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SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS OF ADOLESCENT
GIRLS ON RELIEF

BY

LOUISE ELIZABETH BARROWS

submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the degree of master of Arts in the .
Graduate School, Michigan State College,
Department of Sociology
June, 1939

I:

IHEbm

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The writer wishes to express appreciation
to Dr. Ernest B. Harper, Mrs. Wilda Bolles,
and Mr. Duane Gibson, whose suggestions and
encouragement have made this study possible.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Introduction - General Statement and Purpose
Of the Stu-fly 0000000000000.00.100000000000000... 1-2

Chapter

I. Methods Used in the Study ..................... 5-8
II. A Survey of Trends in the Study of Adolescence. 9-14
III. The Family Background of the Girls in the

Relief Group .................................. 15-20
IV. A Comparative Study of the Heme Situation in

the Relief and Non-Relief Groups .............. 21-58
V. I Activities of the Girls in the Schools ........ 59-44
VI. A Study of the Church.Attendance in Both

Groups ........................................ 45-47
VII. Participation in Community Activities ......... 48-54

VIII. Personal Problems and Interests of the Girls... 55-61
IX. Recreational Facilities Available for Young
People in the Commnity ....................... 62-68

X. Summary, Conclusion.and Recommendations........ 69-73

Appendix
InterVinew outline .OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO0.0.00.00... 74-75
Extra-Curricular Activities in the Schools .... 76-82

Bibliography .0OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOO000...... 83-87

.41

 

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page
"A" Control Factors Used in Study 5
'1‘ Type of Home and Amount of Entertaining

in Relief Group 24
2 Type of Home and Amount of Entertaining

in.Non-Relief Group 24
5 Type of Home wad Amount of Entertaining

for.Both Groups 24
4 The Churches Attended 45
5 The Church Attendance 46
6 Summer Sports 50
7 Movie Attendance 51
8 Summer Activities of Recreation

Department 62
9 Local N Y'A Projects 65

10 State w P A Projects 66

 

INTRODUCTION

It is recognized that the depression has left many

serious problems unsolved, and has developed many new ones.

The social and economic maladjustment of individuals who have
been.forced to depend upon the government for a livelihood causes
grave concern.to all thoughtful students of welfare. In ;
(more than.one million families in.the United States receiving
some form of governmental aid, adolescent girls are growing
to:maturity without the normal influence of parents as pro-
viders. It is during this impressionable age that future adult
behavior patterns and attitudes are formed. What then is the
effect of the loss of the breadwinner upon the social activi-

ties and relationships of these girls?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is threefold:

First, to trace the historical development of studies
of adolescence, and.to show the change of emphasis from.the
physiological and psychological approach to the present method;
of studying the adolescent in his social environment.

Second, to compare the social activities of two groups

consisting of relief and non-relief white girls,between the
ages of 13 and 18, living in the city of Lansing (Michigan).
By using the control technique of equated frequency distribu-
tion the two groups are similar in respect to age composition,
grade in school, length of reSidence in their particular area,
intelligence quotient, and.the nativity of the parents.

Third, to study the extent to Which the church, home, school

and community facilities are meeting the girls! needs.

CHAPTER I
METHODS OF STUDYi

During the summer of 1958 an interview outline was made and
tested on thirty girls in Kalamazoo (Michigan). The girls' names
were secured from.the files of the County Welfare Relief office
and personal interviews were held in their homes.

In.December, 1958, the names of white girls born between the
years 1920 to 1925, and living in Lansing (Michigan) were secured
from the master files of the Ingham County Relief Office. The
names of 142 girls were Obtained and.persona1 interviews were
held.with eighty-four of them in their homes in the evenings and
on Saturday afternoons. There was a shrinkage of thirty-four cases,
caused by inability to locate, change of address, death, marriage,
color,:misleading names, and inaccurate birth dates. In the re~
maining group of 108, fifty girls were successfully interviewed,
and after the elimination of eight girls, the final group consist-
ed of forty-two.

