we came here and I set up a clinic in the old Catholic Church, but I bought the old red brick home where I am now. I stayed in the church clinic until about ten years ago, and then built the clinic on the house. I guess that's the story. things waning of the not he a boy. M? I realized that he could probably tell me many interesting about the romance with his auburn haired wife, but time was and I knew that when it was time for him to check the action drug, he would feel that he must leave. I asked whether or remembered about going to church or Sunday School when he was He said, dear, did you never hear that I was an agnostic? my father was not interested in church affairs and did not encourage my mother in taking any part in them, nor in allowing my brother or me too much freedom. You see my father had had some pretty bitter experiences as a youth and it made him lose any religion he had. Perhaps I shouldn't say that I'm.agnostic, because I do believe in some things, and I do allow my children to go to Sunday School when they want to. I have a pretty bad name though, and I think you.must have heard something about it. my memories are that after my mother's death, I never did anything like go to church and before that it was only once in a while, like at Thanksgiving or Christmas, when there was a special program. Mother used to sneak us out to something like that once in a great while. I do remember once when we went and there was a pig's tail put on the Christmas tree for me. It was all dressed and tied with a red ribbon, but when my father found out about it he ‘wasn't pleased with any of us. 'Was your father a doctor too?" I asked. My father? No. He had a sixth grade education and my mother not 585 much more than that. But he was a fine craftsman in wood carving. When you are at the house, I'll show you some of his work. He had learned it from.my grandfather. He watched his whole family burn to death.as they were trapped in a house, and he was the only one who survived, for he wasn't in the house at the time. But you asked how much I renunber about the way I dressed to go to church, and I didn't go enough to remember anything about it. The most I remember about the way anyone dressed was the way I hated my brother's clean white blouses which he always managed to keep that way, so that I was the one who was always dirty and the one who got the hide taken off me. My father was a strict disiplinarian and he never overlooked a thing. 'Did your mother used to saw for you or make over clothes for you?” I suppose she might have, but I was too young to remember or know where my clothes came from, and still I should remember when I recall so well about the frogs and operating on my brother. It must be that it didn't make much of an impression on me. I remember that my mother was buried in a black dress though, and that some woman came to the house and fixed it or sewed it or something. “What is your opinion in regard to the so called 'new look' in clothes for women, Doctor BR?‘I Oh, I'm.all for the newest thing in clothes for women no matter what their age. How could I be any other way with a French wife? If the girls take after their mother they'll never be out of style. The girls that are married are none of them up to their mother on dressing. ”How many children are there, Doctor?” He counted them off on his fingers, 'Lois, Nadine, Dick,Lou, Evelyn, Jacqueline and Corrine. Seven of them: .All married now but Jackie and Corrine, and when Corrine's a little older, I'd like one more baby to make eight. Quite a record, eh?‘ ”Doctor, with so many in the family, there must have been quite a few problems, but I'd like especially to know about the clothing problems.” 586 He looked thoughtfully at me before saying, "You know now, I expect there must have been lots of them, but to save me I couldn't tell you what they were or are. You'll have to find that out from my wife, I'm afraid.” 'Do you approve of your wife and daughters wearing slacks, jeans and shorts?‘ I asked. "Not my wife, but my daughters are a different matter. They wear what is required for the occasion as called for. If they need correcting, my wife does it. my wife might wear slacks for a picnic, but that is all, I guess. I put my foot down.” "What do you think in regard to the wearing of hose? Do you have any feeling in the matter?” ”Bare legs go right along with things like shorts in my opinion,‘ he answered. IAll right for little girls, but not for my wife." 'Do you feel in any special way about the wearing of hats by your women?” 'I don't give a damn about hats. Wear 'em.or leave 'em off.” "As a family, are you interested in any special color?" ”No, I think not," he answered. 'Just lots of colors would be a better way of putting it, I think.” "Do you feel that your family can cooperate in any special way in regard to the spending of your income?” He laughed heartily, and said, They know how to spend it all right, but we keep pretty close 587 reign on them. Now that Jackie and Corrine are the only ones at home, they think it should be apple pie for them to have everything they want, and while we could let them.have more than they do, we think it foolish to pamper them.too much. They each get some money each week, and anything beyond that they have to earn. Corrine's quite a baby about doing much work. I expect we may have spoiled here "Will the girls go to college?” He shrugged his broad shoulders, and said, All the others had a crack at it, but Dick and Nadine are the only ones to graduate so far. Lou let us think she was in school all year and then came home and said she'd been married all that time. Her mother told her that nature had a way of telling secrets. 'we ‘were pretty disappointed at first, but we got over it when the baby was born. All the girls have babies now. It's odd that Yvonne was an only child and now, as she says, she's grandmother four times. Doesn't look it, does she? This last was said with a note of pride. ”Will the girls choose any college they wish, or will you and their mother choose for them?” They will definately choose for themselves. That is the only way I'd ever send a child to school, for they wouldn't be happy two minutes if they should be going some place just to please us. I wanted Jacqueline to go to Detroit with me just a few days ago and she said it wasn't any fun to gojust because someone wanted her to. She finally made a bargain with.me and I'm afraid I fell for it. She would go if she could get a new coat at the same time. I really did need her to help me after wm got there and her'mother couldn't very well go right then, so I promised. 'Did you help her choose the coat, Doctor?” No, I'm afraid I just pretended to. The monkey got one all picked out and then paraded around in it knowing darned well that it was pretty slick on her. I fell for that, too. I knew she'wouldn't have any other coat no matter what, but I insisted on trying on at least five others, before I gave in. That's the only protection a man has when he's out shopping with a woman and Jackie's no exception to the rule. 'Do you enjoy shopping with your family?" I asked. 588 Never do it, only when I get caught as I did with Jackie. I'd rather shop for myself and have the fun of making up my mind rather than to pretend to help a woman make up her miEd”when the whole thing is a pretense. Come now, don't you—agree? I laughed at his sharp observation, but said nothing. ”Who do s the buying of clothing for the family?‘' 'Hy wife goes along, but I'm not sure whether she has to pretend like I did with Jackie nor not. I buy my clothes, but I don't pay too much attention to anyone's but mine." ”Do you consider your personal appearance important in your profession, Doctor?” how the Certainly it is. You can talk all you want to about your country doctor. 'Wouldn't you rather have one who looks half way groomed? Or maybe you are like the woman who said the didn't care whether the doctor shaved or not, just as long as he got there when she called. How long can you wear a suit, Doctor, or perhaps I should say, often do you buy a new suit?” I keep about six suits going all the time and if I buy a new one every year and a half, it just about does it. I expect I spend more for clothes than my wife does even if she is French, and they, I believe, are supposed to be noted for their clothes. Yvonne is very conservative, but has excellent taste. 'How do you think your family compares with other families in appearance they make?’ For every day, I'd say just average, but when'we're all set to go out, I'd say we looked, well, to put it rather bluntly, I'd say'we looked better than a lot of them. Yvonne always looks distinguished, and for an old fellow, Idon't look so bad, do I? He was dressed in a gray suit of excellent cut and tailoring. Socks and tie were in perfect accord and altogether, he presented a 589 very pleasing appearance, and one which was distinguished. I promptly complimented him.cn his appearance and said, ”I suppose you picked out that tie you are wearing?” ”That? Sure.” He looked down at the tie which blended so well with his suit. You see, I got over hating clean clothes after I grew up, and in time I think I became quite fond of them. It rests me now to get out of my office and spend an hour just matching up things. 'Who ever said a man couldn't? That's just nonsense. a.man just doesn't get a chance is all. Some woman is always hovering over him. Thank God the French girls were kept in seclusion and not sent out to shop for their father's clothes. ”How about the ties you get for Christmas or your birthday?’ The doctor snorted, saying, Trash, most of 'em, but I don't get many. The kids learned a long time ago, that I'm touchy on the subject of my clothes and they pretty much abstain from such things. I must go and check that blood pressure now, young lady. Say! I like those beads on that black blouse. I've noticed them since we've been talking. I really like them. Is arose as he spoke and walked into the bedroom. At four the following afternoon, I called at the red brick house to interview Mrs. BR. and the two girls. I found the doctor's wife alone. She explained that she had sent Corrine down town to buy groceries and that Jacqueline had come home at noon with the news that she had been given three ninth hours, which meant that she'would not be home before five. “b discussed school affairs for a few minutes, and then I began the interview. I explained what I wished in regard to the background questions, 590 and she began in a brisk tone of voice, but it was rather difficult for me to catch all of the words as her French accent was very pronounced. I was born in Paris, France, and lived there until I married the doctor and came to America. I was a very sheltered child and we had servants for everything, even to bathe me and dress me when I was a big girl yet. I never did anything. Not a finger did I lift, only to study my lectures and lessons with my governess and later with my tutor. It was a very sheltered life I led in those days. Sometimes I get tired baking the health bread the doctor insists on and long for someone to bathe and dress me again. Of course I don't really, you know. I was sent to finishing school there in Paris and I had only been out a little while when I was married. My dear parents are old now but they still live in Paris and we hope soon to see them. I flew over last spring and they promised to come to me when spring comes again. I must not lose my figure before they get here. I did once you know, and had to lose forty pounds before I could visit my people. I could not let them see me anything but slender like I left them, or I would be in disgrace and I made Doctor help me lose the weight. What I did not lose here before I went, I lost after I got there, for they did not have enough food in spite of their money to bw with. Her beautiful eyes clouded and she was silent. At last she said, My mother's beautiful house and her beautiful china do not matter. There was not enough food to put on the plates. She dressed in her lovely things just as she always did, and my father dressed and I dressed for dinner, and got up hungry from the table. I dieted because there was not enough to eat and when I came back here at the end of three months, my best friends did not know me, I was so slim, like I was when I first came. I could wear the clothes my mother had saved from my girlhood. I shall never get fat again. “Did you visit the places where you went as a child, Mrs. BIL?" 