A control group of normal girls from.non-relief families was
secured by asking the relief group for names of friends who would
be willing to answer the same questions. After the interviews were
held with the non-relief group, the names of their parents were
checked with.the relief records, and it was found that eight famil-
ies had had relief in the past. These names were therefore discard-
ed, except in the case of two girls whose families were found to
be receiving relief. These two girls were included in the relief
group. After the two groups were matched, there remained a total

of forty-four girls in each group.

CONTROI.FACTORS: In order to make the two groups uniform and
similar for purposes of comparative study, it ianecessary to
consider and limit various extraneous factors Which affect the
girl's social participation. The first and most important factor
is to consider a similar proportion of girls of the same age in
both.groups.

The relief group showed great retardation, and five girls had to be
_excluded since none were equally retarded in the nonrrelief group.
The third factor was the intelligence quotient. There were
several girls in.the relief group with low I.Q's, and because
there were no girls with.similar low ratings to the non-relief
group, these girls were also excluded from.the final group of

forty-four.

The fourth factor was the change of address. It was felt
that similar periods of residence should have a place in each group,
because of the problems of adjustment of a girl in a new neighbor-
hood.

The fifth.factor was the nativity of the parents. The social
adjustment of a girl of foreign-born parents will be different
from that of a girl with native-born parents. Therefore an equated
frequency distribution was obtained.

A few other.factors were considered Which could not be perfect-
ly controlled. Several cases were excluded because of poor health,
broken homes, and different sources of relief.

With the exclusion of these deviations, there remained forty-
four girls in each.group.

The procedure used in the third section of this study, the

evaluation of resources, was by personal observation of the local

“Q‘

‘V

facilities. Personal interviews were obtained with the leaders
in the city recreation department, branches of the local and
state National Youth and'Works Progress Administrations,and with
teachers in the public schools, as well as directors in the churches
and the Young Womens' Christian Association.

Personal visits were made to local meeting places of the young
people, particularly the drug stores and dance halls in Lansing
and at the Lakes, and to roller skating rinks. In addition to these

the writer attended a regional conference for recreational leaders.

TABLE "A"
This table shows the equated frequency distributions used in
forming two similar and comparable groups of girls.

NON-RELIEF RELIEF
(No. of Girls)

552; 13-14 Years 12 12
l5-16 " 20 21

17-18 _ 12 11

Total II 15

School: Grammar school 1 1
Junior high l2 14

Senior " 31 29

Total II 12

.~ Besidence

Inyareawfor‘pastgyear:

Same _@) _A}
Different (40 140
Total 11 I:
Nativity gf'the Parents:
Foreign born. 5 5
Native born 39 59

Total ‘14“ '24"

INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENTS: It was thought advisable to secure in-
telligence quotients in order to determine whether the mental
age of the two groups was equal.

Permission to use the I.Q. obtained by the Department of
Education was given by the Superintendent of the Lansing Schools,
and with.the assistance of the Director of the Tests and.Measure-
monts, the grades were obtained. The scores are based on the Otis
Self-Administering Test.

There was no alphabetical card index of the students, and it
was necessary to look through lengthy reports from.the schools for
the past five years. It was possible to find only twenty grades
of the forty-four in the relief group and twenty-nine in the non-
relief group.

The average intelligence quotient for the relief group was
102.5, and for the non-relief group 104.4. However, the median
for each group was 104. The difference in the average is not
significant and it is safe to assume that the general level of in-
telligence for both.groups is equal.

As previously stated, it was necessary to eliminate several
relief girls who had a low-grade ratio. 0f the seven girls elimin-
ated, the average I.Q. was 85. For’this reason it was possible to
have the intelligence level of the two groups equal.