'Yes, but it was all so sad to me now. My home had escaped the bombs of the war, but my people had to leave the city for a long time and it did something to them they won't get over.‘I ”Did you go to church as a child, Mrs. BR.? And did you visit that church, too?’ 591 Her eyes clouded over and I was sorry I had asked the question. 'Our church was gone and it was the one where I was married. I was baptized there, too, and it hurt me dreadfully to see it in ruins.” ”Tell me, do you remember how you or your parents dressed to go to church?‘ Oh definitely, I do. we dressed in our Sunday outfits. I, in white and my mother and father in black. I can see my father yet with his Sunday suit of black. The coat was a frock coat and he looked very handsome and dignified. His shirt was so snowy white and his suit so black. He wore a black tie too. All of the well- to-do people dressed that way. The very poor went to another church and used.more colors. I am Catholic you know, and in your churches here of the Catholic faith it is different, but it was that way in our district. my mother always wore a lace veil over her hat and that was black too. I was in white with a white veil. All young girls were in those days. Things have changed in the years since I lived there and my father might wear a gray or a navy blue suit to church now, but when I was little he did not. I do not attend my church now. Things are so different for me even after all these years, and I go sometimes to one and some- times to another through the years and no where do I feel just comfortable, so I stay at home most of the time. ‘We are what you call a heathen family, yes? 'Did your mother sew for you when you were a girl?” She shrugged her pretty shoulders and said, my mother could not sew. But style she knew perfectly and could direct the dressmakers who came to her sewing room. I used to hate the long hours of fitting and pinning, and once I got so dizzy, I fainted. I couldn't sew a stitch when I came to this country, but when the babies began to come, I soon found out that I had to learn or go without. I couldn't even get away from.my babies to do any shopping, sometimes. I learned with a vengence, and I think it was Celeste, our sewing woman at home who helped. She paused and was thinking of old times apparently, for she failed to go on. ”Do you mind telling me more about it?II I asked. She 592 I think it was Celeste who helped me, for I remember how she fitted and pinned and all those things. I can see her yet, adjusting a line in front of a mirror. She was the only one we ever had who would let me watch in a mirror. The rest were all cross and bossy, except when my father stepped into the room and then they were all courtesy to me. 'Did you like the things the sewing women made for you?” There was never any question of that. No, I don't think she ever made anything over for me, for my mother gave worn things to the poor and often to the sewing woman to take home with her. I make over though, and have for a good twenty years. You see, I learned to bake the bread the doctor liked to have us eat, and I learned to cook and to sew, and I had never lifted.my hand to work before in my whole seventeen years. It has never been regretted, but some- times, like during the war, I have longed for my Paris. It is not so difficult to go there now, and I shall go again. 'Do you approve of slacks and shorts for girls and women?" shook her head and said, Not so very much, for I cannot forget my strict childhood. I do wear slacks once in a very great while on a picnic, but Doctor does not like me to and I really do not care for them. The girls have worn them all, but we have a rule and enforce it. Nothing but dresses are to be worn on the street. It's a simple rule and it Works 0 ”How do you feel about the wearing of hose and hats? So many girls and women go without either these days.” Hats are not known to our girls, except the older ones. Jackie and Corrine don't possess one. Hose are not for Corinne, but they are for Jackie when she is dressed up. That's all any mother should expect, isn't it? Our girls have always been interested in lots of things to wear, but not hate. Things have always been different in this country, and hats are most important in France. “What do you think of the 'new look?' Has it affected your family?“ I think all of us have always liked what you call 'the latest," to wear and Jackie is just like the other girls were at her age. 593 Corrine doesn't bother much yet, but she will. I want them to be interested in the latest lock, whatever it is. Doctor is interested in how“we look. He always comments on the way all of US 100ke ”Who does the buying of the family clothing?‘ Without hesitation, she said, Doctor does his own. He prefers to. I buy for myself and the girls. They are too young to choose wisely yet, I think. They both have some money. Corrine has fifty cents and Jacqueline has a dollar a month and they are permitted to do as they like with that and no accounts, but they are too young to handle buying yet. First they must learn the value and then is time to buy. I will guide them to know how to spend, then later they will be able to take over for themselves. They trust my judgment on this because I have explained it to them. They have a great respect for their grandmamma and grandpapa even if they have only seen them twice and they know how they must learn first and do later. If they wait to buy it will be a pleasure, for the mistakes will not be happening so much. I have found it 80. Perhaps I want to keep them my babies with all the others married. The French are a frugal people even when it is not necessary, and we are happier when we are getting our money's worth. "Do the children enjoy having you have a new outfit of clothing?" Oh yes, yes. They like to think I am young and not ugly you know. They chatter about like a magpie when I make the splurge and I think they are sincere in liking me to get the new thing. Of course, they like new things, too. ”Does it cost as much to dress the children as it does to dress you or your husband?" Mrs. BR. shook her head and said, I'It cost most to dress Doctor and me. That is the way it should be. Next is Jackie and last Corrine, and that's the way it should be, too.” "Do you and the doctor think alike about the matter of the family Clothing, 1511.30 BRe?" 594 She shrugred expressive shoulders. "He thinks that I should not kill myself with making over and sewing, but it is fun to see what can be done even when it is not necessary. I think the more un- necesary, the more fun it is.” ”How do you feel that style for your family can best be achieved?” Oh, all sorts of ways. The girls, especially Jackie, comes home from school and says they have to have a dress just like so and so, and describes it to me. To Jackie, it is in style if it's just like some of her friends, you know. I shop and I study magazines like the Vogue, most of all. "What are some of the thin 8 you do together as a family?” As a whole family? 'Well, we eat our evening meal together, unless Doctor gets a call. we are never sure of doing anything in a doctor's family. we plan to go on a picnic. Doctor gets a call. we plan to go on a trip. Someone has a baby. we plan to go for a drive. Someone has a heart attack and so it goes. fib, the doctor and I. ‘o to a late movie and that is about all. The things at school I go to, but Doctor must stay by the telephone. But he and I are going to Florida in a few weeks. 'I have forgotten to ask you what your family color is. Is there one color that you like particularly, as a family group?” She thought for a moment and said, "No, I think not, but black is not a favorite with me, and I wear it because Doctor says it becomes me.” It was getting time for little Corrine to come back from the errand hermother had sent her on, and after we had talked a lit 10 more, she came. Very definitely, Corrine showed her French ancestry. The shape of her head, her hands and her mannerisms were all different. 595 In beauty she could not hold a candle to her lovely mother. Her voice was rather high pitched and had the inkling of a whine. Her thin little body seemed tense and antajonistic, although I did not find her to be difficult. She was a curious little miss and rather pert, much to the embarrassment of Mrs. BR. The mother left me alone with her little daughter, and I was ready to begin the questions. When Corrine was asked which one of her outfits that she wore, she liked the best, her answer was, ”I like my red velveteen dress if you want to know. It makes me look exactly as my mother looked when she was a girl. I know because I saw her in her picture in a dress. I'm the only one that looks like my mother.” I had failed to recognize the resemblence and could not see it now. "So you like red better than any other color, Corrine?” Promptly, she said, "Red and blue. Red is all right, but it is the dress that makes me look like mother. my mother likes pink on me. Pink's all right with.me.' 'Do you help Mother choose your clothes, Corrine?" She shook her head and said nothing. ”Do you and Jackie wear each other's clothes?" 'I'd catch it if I did. Anyway, I'm bigger than she is and I'm glad of it.' It was easy to see that she was taller than her fourteen year old sister. ”I think it might make Jackie mad at me, but I don't want her clothes to wear anyway. I'd rather have Janet G.'s. They're slick.‘ 596 ”How do you mean, Corrine?” "Just slick,’ was the only answer I could get. "Which would you rather get for Christmas or your birthday, Corrine, a dress, a doll, toys or new clothes?” I don't play with dolls anymore. I stopped when I was ten and I'm not going back to it even if I'm too young to stop. *hat's what my mother says.‘ I'd rather have new clothes, but I don't know what. My mother knows, though, and she'll make it for me too, if I tell. her what it is I want. She likes to. my grandmother won't though, for she's too far away. "Do you like to have new clothes made for you, Corrine?” She nodded her flaxon head vigorously. 'We all have new clothes made but Daddy, and he says he can't see how I wear them all out so fast. I'm going to buy all my school things ready made from.the store, but I'm going to make all my dresses like my mother does.” 'Why are you, Corrine?" Surprising to me was the answer, "To be smart like my mother. Daddy says only one in a million could do what my mother does. She's smart.” ”Do you earn any money Corrine?” "A little, but it's not much fun. Every time I do, Daddy makes me put it in a book and tell him what I do with it. It's too much trouble to do all that.‘ Jacqueline, the older girl had come in and the moment the younger one saw her, she got up without ceremony and left without excuse. Since I did not wish to question her further, it did not matter. 597 Her sister was slightly embarrassed and apologized for her. She sat down after her mother had come in and greeted her. Her tiny body was childish looking in the extreme and it would have easy to have taken her for a child of eleven. I asked about her views on the sharing of the family income, and she said, 'We aren't allowed to help decide anything like that. That is just for my father and mother and mostly my father, I think. I'm satisfied with the money I get, for my father and mother see to everything I need, only sometimes my mother won't let me have something I want, and then I don't like it. ”If your mother has refused, do you ask your father?” I did once, but I don't anymore. 'When he found out I'd tricked him he was awful. My mother usually gets the things I want and I don't have to ask. my mother knows what I like and what I have to have and she gets the cloth, but sometimes I help pick it out. I don't care though. my mother's French you know, and she knows about what to wear. If she didn't know, I wouldn't like her to get my patterns for me, but they always turn out just what I Want 0 ”What do you like best of all the things you have to wear, Jacqueline?‘ "My ballerina skirt and my white blouse is best and.it makes :me look like I'm older, even if I am so short and so little.” ”Do you mend and press your own clothes, Jackie?” She looked guilty and said, ”No.” IAfter a moment she added, ”I would, but my mother does it all. She didn't have to learn it at nw'age, she says.” "Do you like your mother to sew for you?" Her expressive 598 eyes widened in surprise. Of course I do. She's a lot better than Mrs. B. And besides, it is expected of her. Daddy says that he wouldn't think any man could afford to buy everything ready made these days. My mother can really make me something, too. The voice and facial expression were more eloquent than the words, and indicated that she held her mother's sewing for her in very high regard and that she took pride in it. "Whose Opinion do you value most in regard to your personal appearance, Jacqueline?” "my mother's. She knows.” It was a flat definite statement and one not to be argued. ”Do you like to receive clothing for your birthday or for Christmas?” Her eyes lighted for a moment and she said, Yes, I like it all but the exchanging. I don't know why people don't get the right size when they get a present. my sisters all get things too big, for they've forgotten how little I am, or they get it the other way around. “How would you classify your own personal appearance, Jacqueline?” After a little thought, she said, with modesty, ”I think I'm pretty nice looking when I'm all ready to go somewhere, but I think I look pretty awful sometimes, too.” ”What are some of the things you do for amusement?” I go for walks with Billy Mason. That is the only thing I'm allowed to do with him. I do it after school almost every night. I go to the show once a week and see the serial, and that's because I like Dick Tracy pictures. I read a whole lot. I like to read Daddy's magazines and Mamma has a fit and says that I'm a funny girl to like that stuff, but I don't care. 599 ”What other magazines do you read?" The girl Scout one is all. I'm a Scout, but I guess I can't go anymore for my father says from what he hears they've turned it into a club to put our hair in pin curls in, and he won't believe any different. He is right though and we do do that. I belong to the Latin club. I go to Sunday school once in a while and I dance at noon in the gwm. ”Do you dress in any special way for any of these things, Jacqueline?" ”Just for skating. I forgot that. I wear my full red corduroy skirt because it goes so good with.my white shoe skates.” ”Do you have a favorite movie star?” She shook her head and said, ”I always think I'm going to, but I never can decide.” ”What do you enjoy most at home Jacqueline?” Best of all? I like my mother to come from a good French family and be as pretty as she is. I don't like Corrine to be so horrid though. She's always saying that she looks just like my mother. She doesn't though. She pretends a lot. Daddy says that I'm.the one who looks the most like her. I like my father to be a doctor too, but I don't like it when the telephone rings in the night. ., _ i . -, ‘2' e: H? 4's was: - -. ' '. J Y -..yf;:i\ ' - K ._.:. ' 3‘" ' ‘- 0: 1._.dJ-m em .2 1’1. ,. w , “SIC!” I .81 ’If? ‘01“ C _ m: mm sprints , g. -,- g. . . u z: tb‘rzeJ'e'Iq 0:18 "3 I‘.’ 0 . I -a‘.‘- ,d' .181: QXIId‘ orgy"? «I»? serfs 3'1 " :- CASE STUDY 25 PROFESSIONAL THE JR---FAMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE FORTY-SIX THE MOTHER, AGE FORTY-TWO MARt‘JARET, AGE FOURTEEN JOHN , AGE ELEVEN The JR. family were interviewed in rather a piecemeal manner as several attempts had been made to secure this interview, and each had failed as the mother was in another city of some distance taking care of her mother, who was very ill. It was decided, at length, to talk with the other members of the family and wait for the mother. As it happened, Mr. JR. was at home alone when I went back to mks the arrangements to interview the children and him, if I could get permission. The children were not at home. We sat down in the living room together and I found Mr. JR. to be a kindly, courteous man who was most willing to cooperate with me. The background questions were presented and he leaned his head back against the chair in which he sat. His eyes closed for a few seconds and he seemed in rather deep thought. I was glad of the opportunity to sit quietly and wait until he was quite readyto speak. I was born in the country near Jackson, Michigan, and I was just a little boy when I remember hearing my father tell about how he had been brought up in the woods around there. I guess there was nothing but trees around and I used to listen spellbound while he told about the wildcats and the bear. I remember one story that CASE STUDY 25 PROFESS IO‘IIAL THE JR---PAMILY CONSISTS OF: THE FATHER, AGE FORTY-SII THE MOTHER, AGE FORTY-‘I‘WO LEI-.RUARET, AGE FOURTEEN JOHN, AGE ELEVEN The JR. family were interviewed in rather a piecemeal manner as several attempts had been made to secure this interview, and each had failed as the mother was in another city of some distance taking care of her mother, who was very ill. It was decided, at length, to talk with the other members of the family and wait for the mother. As it happened, Mr. JR. was at home alone when I went back to mks the arrangements to interview the children and him, if I could get permission. The children were not at home. We sat down in the living room together and 1 found Mr. JR. to be a kindly, courteous man who was most willing to cooperate with me. The background questions were presented and he leaned his head back against the chair in which he sat. His eyes closed for a few seconds and he seemed in rather deep thought. I was glad of the opportunity to sit quietly and wait until he was quite readyto speak. I was born in the country near Jackson, Michigan, and I was just a little boy when I remember hearing my father tell about how he had been brought up in the woods around there. I guess there was nothing but trees around and I used to listen spellbound while he told about the wildcats and the bear. I remember one story that L P ', ‘51 3.1: "‘MB ”1:1"- I. “may L' .. l. .' u YJZ'KAZ-m' mamas - ' . 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As father told the story, I could always hear the hog squeal and see him squirm as the bear carried him in his arms and walked on his hind feet. Then there was the story about the wildcat that stalked him one night after dark when he had walked six miles through the woods to pay the taxes. He had to walk for some reason about the trail being a short cut through the woods and there wasn't a path for a horse. He was all right going, because it wasn't dark, but on the way home, it got so dark that he couldn't see very far ahead of him and all of a sudden he saw a flash of light along the trail and got suspicious. Every little while he saw it and it finally got so close that all he could do was begin to run. When he did that, the light moved faster too, and when suddenly he got out into a patch of open, he could see that it was a huge cat stalking. He said he was so frightened that he couldn't move and when he tried to run, his feet stuck right there in the path. I always shivered when he told that,so he told it to me often. He still tells it once in a 'while. He says that when he got so he could move that he ran so fast that.the oat must have been scared, for it skulked off into the woods without attacking him at all. He was pretty glad to get home, I guess. There were plenty of other things that my father tells that are of interest. He helped haul and shape the first timber thatnwent into the old Jackson prison, you know. He said they went miles over corduroy roads that were sinking right down into the swamp while they were trying to get over them. I surely have a great respect for those old tree logers. He mused and was silent and I waited hoping to hear more of the old days of wild cats and sinking swamp roads. ”It would be interesting to know how the people dressed for such rigorous work in those days, Mr. JR.” I said. ”I realize that it was all a long time ago. 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Do you remember how used to dress to go to school? If not to school, then how about church or Sunday School?” You I can certainly remember some of the things I used to wear to school, Mrs. King. For instance, the time I was punished for drowning the ducks...I held them under water until they died, you see. That time I had to wear a ribbon tied on my blouse and it's no fun to wear a tie like a girl. Mother had tied it in a bow and I could never for the life of me see what the punishment had to do with the crime. I needed a spanking and I was humiliated. As far as my clothes went, I don't remember anything apecial about them. I dressed somewhat like the others, I suppose. I could never see much sense in people making a fuss about what they were, but it's different here at our house. Margaret and John seem to think a lot more about clothes than they should. Margaret is always talking about how she's held down because of being a minister's daughter. I doubt that she is though, for her mother is quite a lot that way. I leave all that to my wife and she takes care of it pretty much. 'About the clothes you were to church or Sunday SchOOI, Mr. JR. haven't told.me about that yet. Do you remember?” No, I can't seen to remember anything special. As I got older and decided to become a minister and went to Seminary, I just naturally came to wear black:more, I guess. Nellie says it's a.morbid idea and I can't rea 1y tell you why I think black is a more becoming color for a minister and his wife. It just seems so to me. I know my father and mother never felt that way and.my father wasn't a minister, so I didn't get it from.them. Nellie says it's just stuffiness in me and I expect she's right, but that is the way it is. we went to church only once in a while when I was a boy, and ‘21“ 0" “if? 1015' “I .5‘1'ow a u '1' index,“ -797; at o? . '31; intone} ' 'f. o r" germ ‘ I OH (5‘00“ 0'ka ‘Jr I w h E $5310 ’.: . '. '. .“ISJ‘H‘Crfi vegan” .. '\:1.'£".'l;“l‘:':‘r 91'7". _ " 7. ‘ .5 i"::'fl': "In ’ .t‘\*BL1!hI“_. (it.‘): é‘lfi';f:.‘ r " .- .rLs-ut I ‘3 .. .- :nI'IC'”: e1" .3 cf 10; £6 Stunt I vzvr "NC 1 won}! I. .ow ..7 a. 321%,?! :J'eft, 31.03%: 3):: 153,5 if}! P s'nam' 1M+JL ; has me .nn'J die? 1emg' (taut 11"}: rgps’ 1H4: cow's ‘rt’eegg .. mt was alsrpfidbd. a: a: 1's. .a mega;- ~ 4‘ ? tap and a 3’ EM 912mm a at some gimp ' ‘T ‘r 3-... .'~:~31/"’I {SJ}. ' ,f’; .. 7.. J J . _ 603 Father says it certainly wasn't because he forced me, that I took up the ministry. Sometimes, I think I might have made a better factory worker. Sometimes I think that I fail with our children because they aren't particularly anxious to go to church and it bothers me. Then I stop and remember that I didn't have to go every Sunday and I feel better about it. The trouble is that people expect our children to be model children and be in church, whether theirs are or not. Don't you think that is true? I nodded, and asked whether or not he hoped to have his son follow in his footsteps and be a minister. "01-," I asked, 'Don't you have plans to send the children to college?” Mr. JR. looked at me in surprise and with raised brows. Of course they'll go to college, and I hope to a good respectable place where they can lead decent lives and become good citizens. Of course, I have hopes that John will want to be a minister, but I'm afraid right now that he doesn't show much inclination for anything but baseball and food. He's been wanting to go to the movies, but they're not allowed to go except to some special shows. I let him see a dog picture last week and some of the ones like that, that they can both attend. It's a pretty rough thing on Margaret to have to be supervised as to what she can see when her chums can go any time they wish apparently, but I'm.pretty firm about it and tell her that when she gets to college, she will be old enough and wise enourh to choose for herself. We'd like a college like Taylor University for them. At least I would. ”Do you give the children an allowance, Mr. JR.?' Quickly, he said, Oh, I leave all of that to my'wife. She takes care of all our finances. I think she does. At least I hear the children nagging at her every once in a while about giving them more. You see, Ifm out on the road a lot and going from place to place and she's at home with than more. "Will you tell me what you think of the 'new look' or new style in the clothing of women and girls?" Oh, naturally there are some things in the style of clothing, especially women's that I don't care for, not because I'm a minister, but because I like to see women what I call modestly ;, «ed-l ad [OW 2. H? wit 0 ° ,.' .1. WA] 010“ ”fit. *5. .-’ ' “I. “'3‘?- '1‘ .'.!"o:.‘.'l but" ‘ Q S.‘?! ban. -41 :UdOIq g 42;... 