In this study too much.emphasis has not been placed upon tee
scores. The feeling at the present time is well stated by Dr.
Gesell, who is considered an authority in mental testing and child
development: ,

"The concept of the intelligence quotient has served an.imp
portant historical function in exposing the wide range of individual

differences among children. But we are approaching a time when
generalized quotients must be abandoned for a more analytical
application of discriminative norms to ascertain the specific
symptoms of ability and maturity."1

THE INTERVIEW SITUATION; The interviewer introduced herself as

a student from Michigan State College, whose interest was the
writing of a paper on the leisure-time activities of girls between
the ages of 13 and 18. No mention was made of the relief status of
girl unless she or some other member of the family referred to it.
In every case the interviewer was received courteously by the

girl and.her family.

At ftrSt an attempt was made to see each.girl alone, but this
was not always possible because in a great many cases the families
I lived in a one-room.shack or in small houses where it was necessary
for everyone to remain in.the same room. In several cases the
mothers were curious and remained within earshot, occasionally mak-
ing additions or corrections to the comments of the girl.

In several cases the presence of others stimulated the girl's
thinking, and often helped her to lose her timidity. This was found
particularly true in the relief group, where the girls were shy at
first, and less responsive than the non-relief girls. It was appar-
ent that they did not have the social maturity and ease in meeting
people that the control group possessed.

INTERVIEW OUTLINEEI The interview outline was used during the inter-
view and data Ere recorded on separate reports. ' The outline was found

to be better adapted to a subjective study of this nature than the

 

‘I
Gesell, Arnold, ”Appraisal of Mental Growth Careers". JOURNAL
OF CONSULTING PSYCHOLOGY, May-June 1939, pp. 73-75.

schedule type interview which Supplies objective information
in a statistical form.

The interview outline was also used in preference to a
social participation scale. 1' The value of this scale lies in
the tests of validity and reliability, and the standardization
of the test of an adult population.in the community. For this
reason the total mean score of adolescent school girls would prob-
ably have no significance. Further, the variatiOn.between individ-
ual activities of the two groups rather than between the total

participation scores was of major interest in this study.

 

Chapin, S. "Social Participation Scale", University of
Runnesota, 1957.

CHAPTER II
A SURVEY OF TRENDS IN ADOLESCENT STUDIES

Throughout history the adolescent has received attention and
has been of special interest.to the family, educators, psycholo-
gists and sociologists. At no time has the adolescent been of more
vital concern than at present. Instead of a child becoming a mem-
ber of adult society when he has passed a certain age or has de-
veloped physically to a certain point, he must pass through a long
period of transition. In a primitive tribe a child may be accepted
as a full-fledged member of society overnight with a certain amount
of initiation ceremony. In occidental civilization this entrance
requires at least five years of "growing-up".

Adolescence means growth, but as the term is used in.biology
and psychology, it defines the period of human development from the
beginning of puberty to the end of the maturation process.

The trends in the study of adolescence can be divided into
four fairly well-defined stages. There is apt to be some overlapping,
for no one period is set definitely apart from.the others.

The first studies made were of a physiological nature. Anthro-
pometrical measurements of physical growth were made, which.resu1ted
in the concept of physiological or anatomical age. In.the second
phase of the development the psychologists were interested in in-
dividual differences and this .lad to the psychological or mental
age concept. The third and.somewhat minor period consisted of studies
evolutionary in character. This resulted in the recapitulation
theory and the doctrine of"storm.and stress"and instability made fwm-
one by G. Stanley Hall. The fourth and last aspect in the study of

adolescence is in terms of the social situation.

10

Studies were at first made of the physiological nature of
adolescence. Anthropometrical measurements of physical growth
were made, which resulted in the concept of physiological or
anatomical age. It was supposed that information of psycholog-
ical value could be obtained through the careful study of all
stages and changes in physical development. Valuable as such
studies are for anatomical and biological purposes, their psychol-
ogical significance now appears to be less, and more indirect than
it was assumed twenty-five years ago. Like so many changes in the
point of view in genetic psychology, this is largely determined
by a shift of emphasis from heredity to environment. Both physical
and mental growth were accepted as determined from within.