4w"; i ed 03" :5}- ’;-‘. .-. l " ‘0‘- ' 3‘14: 8 13:: :78» " 15‘ b . (‘u- n: mt: . r ”2331‘” '11:} 1'38 . V s... ' D' ‘ .r‘Qh ‘4“ Q o. C‘ _ Jiv'A km 1% ”If!” B” - r" «:f, not; ,nc':‘2 L O b l ..v at} ‘.n told: U HO" dwmé ' B. 4' . ' "’31-’18‘ bu ‘ .‘ 5:)..‘1‘5 P 2.1: a} 233"“ sac 3:115:99 '3‘?!“ ' I“ _,3 15“; 3'10- (0:130 :‘UCb ; 'Elhmmwma‘” 1;. I. '1 u‘- ' f " V . t 604 dressed. I like to see women look charming and dignified, usually girls charming, fresh and girlish, and as for tiny tots, warmly enough, cool enough, cute and sensibly dressed. .All these ideas can be combined and my wife does it. I do honestly think that some of the clothing worn by girls and women now-a-days accounts for some of the promiscuisness between the sexes. It seems to mm that there is an atmosphere of freeness and vulgarily noticeable between young people, that I have never known of before, and I haven't been any Saint myself. Margaret came home from school last week repeating to her mother a vulgar story with many crude and unseemly words in it, which one of the girls was telling the group. This girl, one of my congregation, had not failed to make use of oaths and other progane language. It seems to me that it is a lawless age that we are in, and that some of it shows up when women and girls wear sun suits and shorts and halters on the street and go wifihout hose. Shorts are alright for sports. Margaret wears them, but of course only after school. Short skirts are more sensible than long ones trailing in the dirt, but I do think they are neater below the knees. I'd like to know why fashion could not decree a standard length and not keep changing every three years. Men's clothing is not like that. As for the swimming suits, most of they allow greater freedom, making for better swimmers,‘but I wonder if it wouldn't be just as well or better, if the girls didn't swim.in groups together, and the boys in groups together. I don't like the idea of a boy and a girl going swimming alone, perhaps it is because of the new style suits. But there I go, off on the morals angle again. NOW'some sports in high school or college really need shorts or slacks, or what they call jeans, and are much more sensible too. my wife says they are just fine for house cleaning too, and I agree with her. Also for gardening. ”When your children go to college, Mr. JR., do you plan to have then earn any part of the money for their clothing?” Yes, I certainly do. In fact, I plan that they shall work summers and earn all of their clothing for the year, and I hope the college they attend will not be too demanding in the matter of expensive clothing, but I do think it is nice if one's work does not interfere, to dress for dinner. Also to attend a formal party occasionally. At.Albion I'm.not sure, but at Taylor they do not dance, but they do have formal dinners, banquets and receptions, for which I should think they would.need formal attire. 'When I was in college, most of the time I had to rent a tuxedo, but I want John to have one of his own at the time of his life when he needs it most, in college. Of {it‘tmw-‘fl' . ‘.‘.'.1"I' has -- 3;, . " I H *' .‘uxi‘. f-KUO'. 3 . - :‘z'fit.’ 9’31! m w; .. 3t. £?f(of _ . in (mi: 81'!!!“ ' '314480‘6" . ’ ' '. ' r‘ ' MM" .0“ - - '. 3r 31$“. ' ‘ .' ' .:;"; 'L‘::’ 03 J ' ' ' .31 at :~ go one {L3 . t .".-"t’..’1l3d30 ' :3srwf mm 100' .., -. viz-T .eiodg . we: w _ ; Hanoi." . ' . 3; ’o'if "Ol.d-? ‘;:;.,~e;‘¢.-‘A ' . {‘0 a a' - " , . ' ' , .“.C Li. .- u . I‘l' ‘.L V{$ .kogu” . . '— . . , 4' -’_ a. . ‘ . - ' W t O J" .1. ..t'Id 4.8 ma‘ 7 ‘1‘);‘1‘ . . A.” .' v ' . . 2'": « ‘rm rural.“ if 3' If at. , , ' ’ "ire tow . an - r , O O c l .’ "Ltd 12'} ,‘r-m'm ad: , L' :z'}; 1.2M" 15 2 5 L .-'_ - "r I": .11. y,“ ,i A,” .3 3...]. 1 ;- ,4- .r f, ’deIO M J 7-,? -. ' ‘._, fiJf-f“ ' . . 4:....f“..'°78. FT." ed 3” or :é'vn; s’rx f "' 753": sf; 1‘: 1335.4, .. 3. , , r "C" I'LL}, '7'“ H ,.‘..x gem“? 8.3:! ,"c1:3}: ‘(', o: 'je-w. whip .M :‘r:.c 1*“, "’ Much; - .ffi-‘.w‘ 10‘; men .1 CM 3'3. tarpnsd "£16.31! (1: . 62¢”! 39:10:»nimI 3.6.1 .'~+‘1Im'301§ 31,; 4 2r..- on: 0 ed at Met. :.m I :'-.a=' ,0!“ :w: r #:m 1",, " .relloe r1 $312!,» the» 1 es". and}. 03:1 eh‘. ‘ o a. . C Q -‘\ 4 ,- -‘ I v.12; :5 J - I. j" ' r i I‘ for 605 It almost goes without saying that Margaret will have several formals. However, she can make them herself and they will both have to earn what they need and want in the line of clothing. It will be all I can do to furnish the tuition money. Minister's salaries in medium sized towns are not large, and I don't want Mrs. JR. to work, as so many women do to help put the children through college. She is needed at home and to help with the work of the church. Right now, our children earn enough to buy a few extras, but of course for the school mixers they don't dress up much I guess, skirts and sweaters and common clothes. ‘we never make any effort to help them get anything new for school functions. Of course John doesn't go to high school yet and Margaret went to the J-HoP last fall. She earned the money for her dress by baby sitting, I think, and her mother helped her make it. ”How do you feel about rewarding a child by buying a new garment some accomplishment?” I guess it would perhaps be better not to mix clothing and rewards or punishment. 'Wbuldn't it be somewhat like getting revenge, or hiring? I believe clothing is like food. Perhaps we really are what we eat and wear! ”Mr. JR., I do not need to ask you, a minister of the Presbyterian Church, about attendance. Of course all of your family undoubtedly attend both church and Sunday School regularly?” Yes, of course, all of us go unless illness or some emergency prevents, and the young people all go to youth meetings of the church and district. ‘we always went as a family after we moved where there was a church and liked to go. Perhaps because there were so few places to see people. my father and mother, however, were religious people and we never thought of doing any other way. It was a habit we were born with I guess. 'How do you feel about new clothes to be worn to church for Easter?” I asked. mr. JR. answered, 'I don't think new or old clothes have any- significance in church on Easter or any other day. Church is no fashion parade. Our family dresses in an average manner for church, always.” for 605 It almost goes without saying that Margaret will have several formals. However, she can make them herself and they will both have to earn what they need and want in the line of clothing. It will be all I can do to furnish the tuition money. Minister's salaries in medium sized towns are not large, and I don't want Mrs. JR. to work, as so many women do to help put the children through college. She is needed at home and to help with the work of the church. Right now, our children earn enough to buy a few extras, but of course for the school mixers they don't dress up much I guess, skirts and sweaters and common clothes. We never make any effort to help them get anything new for school functions. Of course John doesn't go to high school yet and Margaret went to the J-H0p last fall. She earned the money for her dress by baby sitting, I think, and her mother helped her make it. “How do you feel about rewarding a child by buying a new garment some accomplishment?“ I guess it would perhaps be better not to mix clothing and rewards or punishment. Wouldn't it be somewhat like getting revenge, or hiring? I believe clothing is like food. Perhaps we really are what we eat and wear! ”Mr. J'R., I do not need to ask you, a minister of the Presbyterian Church, about attendance. Of course all of your family undoubtedly attend both church and Sunday School regularly?” Yes, of course, all of us go unless illness or some emergency prevents, and the young peeple all go to youth meetings of the church and district. We always went as a family after we moved where there was a church and liked to go. Perhaps because there were so few places to see people. My father and mother, however, were religious people and we never thought of doing any other way. It was a habit we were born with I guess. ”How do you feel about new clothes to be worn to church for Easter?” I asked. Mr. JR. answered, ‘I don't think new or old clothes have any significance in church on Easter or any other day. Church is no fashion Parade. Our family dresses in an average manner for church, always.“ am“ 114-: £710 ' I -’ i w 3MB}! . .. ,- ‘ - ‘ g “I. mu'}. 03'. - . ~ 31%;. beak!- cw '12M 08 _ J., . .1171: '-.1‘ ti o _. -( - , - ' i .vrtm 'J'. as" 7 . ' _ .- x.» 10‘} M, .. ‘If-"v”. b!!! I: ' { O ‘1 .-m 1 1 ."_' FIE?" I .. . U.‘ 083 “1". “A!" $9) :23. o H {I g ; 'c 'ufs . , . . a: ; : . z ‘c aqua: . r: '.l( -u “i: .1 . + .Lthr . . IEr r, . . .1 :. ii! 3," “muscle 0- ; -"’ u. v; . .' f -i.".' ()1 2.3! 'to xt.‘ - 3*. ....-.~ --‘~ g. . : .(- a; a". 1L3 extent! ‘3 ," . . . . g _. g ,. - ;.{:’-3W BYE‘Vffl 0' «0’ ' " .‘-“."”.‘§ 7 - 1 . €315" "'n: : .(.-t r‘_, fr~'}[ b :8 -"- ‘ ‘w ' .elqoc q sea can“ f .. - , r ' r k» r, ,. I , . . k .2913; w, t, :.‘C; .— 5;, up: comm ow but? 0' . “39:1“ ‘" ".‘i‘/.‘ {new 0':th of ~ 0 . ‘5"! 'zh‘} Merino:- (J ”1070' ed w“ a! - 'it’tuf‘ I'M: 31mg ‘- a . I c' « g . I D ' ‘ f t, ‘ . .1 (‘1‘; u. . ' ‘1’). ' .I‘r ”:91?! 0’53!!! is,it; :éxo '2'.‘ "‘ 1 1:11.11» " ”h. t”? '~ ’0 A“ - ' H r' 'l-u‘ _ ' newts}. on cg 7‘,“ :3; .13}: 1mm Wu: to £9634 :i' ‘3; la. y.- . "C" r". tri’. . J " 1 10mm- egmeva no sites J’ O "r ‘. ‘;:,:' Q 606 'Now Mr. JR., if you can remember, will you please tell me how your parents dressed when they went to church?” Oh, I don't remember too much about it. my mother had a black bear skin coat that I can remember seeing her wear. Also a waist with mutton leg sleeves which was blue and very long. She made it over for my sister when she was small. It had a lace collar, I know. I guess Father had a shiny black suit he were for Sunday. I can never remember him having but one good suit. I guess that was his wedding suit. "Did your father say Grace when you were a child?’ 'Yes, always! .A long one too, to what I say now.” 'Who prepares the Sunday dinner after church?” Oh Nellie and Margaret do it, but there isn't too much to do. Most of it is done Saturday night. John often helps too and dries dishes. I never help, but I have two charges, one here and two hours later, one at Emerson, five miles in the country. So I am.busy Sundays, and tired. No, I guess the women folks don't change their clothes to get dinner. If they go to rest, they do though. At this point, the boy John came in and as I was really finished with.Mr. JR., I was happy I could new interview John, who was eleven. His father helped.me by saying, 'John, if you have a few minutes to spare, would you like to answer a few questions for Mrs. King? She will keep all of our family secrets and we do want to help her.” ”Okay," answered the boy, 'What shall I tell you, Hrs. King.” ”How do you get your spending money John?“ I have a paper route and I earn most of my clothes besides what I spend. I don't really spend much though. I do like to save some to put in.my savings account. I guess I buy a lot of gum, but the dentist says it's hurting my teeth, so guess I won't buy so much. No, my folks never take any of my money, but I leaned Margaret almost two dollars last week. I hope she pays me back just as soon as she stays'with.Alice C.'s kids. I don't need it but I 'ant its vv— —————— - Ivsymfi'v 'W‘ )— {- O new use 1‘:- . .«'~' (6:13.. ‘6!” q . ' c. s: 1“."’.'!' 003’ . ‘ (.1'3' '. #130. I . ' '. I'l'f .' 'M’I‘JJ “M (if , 0" ”-3 3 [tr ”“2 it} “' W ' .‘ w ,- - .44 ¢ : . _ ,. IT a. if! 0 . c 1.7 " I > I ’ ‘ ‘ l . 0'" " f t ' ” s L ‘ - ‘ 2 ' ' ' ‘ _' . f . t a V ‘ J7" ‘8 2 ~ .4 P .3: P. . C P ’ .A -" :1 ‘ . . I' . 7‘ 1 . l , t d o ‘1 .' | \ " a ‘ ‘ ; 721* , :~;;v"' y-m': a ’I‘Wifli0 03?? v. s. 9.".- ' . . 2.. ' '. .1210» if. .5. .fz.1'3"f15 1%. x . t ' vs " :1 3:12” svbisfic‘ sqiioio I}?! 'To'd'wr. :31)"; T 'r-“ban em: 0% 614‘}. 01; I .ri:mr- 3 1:177:37 111...", "Ltd ,mr: 10 do! :4 {mi 1' (new, L amt-"mus ~;:v' 0 :me I ege9;, on stars: nut aw! s'_ rower I dud' genes! 7: i0 "1'0 ezii'? ”Wit use: an: s'gaq en‘s aqor‘. I .2Lcrw feel s‘xfi'..[:f',f .91 bass MM 1 .étu e'. > 003%. :me «1 s t. . c 1 J 607 "Do you help buy your own clothes, John?” I asked. Yes, I go along with Mother to get them fitted on me, but I don't care much which ones I buy. I like my high tops. Jargaret, mostly, buys her own, but she's a girl. I like to play baseball now. I want a new mitt. Guess that isn't clothes exactly, but I'd rather have it. "Well John, you don't seem to have many clothing problems. Do you like to spend your own money foryour clothes?