In the second phase, the psychologists were interested in in-
dividual differences and this lead to the mental age concept through
the use of mental tests. G. S. Hall believed that mental growth
paralleled physical development. For him the se periods of retard-
ation and acceleration were just as important psychologically as
they were physically. Thinking in terms of intrinsic determination
and the recapitulation theory, he proceeded to look upon the growth
curves as a sort of graphic record of the history of the race re-
hearsed in the development of the individual.

Helen Thompson Wooley (1915) studied 5485 adolescents between
the ages of 14-18 in their work and play group. This was the first
time in history that records of physical and mental status were kept.
Results showed that working children were less superior mentally
than school children. Mental growth continues to a greater age in
school children, and for a longer length of time in superior child-
ran. She found that a good background can give to inferior children

11

the advantage of three years in educational progress by the
age of 14. She also found that the removal of an emotional
conflict will increase the IQ thirty or forty points in three
months.

The third period is dominated by recapitulation and the
”storm and stress" theories. The recapitulation theory was
first proposed by Ernest Haekel and later adopted for psychologi-
cal purposes by G. Stalney Hall, who is largely responsible for
its widespread influence and pepularity. Briefly stated in its
biological terminology - ontongeny recapitulates phylogeny. Psy-
chologically stated - the period of the individual both prenatal
and post natal, rehearses the growth stages of the race. This means
that the whole course of evolution must be rehearsed nine months
before birth. The tree-climbing activities of small children were
supposed to rehearse the tree-dwelling stage in the life of the
ancestors. Gradually the defects of this theory became apparent
and it lost popularity.

Hall also favored the "storm and stress" period of the growing
child. ‘Ybuth was characterized as a period of relative instability
and subject to internal disturbances. It is quite true that intrin-
sic defects may not become apparent until adolescent years, and it
is possible that greatertdemands and the strains of complicated life
may serve to bring out latent defects not before apparent. Epilepsy,
dementia praecox and hysteria are the three diseases of personality
:most frequently mentioned. Hall writes: "Some special forms of in-
sanity are particularly promdnent at this age, especially epileptic
neurosis..."

The fourth.and last aspect of the study of adolescence is in

12

terms of the social situation. The social aspect is in itself
a large fidd, and may be divided into three separate topics:
(1) The study of the adolescent in his own world. (2) The study of
the adolescent personality and culture. (3) The adolescent, and
the social institutions with Which.he comes in contact.
Sociologically, adolescence is a"state of mdnd", a stage of
social development. It represents an intermediate period of de-
tachment of young people from family control, and a marked de-
pendence upon their own age group before achieving the degree of
individual independence in the making of decisions characteristic
1 of adult status. The adolescent world.may be:regarded as it is
cOnceived by adolescents. As such it may be viewed objectively,
as the interests, activities, values, sentiments, attitudes and
beliefsof adolescents. These interpretations are made available
through.the study of diaries, letters and autobiographies Which re-
veal the conceptions the child has of the family, school and church,
and the feelings they have toward their rights and privileges. Re-
presentatives of these studies include H. Blumer, 1 Jessie Runner,2
E. B. Rueter, 3 and E. W. Burgess.4 Rueter sin a recent article
writes: "The belief is general that the adolescent period is one
of great internal turmoil and external disorder resulting, immediate-

1y and inevitably, from.physiological development. The behavior

 

Blumer, H. MOVIES AND CONDUCT. New Ybrk: MacMillan Co. 1953.

2
Runner, Jessie. "Social Distance in Adolescent Relationships",
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY, Vol. 43, November 1937.

3Rueter, E.B. "Adolescence", AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY,
V01. 43, PP. 414-28. ,

4Burgess, E.W. "Family Tradition and Personality Development",
NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF SOCIAL WORK, 1928, p. 322.