‘ ”Yes, I see so. I want a pair of rabbits too, and I want 8“ to raise some baby rabbits.‘ ‘When you do go shopping with your mother, do you buy a suit, tie and hat all at once to match? Or don't you like to wear hate?” I questioned. Oh, I don't like to wear hats, just a baseball cap mostly. And my mother buys what she thinks I need at the time, not especially everything to match. She makes-most of my shirts and I only wear ties with them on Sunday to go to church. I like all colors in ties. They are just like my father's only shorter and he wears mostly dark ones. "What kind of clothes do you like to wear best, John, jeans and a sweater or a suit and be all dressed up?‘ Oh, I don't like to dress up much. I like to just wear sweaters and jeans to school and when it's warm.just a sport shirt or some- thing cooler. I dress up for Sunday, but when I play baseball or something after church, I change into my old clothes again. I have a new top coat for cold weather I wear for good, but wear a plaid jacket to school. In the summer time I don't wear any coat at 1110 I continued by asking, 'I suppose as you are eleven years old, you have worn long pants for a long time?” 'Ever since I can remember I have, and all the boys I know have too.” I- ,r a": s .Hfld seem? 0.3 1“} “en’t , ( ' : ° *v coda ‘ ' ' a“. :.z 0:. ., ' If ‘- : ., ..:; “23's.: '15“ w .- , . ;2:u:r: edsd’p - " ' - 'r 4mm 9 e .4503 2 . , w c; scuba”: ..'-,. if ‘z "a: MRI ‘1 f "d" ' .' ‘ .- s . 5,. .- f t ,if’ ‘. ‘1 f. "Lt: ,1.’C\; Cf? actual? ' .5 .. .U'» 30.; {4' a 3‘91}- mac's {is edbfl; lit"? in cm in 3301!) “If. wet-am 56.: a -- "r 1.: ,“.PZ‘H.‘II,’ ’10? cu , T dries»: unifies . 1c ("Iii ""9431! l ,.‘£:1Wér’ P 1:39)": .“I‘c’ .I"('c "7" 22"“ .. "Tlliflfiv LIE!) MW :fwcu jug: ' :93. shy-t . L mfio‘ 'iecmxa mi? .11 .‘o ._f , :19"??? . o :4 -, ‘51:. mean; newbie aim 1.505: as eaoqqm; Iu MI! v .f .. '.,'='"~ ”*mssnofs'loi" .Ql‘;( fil: "L". 'L.‘J2'-. -s. 608 "Which one of your mother's dresses do you like to have her wear John?‘ ”Oh, the one with the silver things on it. I guess I like it because it's blue and has those silver things on it. ' "As long as you like blue so well, do you like to have your pajamas to be blue too, or do you wear ni htshirts?” John answered, ”Oh heck, I don't care what color those are. I don't even wear the top to my pajamas unless my mother makes me. I never had a nightshirt though.” I could see that they boy was getting restless now and anxious to es away playing, and so finished with this question, 'I suppose now that haircuts are so expensive, that you don't have it cut any oftener than you have to. Do you pay for them yourself?” "No, I don't like to sit still that long. I have it out about every month I guess, but my mother usually pays for it. In the summer I'm going to have a butch out and then I won't have to worry about it.' Since John was so eager to go, I thanked him for his time and being so cooperative in answering my questions. Away he went out the door, picking up his baseball cap on the way. When Margaret sat down with.me for her interview, she remarked that she would not have much time before she had to go down town. I offered to drive her down town when we have finished the interview. She glanced uneasily at the door,and after she had done it several times, I guessed that she was afraid her father might come in and not 609 allow her to go. I began the questions I wished to ask her with one regarding the division of the family income. Her brows showed a frown as she said, Did you ever hear of a minister having very much money? I want Daddy to do some other things and he says he does, but all I know that he does is to take the car and be gone, and then we all have to walk everywhere we go. I'd like to learn to drive it, but I can't. 'But tell me, Margaret, about the division of the money your father earns. Do you feel that you get a fair share of it?” Margaret laughed rather scornfully and said, How would I be able to answer that, Mrs. King? I don't even know what he makes. my mother keeps track of all the money. I wish I could earn more money, but my mother says I‘m.too young to do much baby sitting. She only lets me do it for mrs. C. once in a while. So I can't earn.much money of my own, but have to ask my mother for most of it and then she thinks I!m.too young to spend it by myself. Sometime I'm going to get me a job and when I do, I won't give any of my money to my folks, but I'm just going to spend it all. I don't care. That's what 1'11 do no matter if it isn't right. "Do you buy any of your own clothes at all, Margaret?” She simply looked at me resentfully as though I might be the one who had caused all of her real or fancied wrongs, and said with emphasis, Are you kiddin'? I'm.going to thouwh, and no one will be able to stop me. I borrowed about two dollars from John last week for a sport shirt like Marlene B. has and have to pay it back as soon as Mother lets me stay with.Mrs. C.'s kids again. She didn't know I bought that or she wouldn't have let me. She says I'm too young to buy things alone and anyway she makes everything I have. I don't know how I could anyway, 'cause I don't have hardly any money of my own. mother thinks I'm.too young to be trusted. "Do you like the things your mother makes for you to wear?" She thought for a moment and said, 8.118 610 I don't care much what she makes. I'm fat anyway and nothing looks right on me. My mother and father nag at me to diet, but I'd be fat anyway because everyone says I look just like my grand- mother and she's fat. I've got one dress that I like that she made me and I picked out the pattern for that, and Mamma made it out of something Grandma gave her of hers. It didn't turn out like the pattern was and it was Marlene's pattern anyway, and Hamma didn't like it because she said it wasn't in style a bit, but she used part of it, and I like that dress. I'W'hat color is the dress, Margaret?” I asked. ”It's blue. I'd like it better if it was a lighter blue thou;h.' Her answer gave me a chance to ask what her favorite color was, she said with surprise, I said it just now. Light blue. When I can go to more school parties I want lots of things that color. kw'folks won't let me to to anything unless it's special. I finally got them to let me go to the J—Hop, but I had to help Mbther make the dress and use the money I earned from Mrs. C. for the material. mamma likes pretty colors, tcn, but she don't get to wear much of 'em.” "If you don't go to the parties at school, will you tell me what some of the things are that you do for amusement, Margaret?” I just told you. I get to go to some very special school parties, but there are only two special ones a year. my mother says only the Hop and Prom are special. I'm not supposed to go to the show and I twink it's mean. I'm only supposed to go when it's a show that my father approves of and that's not many. I go though, when I stay all night with Marlene. Her folks don't care as long,as we go to the seven o'clock one. we went to see 'Forever Amber' a couple of weeks ago and I wouldn't have done that if mamma'd been here, but Daddy didn't care if I stayed with Marlene and he wouldn't approve of that show because it didn't have a horse or a dog in it and that's the only kind he will let us see. Marlene's mother went the night before. Gee, I didn't see anything bad about it, but all the girls at school said it was a wh0pper. "Do you have a favorite movie star, margaret?" Her eyes flashed a smile of interest and she said, 0.305 1»: ’11“. €'F.\{"J '2 a" " "widow. #7 . :2- ".‘JK Hayseed ”f; "2'".- .felv,‘ A. 'C 'i‘M‘JUO -..§-~ . .‘ z-mWD. ‘ h '3 .118 a” ' ‘ Fur-4‘. #5; firm ‘6' ."Hl‘t’lflm; . ._ 4. spasm 59H OMJI l" - - :mz'sj "* , 03 1' L, “’0 :’(:z'.1.: .'\.r" :Jrolo'ou: . "fir-P: I ' u ‘I h 1 51‘3". 13;? " 8r 611 I sure have. I like Jane Powell best of all because she's so cute and her hair is like I like, you know what I mean. Her hair is short and it's curly. She's just cute is all. I like the thin~s she wears in her pictures too. They're cute and I like them ans so does Earlene. Marlene's mother lets her have things that look cuts like that even if they don't cost as much as Jane Powell's things must of cost. "What are some of the other txings that you do for amusement, Margaret?‘ Oh, I read the funnies in the paper. Daddy won't let me have a funny book, but I read Marlene's and I read her other things too. She had Romance , and she has Calling All Girls and she has lots of otherrthihgs'to read. 'We have lots too,‘6ut'some of it is pretty stuffy and I don't like it. my father says that good books are the...the... something, but I've forgot what it is he says. Anyway, he has lots of books, but I don't like them. I like to go to the show better. I used to be a Brownie Scout, but I'm too old now and I'd have to have a Girl Scout dress if I wanted to be a Scout, so I'm not one. Mamma says we can't afford it and I don't think it's fair. I don't have anything else out of a store like Marlene does, and I think I should have a Scout dress if I want one. And I do. I can't think of anything else I do. If I could go with boys I'd do lots of things, but I can't because I'm too young and my mother says that every day and all the time. Anyway, no one asks me yet. The last was said in a low voice and with downcast eyes. "Whose opinion would you rather have in regard to your personal appearance, Margaret?” The answer was very prompt. Marlene's, but I can't say she flatters me much. She's real honest, but she's too big, too, so we make a good pair. It's not so bad when there's two of us and we like each other. She laughed a little, although it was rather a pitiful effort. ’Will you tell me how you would classify your personal appearance, margaret7' Her face flushed and she did.not speak for a moment. At last she said, 'nu‘ its 'to" : . .oueI ~ch 38:15 . . act '10 - mm: I m , HI bu c ‘5 (HI Qr It! .3111 .. .72" '~'¢ ,neo‘b " .va Ti 5. '-'C"- {{é om 1p:- 0 '-: an . ';’1': .(112 new}: L!’.’f.€'fu"."'.’ 1m '~.' _‘."L2.r e_: I! UCW not wad: yd r O l . 3A 612 I know what I'd like to say. You mean how I look, don't you? I guess I'm not so much, but I will be when I can work and get some money of my own. Daddy and Mamma want me to go to a school in Illinois, I guess it is, after I'm through high school, but I'm not going to go. I want to work. I'd like to work in the telephone office, I think. Daddy'd look the best, maybe, if he didn't look like a funeral all the time. I think he looks just like an undertaker in his black suits and when he puts on his long tailed coat once in awhile, he looks more like it. fiislays me. IMargaret, have you ever been ashamed of your parents or your brother? I mean about the way they looked?” She thought deeply for a moment and with a shake of her head said, Mar I guess not, except I don't like my father to look like a minister and I hate to have himumake me go to church, and I hate Sunday School some of the time. John and I have to go to everything there is at church. we get awful tired of it, but that don't make any difference to Daddy. He says if we don't go, how can he tell others to be there, and I guess that's right, but I don't see why he had to be a minister in the first place. He could have been a lot of things besides a minister. I'Do you have any special clothes that you wear to the church, *aret?‘ She shook her head and sighed. Just my best dress is all and I almost always wear it and I can't have another 'till summer. Maybe when Mamma gets back next week, if she comes to stay, she'll get me something, but I don't know ‘what. She get someone to get her a discount on a machine and she sews and sews. I can't see it myself, but it's all right for people who like it, I guess. Mother says I have to learn next year, but I don't see why. Maybe I will. I don't know. “Do you take care of your own clothes, Margaret? Pressing, mending and so forth?” She laughed and said, Oh brother: You should see my room. ‘When mamma gets here she'll have a fit if I don't get it cleaned up and my clothes hung up. That is one of my jobs, but I don't mend or press anything. Itm supposed to keep the spots off and keep my dresses from getting sweaty under my arms, but I forget and sometimes Mamma gets dis- gusted with me. 3.fo CM 9"... .fidf “:21. M)!- C(b'lacw ‘ - if,“ z. 1 3!! ha s’rrim n 8143 BY? "J‘ .. .. 3f 'mq L flab f ‘\ . Q'mec _ ‘j I :11: .zg‘_ 7.?" I‘J-t-I We '0 M 5.3%; M“, f’ .2 . ~- . 2dr? [arm-z"; ‘1" .mx' '3! see DIM-35¢" ' : pm" !:mi"‘C-L' 11‘ but: (7" Epmtf') 31’ 5‘03 :16 ‘1“ . ~.r.- w ""1th I 3}“ as ". is: rzo't’l' as)? non!" Yr". com! f'w" 9.101% "' mgr. :;"-¢)x ms 5.. :.esfidemce I‘m: Jug'xe'l 1" ‘ ' I 11".: 613 "Do you have many personal problems, Margaret? Besides forgetting about the deoderant and the spots? Or perhaps you don't think of those things as problems ." With dignity, Margaret answered, Yes, I've got a real serious problem, because I'm fat and I don't want to be, but I can't stop eating and it.makes me have pimples and Hamma won't let me use anything. She says that I ought to keep my face clean and I wouldn't have 'em, but I do. And she 'won't let me use hand cream or anything because I'mntoo young, she says. I don't dare use anything else on my face or a lipstick or anything like that, but I think even a minister's daughter ought to have some cream for her face, don't you? I avoided a direct answer by smiling at her and asking another question. "Margaret, you have mentioned the use of something to prevent perspiration from soiling your dresses. ‘Will you tell me what you think about removing the hair from under your arms?‘ She looked a little blank and said, ‘we'd like to, Marlene and me both, but neither one of us can. It's funny that Marlene can't when she can do almost anything she wants to, but she can't do that either. my mother can't let me, she says. She says that Daddy says that women weren‘t meant to do that. I never think much about it. ”I had almost forgotten to ask you. Do you like to get clothing for Christmas and birthday gifts?” Slowly, she said, ”I guess so, but I don't get much of anything like that. I'd like it if I did, though.” ”What do you enjoy the most at home, margaret7' "I like the record player best of anything,” she answered quickly. ”Only I don't think we ought to have so much church music on the records. 'We've only got a little,one, but I wanted it so long.'I 614 "What would you say you enjoyed the least at home?“ Margaret thought for several seconds. Finally, she said, Well...I don't like my mother going around the house the way she does with her slip hanging all the time and the old dresses she wears to work in around the house. She looks awful when she has on a dress all ripped under the arms and around, and her slip hanging and everything. I don't like the way she wears a bath- robe around the house either, but I suppose it's all right. I don't like being called 'too young' all the time either. 'I think I'll keep that promise and take you down town now, if you still want to go,‘ I said as I thanked Margaret. "When did you say your mother would be back?m She thought that it might be safe to try on the following Saturday, for her mother was to be there soon, she said. On the following Saturday about two o'clock, I called once more at the JR. home, and at last found Mrs. JR. She looked so pale and tired from her ordeal with taking care of the sick that I felt as though I must be imposing upon her to even think of asking for the interview I had wanted so much. I found her most gracious and willing, however, and she told me that I must stay by all means and that it might rest her rather than otherwise to take the time to talk to me. I appreciated her willingness and started the interview at once, so that I might not take up too much of her time. The background questions were explained and I waited for her to begin. I was glad that she had told me her mother was much better at the time she had returned home. Otherwise, I would have hesitated to ask any question that might have made her think of her mother. Lifa‘ “avid. :ruori Mk? I)” ~ ' . -Ii ":6wa g} ,‘A'u? Iliy' .L o? " H I. 'Ifdzf‘ ;o as 7 _ t"! 'rr- :,o{j M; 5.." V’ -.‘i AJZB f 'L‘ V " "hruzd ed 4 .‘JT ,.‘.."a it". momma. if ,I ‘5 ‘ 1 2min '1 mini! )f‘u NI. ' f " 821 3‘4 ’ q... ‘3 Ji-"U 2‘ “32'! I . VI? 7" up?! {(_ q” 3"“ ,. _ r v' . L0 I \ ' t0 ' , ,"1. bib-V .r. I eff'd'ul 08 ‘ r! , I Jeslm‘rsuQ 5" “J1 2:3‘2 in!” . . IT .mr'lfi '29:}. 'lC ffOSJfl'.’ €03‘_1u , .nf;~;*.~t‘ ed 101% 'u‘l hustle-ti baa uh cm" r-mz' en}! fin Leased flaws as! “may! . -“ Li . ‘ é”, neitseng 'ps $21!: 0: 593232.801: even 131va o {2” all had m3. JR. b6.&n. I was born in Jackson and I lived there until I was married. I met my husband there in high school and after he had finished his training in the Seminary in Wisconsin, he went back to Jackson and we got married. You really wanted to know about the first fifteen or twenty years of my life you said, and I guess that covers it pretty well. I could see that Mrs. JR. was not going to be the type to recall of her little girlhood experiences, so asked whether or not she brothers and sisters and, if so, were they older or younger. I had a sister, but she was killed on a pony when she was quite small. She rode the pony out on the pavement where we weren't supposed to go. She was at our grandfather's farm and our pony was kept out there, and we loved it so. It was terrible and it 'was bad for the woman who struck her too. ‘A paper blew into the pony's face and he bolted right in front of the car. It was an Advent woman on her way to Jackson. She never got over it and neither did my father and mother. Our children have always wanted a pony, but I couldn't bear to have one even if we felt we could afford it or have one here in town for than. Charlene, that was my sister's name, was so hapay when we could go to the farm, and so was I, only I was a good deal older than Charlene. In fact, I was six years older, but I liked the pony just the same. 'We didn't have too much in common except the pony because of the difference in our ages, you know. I remanber when she was born, I thought it was so nice to have a baby sister in our family, and I went to school and bragged to everyone about it. I was sixteen when she was killed and she was ten. After I was married, mother felt that she was so all alone, and I felt guilty to think I'd gotten married. I'm.afraid I put my husband through some pretty trying times. After Margaret was born, I thought Mother would take some comfort with her, but it's not been easy to be going back and forth often and Mother never got much acquainted with her except when she was smaller. She's getting old now, and has been sick so much that Father has wanted us to let Margaret visit them for the summer, but I'm sure she would get homesick and I think she's too young to be away from us. Goodness, knows, I'm worried enough while I've been away, although I knew that my husband would take care of everything. He's the best thing to take charge when I'm.away and I never have to think of a thing. ”It seems strange, Mrs. JR., that they don't want JOhn.’ ”Yes, it is. He could do lots of things to help Father and ,. ., 251.3? I b‘ ' . ,. A. r 93 mar , i; __ i - - , . . nut!“ MW"O;;_1 .7 , ' 4 . - ,. 3'3"" 211”". Edit. ‘5 .1 - , ,, , . r . :3 ”ca: 0'11! ”A T" ‘ ‘ I a ' --(.. "an .51. .s"! .- ». . - - . . '11:; em ads- , _ " , ‘ '- 1:7 .1.) {NC moq- C'. ' , '- ' - .‘ 2": : -_ .w s new . . I ‘ . . Inevcl 3.! bill; - , "Lg? foam 8 (n't. . 4 :+:.s_ :" .’. {’Iffl 1 bedlmfl __ ' _ .. a v". x. .Lemflw'b 0+! '5; I '7 , _, _ - p . ’ .:~ 1." .I‘J‘LCOH has W e ‘ .‘ ‘.' ' V’n ‘.£‘.‘. (‘+ “(Bad “werw f . ."L .1155. .I ‘1'.“1. t'a’ctLr ’2} («Led ; I» __ . c. :- i 't netr‘n' ; " 41d (8 m ,.g- 9 .HM _ -f* -,** manic Iu'b1003 s.- ' ,, ‘2 '5‘ f'f‘f aLJ " 6,-zl T ind .1 " w.“ 2;-" 3 .. ‘-.:m'(‘.'.' -'or’;7 .‘Qrun 1090300 111: a!” , ‘.' .4. 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She looked a little puzzled for an instant as though she could not understand my question, but before I could speak again, she said, As often as twice a Sunday, I went. my father and.mother were, and are, great church workers and I only wish that I could get our children to want to go like I did. It was never a task for me, but Margaret, especially, doesn't want to go like I did. I believe she resents her father's idea that she had a duty to him. I think somewhere along the way, I must have finally failed in my training, or she wouldn't feel that way. Of course right now she is at a difficult age, but I get so discouraged. "Do you remember anything about the way you and your father and mother dressed to go to church, Mrs. JR.?" I can't say that I remember anything in particular about the 'way we dressed to go to church except that I always had a dress for Sunday for the fall and winter and one for spring and summer. I couldn't wear that Sunday dress anywhere except on Sunday, so that meant-that I always wore it to church and Sunday School. It's different with.my daughter, though. She has a best dress, but it doesn't mean much to her and she'd just as soon wear it to school as to look it, I'm.sure. When she gets to college for her education, and she is determined now that she isn't going, I hope she has more regard for her clothes than she has now, or a house mother will be giving her demerits every day. She is awfully careless about her clothes, but I don't know what to do about it. I sew for her by the hour, but I don't think she ever thinks about the work that is in her clothes. When Mother used to sew for me, I think I as least cared enough about my things to hang them up, instead of draping them around chairs and putting them on the floor, like Mhrgaret does. John's much neater than she is about ‘his clothes. ”Since you saw so much, perhaps you will tell me how you feel you can best keep up in knowing the latest fashion, ans what you think of the so called 'neW'look' in clothes, mrs. JR.?” 617 I have a new Singer and all of the attachments and that helps a lot. I use McCall's patterns and they're so simple that anyone could use them, and I take the McCall's magazine too. I like it -so much better for patterns than anything else, don't you? Itm afraid I don't think much of the 'new look', as they call it. I find it a silly thing to put a long skirt on a young girl and have her hair up on top of her head. It costs so much to put all that material in the long skirts too. Margaret would look absurd with her figure. I like to be in style, but of course I}/ have to be reserved too, and I find that I can look quite good in something that isn’t too much in the extreme either way. My husband likes quiet, dark things and I only splurge once in a 'while. He likes my coats to be black and I guess that is about the only thing we disagree on. Everything else he leaves to me about all of our clothes, except when I'm.to get a coat. He always goes right along with me then. I suppose you think it's religicn that makes that, but it isn't really. It's just that ' he feels that I must not be as well dressed as his congregation, I think. If I had a lot of bright things, I would be conspicious, if you see what I mean. 'Did you ever wear made over clothes when you were a girl?” I don't remember anything in particular, but I often do now; One of my favorite dresses is made from an old cape that I dug out of a trunk at Mother's. It still smells of mothballs probably, but the material is lovely and I couldn't afford to buy it now. Margaret could almost wear it except she is bigger around the waist and hips than I mm. I have to use some old things if I make our money stretch. It's no simple problem to do that on a minister's salary, you know. "Do you plan the spending of the income together as a family, Mrs. JR.?' She shook her head and said, I'm.afraid we don't. The children are too young for that and my husband leaves it up to me a gooddeal, as he's away quite often. In fact, he's away so much that margaret says we can never have the car because her father always has it, and it is true. I some- times think that I'm.the man of the famidy, although I don't mean that as an insult to my husband to my husband. I cahs the checks and buy the coal and the groceries and everything we have. I'll really be glad when Margaret can help me more, or we go to another job. I sometimes think that we'd be better off in a regular church instead of this church plus the traveling. It doesn't leave us any time to do anything at all and the children hardly knOW'they have 618 a father, except on Sunday and then.most of the day is taken up with church, of course. He's had to sacrifice a lot with me in Jackson so much the last few weeks, but I think that‘s over new. If it hadn't been that Mother was so sick, I'd have been glad the children were getting a chance to be alone with their father for a time. Of course I didn't like him.to sacrifice his time from.his work out in the field either. Aside from that, it's pretty expensive to lose some salary, and I'm sure they have wasted a lot of food. Margaret's certainly no cook yet, and if her father would let her, they would eat nothing but sandwiches, and he probably had to make them, 'Do you give the children an allowance, mrs. JR.?