5Rueter. EoB- "Adolescence", AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY,
Vol. 45, pp. 414-28.

13

phenomenon of adolescent years seems to be culturally determined, but
it has not been studied on that level, and as a result, is imperfect-
ly'understood.”

Jessie Runner who is especially interested in the adolescent
world, writes the following: ’"Documents written by adolescents show
that the social aspect of‘the situation and environment forms the
predominating interest of draperiod. Mbst of the writing shows the
changing nature of the individual'ssocial life and relationships".

5 From.the standpoint of the mental, emotional, and social de-1
velopment of the person, his transition.from.childhood into the adult
world is culturally determined. In this sense adolescence is a period
between childhood and adulthood where adjustment to new social situa-
tions and relationships is necessary. The social experience begins
when society no longer looks upon the person as a child, but expects
him to assume certain adult responsibilities. The adolescent often
thinks of himself as an.adult, but to his family and to his friends
he is still a child. No doubt this conflict of roles is in a large
part responsible for the strange phenomenon of the adolescent period
in American culture.

According to present western culture, adolescence terminates
at many different points. The child matures physically first; then
educationally. Next comes acceptance in industry; then marriage and
family responsibilities. After 18 years the courts recognize him
as an.adult offender, and finally at twenty-one he is permitted to
vote as a citizen. As a result of these different periods of accep-
tance the child may experience strain in his attempt to meet the re-
quirements necessary for his proper adjustment. Often the strain

proves too great, and conflict and anti-social behavior results.

14

In America, social institutions sanction certain forms of
behavior with which adolescents are expected to conform. The eight
major institutions which impose restrictions or obligations are
the home, school, church, business, recreation, welfare, government
and the neighborhood.

These institutions should not be considered by young people
only in terms of duties, but rather as opportunities for development.
Theseinstitutions should also serve a functional rather than a for-

mal purpose .

15

CHAPTER III
FAMILY HISTORIES OF THE GIRLS ON RELIEF

Brief histories of the families on relief were secured
at the Ingham County Relief Office. No information of this kind
was available for the non-relief group.
HISTORY'QE'REIJEF IN LANSING: Relief was handled by the City Wel-
fare Department until August, 1935, when the Ingham.County Relief
Commdssion was formed. By March, 1934, however, both city and
rural cases became the responsibility of the county agency. This
change in supervision was a result of the program created by the
Federal Government in May, 1933. The Federal Emergency Relief Act
authorized the Federal Emergency Relief Administration to disburse
$500,000,000 of the funds of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation
to the states for relief purposes. No one expected this would be
more than a temporary measure when it was inaugurated six years ago.
LENGTH _C_)_I_i‘. TIME _T}_1;E_ FAMILIES REE 3N- RELIEF: The average length
of time during which the families received relief was five years and
seven months. Two of the families have received relief for the past
eighteen years.
PARENTS'_A§§; The fathers' ages range from.thirty-five to sixty-
seven years; the average is forty-four years and seven months. The
mothers' ages vary from.thirty-three to sixty-nine years, and the
average is forty-three years and six.months.
EDUCATION: The average school grades completed were eight and a
half for the men, and seventh and a half for the women. Two of the
mothers attended normal school for one year.

PARENTS' OCCUPATION: Fifty-four per cent of each group have fathers

 

who are, or have been employed in a phase of the auto industry in

 

."

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NI

'0'

1 J

16

Lansing. The factors involved in the forming of the two groups,
non-relief and relief, are too complex to state in a few sentences.
The complexities of modern industrial and business life are better
explained by the economists. A man may be hired on the 15th of the
month, and later an order may come from the main office to dismiss
all men hired after the 15th. Back of that order are factors over
which no worker has control.

A large group of men on relief had been formerly employed in
the building trades. Paradoxically, there is a great need for
building and inmrovements in housing conditions, yet these men,
who have been trained to do that work are idle.