“ No, they don't have a regular allowance. I'm never sure how far I can.make things go and so I just give them.a little now and then. It's a problem.to know how much anf for what, too. Margaret asks for more than John does and she pouts if she can't have the exact thing she asks for right when she wants it. She wanted me to buy her a pair of slacks before school was out and she's quite dis- appointed that I couldn't. She doesn't think much of being refused anything and she hates to be told that she's too fat to wear them. "Do you have a personal allowance for clothing, Hrs. JR.?" She laughed and said, Mercy me. I just make the money go as far as it will and save what I can for a rainy day, which always comes. My husband must look right in the pulpit and on the visits he makes, but I don't need an allowance. I use what I must, is all. First, I see that he is outfitted the way he should be and after that I worry about myself and the chilren. I would like to have a part time job in some office, but my husband won't hear tothat. I'd have to brush up on my typing, but I think I could. I worked in an office before I was married. He doesn't want me to work, but he never finds fault with the way I manage. I'd like to let him do all of the managing once though. I should have gotten away from it when I went home, but instead I got more of it. Father wanted me to do everything, including buying him a suit to be buried in. Isn't that morbid? "Do you enjoy selecting clothing for others, Mrs. JR.?' I certainly do, and fo myself too. I don't do much picking out of ready made things, for they're too expensive for us and I mostLy pick out patterns and materials, but of course my husbands clothes v" “I." u ‘ - .L ‘ Y ' . '. . ' I (‘r to! 6". , . J o . . . ‘ .: . ',-]' fits-Ra Dd... E . ..' Ar m 0;" "‘0‘.” A"; ' . _ ; _ gf -' ’ I .l3.’.7. .1031: 1‘ .7 -. "J 7; r..- -'-.' a. . 2 ' " ‘7 'i' ':‘«I srfaqh'“ , f I " - ”(If-Inca I. Y 1 ' ' ' . ‘TL'CMTSP; Q - l‘ .. a. 'g' Of. ' . ~.: ' ‘ ‘ ' .' ' m -'. ‘ Tuneup: tat - m- ' « ‘ . _~ 2 ~.' ,-'.ue 3, 3:1ch ‘ ._:3‘ . ' ~ . , I. ‘ . ~. . , . 3‘1 .5 3““¢$Ohfi:«j§‘ H rel ye ' « ,, v i _ , - '- ' 5 '.-' .ta'asnen I -.,- 7? , '3" ' I r . V. ' ‘ I ., I ',L";'{‘: I w . . . . 9 ‘..' Q 4 . .. , - - x. ‘ f- ' 1;; . ~ y w .' . 1:». J07. .‘. Deed .. h _, r-~ ’. .. . _‘ V._ .‘,_ g, . q ' ,ar . i) . . v a ‘ . -l :'uo,;;m:':.!l1 93:3: {vb d‘m'w . .0“: new: , Viacom 3; ha?! 2:; :e': wtvwv-a L“- ("3":1’53’3 ' ' - Meir} abnAH'J'Jfi ‘1'“ enema . 7- " -,-. ' 619 and my coats and a few ouher things we get ready made. I would feel that way if we were wealthy, I'm sure. I can dress the children and myself easily for what my husband spends on his ready made things, or what I have to spend on a coat. I've never made a coat, just made over for the children. Is it hard, or do you think I could do it? I'd rather have one good eat of mat erial I could buy and make it last a long time, than to have a ready made and wear it only one or two years, if I thought I could do it. I've never made a suit either, except the little suits I've made for Margaret. It had taken up more time than I had thought possible for the interview, and I was sorry as I knew that I should have been careful not to over-stay. I thanked Mrs. JR., and noticed as she walked to the door with me that the slip her daughter had mentioned, was hanging. I had also noticed that Mrs. JR.'s general appearance was not that of a professional man's wife. However, she had been gracious and kind. ;7 1. must have what some the man's 2. you have achieved as a man? for them? happiness share? ,/’3. efforts in the spending bought her own clothes? dressmaker come to the he sometimes make something made? attention, and money on any par Mr. QUESTIONS FOR THE 620 FATHER OF THE Fffi‘fll LY , a man with a family of four to support to plan pretty carefully these days. Will you tell me of the problems are? I am particularily interested in view point on the clothing problems. As the head of the family, will you tell me whether or not a. b. 0. d. Go f. g. How do you fe a. b. d. e. f. In what way? what, as a boy, you were sure you wished to achieve As a boy, what was your life ambition? Are you now doing the work that you like best to do? Are your wife and children satisfied with your job? Are your children pretty much fulfilling your ambitions 'What would you be willing to sacrifice for the of your family? What pleasures do you have that your family do not Do you often have a c hance to relax in the evening? el your family can best cooperate with your of the family income? Do you feel that all members of your family are fair in their use of the family income or do you feel that your wife, son or daughter spend too much for recreation, clothes, etc.? 'What use do you expect your'wife to make of the family income you share with her? c. Do you recall, as a boy, whether or not your mother Do you re call.whether or not your mother had a family use to sew when you were a boy? Did she for you too? If so, did you like what she How do you feel about your wife or daughter sewing? ‘Would you appreciate having them.make all of their own clothing? Do you feel that your family spends too much time, ticular phase of their daily life? \\ 621 g. Is your personal appearance important in your job? h. Do you feel that in your profession there is a standard of dress required? 1. Do you feel that following the latest fashion in clothes is necessary? Does this thinking apply to all members of your family? 3. When you buy a suit, how long do you expect to wear it? An.overcoat? k. Do you ever go shopping for clothes with any member of your family? 1. ‘What constitutes a minimum.number of suits for you? m. Since I think you must find your wife a pretty shrewd shopper, will you tell me how she manages to get her money's worth these days? n. How do you think your family compares in dress with other families you know? 0. Are you proud of the appearance your family makes? / 4. What responsibilities do you like to have your wife take in regard to the purchase of your clothing? a. Do you prefer to have your wife shop for your shirts, socks, and ties? b. Do you like silk crepe, knitted or wool ties best? c. How do you feel about the ties and other articles of clothing you get for Christmas and birthdays? QUESTIONS FOR THE LITTLE CHILD 622 OF THE FAMIEY 1. 'Which suit, dress, shoes and socks that you wear do you like best? 2. If you were going to have a new suit, dress or coat what color would you like it to be? 3. Does Mother ask you to help choose your clothes when you are going to have something new? 4. 'Who, besides Mother, buys clothes for you? 5. Do you sometimes like to wear clothes that belong to someone else? 6. 'Wbuld you like to have a dress or suit like any of your playmates? 7. Which would you rather wear, dress, suit, cover—alls, or overalls? 8. 'Wbuld you like a dress or suit like sister's or brother's? 9. would you like best to have new toys, books, a doll, a new suit or dress for Christmas and birthdays? 10. Does mother or someone else sometimes make you something to wear? 11. Do you like it when someone makes something for you? 12. How do you like your pajamas or nightie to feel and look when you put them on at night? 13. Do you like Mether's dress when she gets one? 14. Do you have one doll that you like nest of all! 15. Do you sew for your doll? What color is her hair? Her eyes? Her dress? Does she have a coat, cap and mittens? A long dress? 16. Do you have a toy that you like best? Why? Is it shiny and what color is it? 17. Do you earn some pennies and nickels? Do you save any of them? 'What are you going to buy with your money? Do you sometimes spend it by yourself? 624 QUESTIONS FOR THE BOY NOT YET IN HIS TEENS 1. Of all your clothes, what do you like best to wear to school? To Sunday School? a. Do you wear blouses or shirts? b. How long have you worn long pants? c. What kind of ties do you like best? d. Which do you like best, long stockings or short ones? What color do you like best for your clothes? e. How do you dress on Sunday? f. Do you like caps or hats best to wear on your head? g. ‘What do you like best to wear on your feet when it rains? When it snows? When it is muddy? When it is warm in the spring and summer? h. Hair cuts cost a lot these days, who cuts your hair? Do you wash your own hair? Do you use an oil on your hair? i. What kind of coat do you like best when it is warm? When it is cold? j. Do you like to choose your own clothes? k. Are you given money to buy any clothes with? 1. Which of your mother's dresses do you like the best? Why? m. Some Dads wear nightshirts insiead of pajamas. Which do you like best? n. Would you rather wear sweaters and jeans, or a sport jacket and trousers? o. What sports do you take part in at school? p. Is there a shower room at school that you may use after playing in the gym? 625 QUESTIONS FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE AGE GROUP 1. As a member of the family group, what are your views in regard to the sharing of the family income? a. Do you have a personal allowance, and, if so, buy your clothing from it? b. Do you sometimes spend more than your share of the family income? If so, for‘what items do you spend too much? c. Do you contribute to the family income and for'what purpose do you use the money you earn? Are you willing to use it for buying your own clothing? d. Do you like to shop for your own clothes? e. If you purchase your own clothes, whose opinion do you value most in regard to what you buy, your mother, your girl or boy friends or others? do you f. Do you feel that you are given a fair share of money for your clothing? g. If any member of your family needs or wants more clothing than others in the family, how do you feel about it? 2. Do you have some pretty definite ideas in regard to personal problems, responsibilities and home life in general? 'Will you tell me some of them? a. .Are you more influenced by what your friends say in regard to your clothing and personal appearance than by your parents approval or disanproval? b. 'Would you rather be dressed like the other boys and girls or would you rather be a bit different? ' c. Do you feel that your parents do not understand or are unappreciative in regard to your clothing needs, wants, and preferences? d. lAre you ever envious or jealous of your friend's clothes? e. ‘Are you ever slightly embarrassed or ashamed of your mother, father, brother or sister in regard to their clothes or personal appearance? f. If you want something new in clothing and one parent says 'no', do you ever try to persuade the other one to say 'yes'? g. 'What opinion do you have in regard to the use of cosmetics, deoderants and depilitories in their relation to clothing? h. Do you date? How do you decide what to wear on a date? 1. Do you think it your responsibility to wash, mend and press your own clothes? ‘4 626 j. ‘Which dress or suit that you wear do you like best, and why? (Color, becomingness, style.) k. Which articles of clothing do you think should be added to your wardrobe? 3. How would you classify yourself in appearance in comparison with your friends? a. How do you feel about readyemade clothing versus that made at home? b. Do you sew? Do you want to learn how? 'Why or why not? 0. Do you ever wear clothing that has been.made over? Do you usually like it? d. How do you feel about receiving gifts of clothing for Christmas and birthdays? 4. Will you tell me about the social activities of your age group at school, church and community in general? a. Do you belong to any club, sorority or fraternity, and if so, are you holding an office? b. Do you dress in any special way to attend meetings of your club? c. Do you attend dances and how do you like to dress for them? d. What person or persons do you admire most at school and in your community? Why? e. Do you have favorite movie stars? Who and why do you especially admire them? f. 'Which.magazines do you like best? 