In the non-relief group, 9% of the mothers are employed in
clerical or sales positions. In all cases where the mother was em-
ployed, such employment was necessary because of the low income of
the father. The question arises whether the employment of these
women keeps the family from relief rolls. None of the mothers in
the relief group were employed. This was caused largely by the lack
of training, scarcity of jobs, and the burden of caring for large
families.

HEALTH: Health is a very important consideration, particularly when
it prevents the head of the family from working. Mr. Y's health was
described in the case record as follows: "Since his second marriage
he has had an appendicitis operation, scarlet fever, a broken leg,
and general lameness from lead poisoning." 1

One father recently died of an intestinal tumor, and another died
of "stomach trouble". Several suffered from ulcers of the stomach,
gall bladder trouble, tumor on the shoulder, double ruptures, blood

poisoning, neuritis, rheumatism, and varicose veins.

 

 

17

Among the women the most common complaint was some form of
"nervous disturbance", usually caused by too frequent childbirths.

In addition to diseases of the "female organs", the following were
very common complaints: poor teeth, rheumatism, goiter, appendicitis,
diabetes and heart trouble.

ATTITUDES‘AN2.HABITS 0F THE_PARENTS: It is desirable to understand
the habits and attitudes of the parents as recorded in the case re-
cords. The attitudes and personal habits of the client were often
distorted by the personal feelings of the sometimes untrained case
worker toward the client.

An attempt by the nether to keep the home cheerful and the
atmosphere pleasant is mentioned in several cases. It seemed as
though the women were better able to retain an optimistic attitude
and a faith that their husbands would again be employed. Bitterness
on the father's part was frequently mentioned because of his ina-
bility to locate a job. This feeling often took the form.of morose-
ness, irritability, and depressed spirits.

There were not more than one or two cases where the case-

worker felt there was a misrepresentation of income.

SIBLINGS: In order to gain a complete picture of the girl in her
family setting, it is necessary to consider her brothers and sisters.
The average girl in the relief family had fbur siblings, and in 50%
of the cases, the girls interviewed were either the oldest or the
second oldest in the family.

111 health appeared with greater frequency among the younger
children. This may have been because approximately half of the
children, seven years old or less have lived on a relief diet all

their lives. Common diseases among the children are headaches,

18

eyestrain,.g§r§§§sg throat diseases, appendicitis, rheumatic fever,
tuberculosis, diabetes, eczema, tumor growths, weak hearts, "nervous
breakdown", speech defects, and epileptic fits.

One girl interviewed, whom we shall call Verna, had a brother
who had a "nervous breakdown" while working on a farm. A year
later he had a job in the city and fainted the first day of work.
He tried to get another job in a factory. 'When he refused to leave
at closing time, the police were called, and he told them he had
"murdered his entire family". He was taken to Kalamazoo State
Hospital where he remained for a short while. He apparently re~
covered and now has NYA employment.

Verna's other brother was arrested for burglary. He was on
probation from the juvenile court, and as a result of this offense
he was sent to the Reformatory at Ionia.

Lois has a brother who was sent to the Boys' Vocational School
on a truancy charge. Later he was sent to Ionia for stealing and
robbery armed. At the time of his release he was sent to a CCC camp,
where he was dishonorably discharged for bringing a girl into camp
and stealing a camp truck. While working on a work relief project
he stabbed a man in the face with a pitchfork. Later he stole some
tools and.was sent to Jackson. A sister was sent to a home for
incorrigible girls. In spite of this record Lois has shown no
delinquent tendencies, and the case record mentions her very fine
and helpful attitude, particularly as an interpreter to her Polish

parents.

COURT RECORD: Eleven per cent of the fathers in the relief group

had been brought into court, primarily on charges of drunkenness.

19

The most serious offense committed was imprOper conduct toward
a minor by a father who had been drinking, and as a result he was
sent to Jackson prison.

Mildred's father was arrested several times for operating a
gambling establishment, and for drunkenness. 'Catherine's father
was arrested for disorderly conduct while drunk.