'Why? g. Do you take part in the social life in your home? h. What do you enjoy most at home? Least? ‘9 _“* . rot , ' . ‘. #:te doi‘q ‘L‘.I. . ~_ ‘ 4". - "v k (‘ 2”' ‘9', - - -.._o ' Ia zit-22M! no «.93., ' -<4 7 --" .jld-— " - "in? :-: a»; rm _ '5 ~ ' 73'3" SIJ‘C C!)- 3’ 15‘ A. 627 QUESTIONS FOR THE MOTHER OF THE FAEILY 1. .As the wife and mother of the family, will you tell me some of the ways you influence members of the family group in regard to their clothing wants, needs and choice of same? a. Do you keep a record of clothing expenditures? b. Do you encourage your children in buying articles of clothing for themselves? If so, what advantage do you think this has in the teaching of values? 0. If your children earn money, what do you think it means in teaching them appreciation? d. Do you feel that your children rec0gnize the fact that a new outfit for you gives you a 'lift', and if so, do they want you to have the new things before or after they get theirs? e. Do you have a few clothes that you like to wear better than others? f. Do you approve of your children's ideas as to fashion, style or garments? g. Do you and your husband regard the children's clothing demands similarily as to amounts, cost and so forth? h. Does your husband ever select clothing for you? Do you enjoy having him do so? 1. Do you enjoy choosing clothing for the members of your family? 2. From the standpoint of the family income, what things do you consider most important in keeping it under control so that it makes for a happy, contented family life? a. Do you contribute to the family income and if so, may I ask what use you make of the money you earn? b. Do you feel that your family appreciates the effort you make to add to the family income? 0. Do you have a clothing allowance which is separate from any money you earn? ‘ d. Do you budget the amount of money you spend for food and clothing? e. Does your family cooperate with you in living within the budget? f. Do you have a personal allowance? g. Do you have an allowance for running the household? .v ’4 {amour gm: f‘clo 13 evexi fig ?' 08 :n‘( +w r3 . £31203 XHQQ'M :5: m. m ,1 ”i, 628 h. Do you and your husband usually agree on the expenditure of money for the children? i. HOW'dO you feel when you have refused your son or daughter an article of clothing and he persuades his father to get it for him? 3. What are some of the ways that you feel style, fashion and quality in c10thing can be achieved by your family? a. ‘What is your impression in regard to the new trend in fashion? b. Do you listen to radio talks on fashion or read the magazine articles regarding the subject? 0. Which do you feel is most im"ortant in regard to clothing, quality or quantity? Do you amply the same thinking to your husband and children's clothes that you do to your own? d. Do you sew, for whom and to what extent? 6. Do you feel that the fmmily appreciates your sewing? f. Do you think you save money when you sew for your family? g. Do you find that it costs as much to dress as to dress yourself? '—‘- QVBSTIONS FOR THE FAMILY GROUP OR HUSBAND AND WIFE TOGETHER 1. Where did you spend the first fifteen or twenty years of your life? a. Did you have brothers and sisters? b. Were they younger or older? 2. How long have you lived in this community? 3. Were your children born in this community? If not, where? 4. I am interested in the sort of things you do together as a family. ‘Will you please tell me about them? a. Do you, as a group, listen to the radio together? If so, what are some of the special programs you enjoy? b. Are there special pragrams enjoyed by some members of the family and not by others? Will you tell me about them? 0. Do you listen to 4-H Club or Extension talks over the college station? d. Do you read together as a group and later discuss what you have read? What reading material is enjoyed most? e. What magazines do you take that have articles on cloth- ing? By which members of the family are articles on style and fashion read? ' f. Is it of importance to you, as a family, to be together on holidays and birthdays? L/zg. Do the special holidays sometimes call for extra cloth- ing for any member of the family? h. Does sometimes want or need a new formal for special occasions? '__— 1. Does Mother sometimes make the neW'formal? If so, how would you compare the cost of the home sewed garment versus the ready made? 3. Does your son ever need a tuxedo for special occasions? If so, does he own his own 'tux' or does he, as so many boys do, rent one? 'Who ties his tie when he dresses? k. Who mends, cleans and presses the family clothing? 1. How do you feel about girls going without hose? Without hats? al. How do you feel about lay-a-way accounts for clothing? bl. Do you have any special feeling in regard to the wearing of used clothing? cl. I suppose all of us have worn handqme-down clothing. Do you remember how you felt about wearing them? 1.3. ,. 9W" “.11.; {-09 em kc. ' '"“'1.‘0' m a L": 110'? igutj. n6 4—“ J-‘ to. -‘ ’ "1‘ . “11.21303 388'! 6 5.. ‘-.%"158€°’£'$ W é}-‘. *;O 1333!]... - .-. . 3‘; ,.«.-.?.' .. 45" 4 - . 6 O ‘0!"I""""_7fi-'1 'to "w ’r . tan-”'9 . o"! 'iIL". it tamfb ." “ 9‘ i-* ‘1 (d3 10' €40 ... -..".m103 ‘J-Jfi: “9,? ”+91?“ 5; 0:63:36“ -.' .3 it deco- g \ , -- ‘1 . '49:": 'i*:'¢‘ [:03 fl ‘if—:9, . are} 10 ’xufi’ 3*” ’I;Q #- . (:8 ;_~.'-‘; 1. 31': “8gp"; @ as: 3:899*" ”5“ gafle£$ .‘:;io? a-1i~ suede leg! gcgv.. ._ ... ,r e '7 - ‘1. ‘ . ‘ -".— ' .2331 :3 a'y- . " ’ H ' '1', 's- r -‘--. f-EE. ”ff-til'" V Lori.) 0.19:; dimmr can 2.21.0-1. .1 3::- ca"? 1%.; _ 63’ bmege' a,“ gn:l;g: i“ ,C .‘H'.f 630 dl. Do your daughters wear each others clothes? Does this ever cause them to quarrel? 61. Do your daughters like to dress alike? If one has something new, does the other also want something new? m. Is the 'new look' in clothes important to you as a family? n. As a family, do you take part in the same recreational activities as ozher families you know? 0. Do you play golf, and, if so, do you find that it requires any special form of dress for either men or women? p. Do you place tennis in the same category as golf as regards to dress? q. After any form of recreation, do you often entertain your friends? Is this done by the family as a group? r. How do you feel when friends or relatives build or purchase a new home, buy a new car, or go on a trip? 8. When you go on a vacation, do you dress in any special way? t. Do you as a family enjoy any one color more than another? If so, is that color in connection with house furnishings, paint, wall paper, cars or clothes? u. Do you plan the division and spending of the family income together? v. Is fliers any person living in your home, other than husband, wife and children? w. Is the husband the sole support of the family? x. Are the children given a weekly allowance? Do they have a clothing allowance? y. ‘Who does the ouying of the family clothing? 2. Does any member of the family have to spend more than another for clothing? If so, which one, why, and how do other members of the family feel about it? 5. How do you feel about the children going on to college after finishing high school? a. If goes to college is it because she or he wants so much to fulfill—Eh ambition you have cherished? b. ‘Will your choice of a college for your son or daughter have anything to do with standards of dress maintained in that college? (Some small denominational colleges require that all students dress with heels, hose, etc. for the evening meal and parties requiring formal dress are greatly restricted.) c. Do you approve of sports at school? d. Does your child feel that he, or she, must dress in any special way for playing tennis? Do you aoprove of shorts for tennis? For street wear? 631 e. HOW'dO you feel about the wearing of sun suits? The new swim suits? f. ‘Will your son or daughter earn any part of the money spent for college clothing? g. Do some of the sports at high school or college require the wearing of slacks or jeans by the girls? h. Are there 'mixers' following games in your school and hOW'dO the boys and girls dress for them? 1. Does your son or daughter sometimes think it impossible to attend social activities at school unless a new garment can be purchased for the occasion? j. Is a new article of dress ever given or withheld as a bribe or a punishment to any child in the family? 6. Do you attend church tOgether as a family? Sunday School? ’a. How often do you attend church? b. Do you sometimes go alone? c. Does your wife, or husband, sometimes go with you? d. Do the children sometimes go alone? 6. Do any of the children belong to Youth Fellowship or Christian Endeavor? f. Do any of the children feel that they must have special clothes for church or any of the social activities connected with the church? g. Does Easter have any special significance in regard to clothes worn to church on that day? h. 'When you were a child, did you go to church or Sunday If so, did you look forward to going? Do you remember why? 1. Do you remember how you dressed to go to church*when you were a child? School? j. How do your children dress to go to church? k. Do you recall how your father or mother dressed to go to church? 1. 'Who said Grace at the table when you were a child? me Since the saying of Grace at the table seems to be discontinued by nmny families, may I ask whether or not the custom is continued in your home? If so, by whom is it said? n. 'Who prepares the Sunday dinner after church? Does the preparation of the dinner necessitate the changing of the Sunday clothes? B 18 LIOGRAPHY 1 Anderson, J. P., A.STUDY OF THE HBLJTIONSVIP JTMEEN CF RTAIN ASPECTS OF PARENTAL 1 iAVIORl'l: All) ATTITUDES 1119) THE BS: luVIOR OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS. Teach. Coll. Contr. Educ. No. 809. I932. 2 Barr, E.D., A PSYCH _ YOLD "'1 ICAL P. :ALYS IS 9}: FASHIOI‘J l‘ IOT IVs]? ION . A I'Cl'l . PsyChOle NOYO, NO. 170 1954 Benedict, Ruth, DRESS. EnclyclOpedia of the Social Sciences. 1931. Vol. V, 4 Chapin, Stuart, EIP11 IMEIT L DESIGN IN SOCIAIOrICAL RESEARCH, New York, Harper and Brothers, Publishers, 1947. Dearborn, George Van Ness, THE PS YCROLOGY OF CLOTHES, Psychological Monozraph, Psycholo is al Review. Dickens, Dorothy, SOCIJI.F%RTICIRATION AS A CRITERION FOR DETEiMINING SCIEQTIFIC MINIMI UM STAIDARDS IN CLOTLING, RuraI Sociology Ix, (Dee. 1944 ) Flugel, J.C., THE PSYCHOLOGY O§_CLOTHES, London: L and V Woolfat The Hogarth Press, 1930. 8 Hawes, Elizabeth, FASHION IS SPINACH, Random House 1938. 9 Hicks, J. A. and Hayes, H., STUDY OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF 250 JUNIOR-HIGH-SChOOL CHILDREN, ‘Child Develpm. 9,1938 pp 219- 242. Horst, Paul, THE PREDICTION 9F_PERSONA£_ADJUSTMENT, Social Science Research Council, 230 Park Ave., New York, New York. 10 ll Hurlock, Elizabeth B., THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DRESS, Ronald Press, 1929 12 Hurlock, Elizabeth B., ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT, IcGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc. 1949. 13 Lee, Alfred McClung, NEW OUTLINE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOIOGY Barnes and Moore, Inc., New York, 1946. 14 Lundbergs George, SOCIAL RESEARCH, New York, Longman Green and 00., 1946. 15 Lund, R.S., and Lynd, H.M., MIDDLETORN, New York, Harcourt, Brace, 1929. «WM. '5’; .:.|‘-.0.,A . - O q —-.-.—.......”< v 3'73514’ .1. J.- _:r. ‘if x‘fl .J‘y-,‘. . V" ’ ’> "i. N .. Yip! "“WLIQQLX. 49*” 'lg»: -1&',~ a 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Merton, Robert, MASS PERSUASION Nystrom, Paul H., ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES 9§_CONSUHPTION, Ronald Press of New York, 1931. —w*W-fl SELECTED GROUPS 9E_Mn.RIED AND UNLHRRIED IONLH Michigan State ColIege, 1948. Stott, Leland H., PARENTAL ATTITUDI ‘8 OF FARiiL TOJN, AND CITY PARENTS IN RELATIUN T0 CERTAIN PERSJNALITY ADJUSTMENTS IN THEE CHIED1{EN, Joum al of Social Psycholov oy, 1940. Stoltz, H. R., and Stoltz, L.M., ADJLTSCENT PBOBLEHS RELATED TO SOMITIC VLRIATIONS, 45rd Year 6, Nat. Soc. Stud. Educ., 1944, pp. 80-990 Symonds, P.M., THE PSYCHOLOGY 0F PLRENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS, New York,.Appleton-Century. 1939. Sumner, W.C., FOLNHAYS, Ginn and Co., 1906. Younc, Agnes, PECURRING CYCLES OF FASHION, Harper and Brothers, 1930. Young, Pauline, SCIEITTIFIC SOCIAL SURVEYS AND R.% EnRCH. , New York, Harper and Brothers, 1946. ‘ A J J- I. 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