One mother was reported to the police for disorderly conduct
while drunk.-r

It is significant to note that in spite of the frequency of
offenses among parents and siblings, no delinquency was reported

among the fifty girls interviewed.

NARITAL_§ITUATIQN: In 24% 0f the relief families, some form.

of overt disharmmy among the menbers of the family was recorded.
Two of the families were broken by divorce, one by separation, four
families had one or two remarriages, and in four other families di-
vorce proceedings had been started but never completed.

For example, there is the case of Verna's father, who started
divorce proceedings "in desperation over financial failure". One
day while shaving, he became nervous and overwrought, and threw the
razor at the children.

Fern's mother cannot endure her husband because "all he does
is sit". Frieda's father left her mother because she "nagged him
all the time".

Alta's father deserted his large family and lived in Detroit
with another woman, who gave birth to an illegitimate baby. At

the same time two of Alta's sisters were illegitimately pregnant.

NATIONALITY: Exactly 11% in both groups had either one or both

 

20

foreign-born parents. In the non-relief group were parents
from.Czecho-Slovakia, Scotland, Greece, Assyria and England.
The relief group had in it four from Italy, one from Poland,
and Germany.

With.one exception there was an evidence of family solidarity.
Although two of Lois' brothers and one sister had been in court,
there was a very kindly feeling among the members of the family.
Eileen said that her father, who had been born in Greece, did not
"mix" very well with her friends. He preferred to stay alone in
the kitchen. However, she got along very well with him, and said
that he was the "best cook in the world".

21

CHAPTER :nr
COMPARATIVE STUDY'OF THE HOME SITUATION

IN BOTH GROUPS
gz2§§UQEH§QM§: In this study it was found that the girls lived
in three types of dwelling places. The smallest and least private
was the rented room where plumbing facilities were usually found
elsewhere in the house. The flat or apartment afforded more privacy
and was in most cases an independent and private unit of two or three
rooms. The third type was the separate house. Each of these were
graded on four degrees of habitation» the "satisfactory", the "fair",
the"poor” and "very poor". - .

In.the classification of "satisfactory" homes, the following
factors were considered: comfortable and adequate furniture, without
particular regard to newness and style; the presence of a rug or car-
pet on the floor; and the walls and woodwork in good repair. Also
important was the general atmosphere of personal planning in regard
to color and the arrangement of the furniture.

A "fair” home was me with neat, clean and adequate furniture.

A "Poor" home was one where dirt and dust had accumulated, with no
rug on.the floor, and worn, broken furniture. A ”very poor" house
was one where all personal pride and attempts to keep it clean and
livable were lacking. In this group there were usually electric
lights but an.absence of plumbing.

According to this crude type of classification the following re-
sults were found. Very briefly stated, 95% of the non-relief group
lived in either satisfactory or fair types of dwellings, and 52%
of the relief group lived in dwellings of a similar type. The re-
maining groups of 5% and 48% lived in.dwellings of a poor or very

22

poor tgpe. The differences were tested and found to be signi-
ficant. Eleven per cent of the relief group and 9% of the non-
relief group lived in apartments or separate rooms. The remaining
group lived in one family dwellings.

The families on relief have a difficult time in locating houses
of a satisfactory nature because of the high.rent. For example,
Beulah, who comes from a relief family, lives in a "run-down" house
located one block from.the State Welfare offices. The house, ac-
cording to the record, is condemned by the city because of ins
sanitary plumbing conditions, but the family was "overjoyed at
finding a house with such cheap rent".

ENTERTAINMENT IN.T§§“§QE§: One of the greatest and most important
differences between the two groups is the extent of home entertainment.
72% of the girls in the non-relief group and 22% of the relief group
feel free to have their friends come to their home at any time. This
difference of 50% is very significant.

The girls in the relief group complain of the presence of too
many members in the family and consequent lack of room for their
company. Many of the homes offer nocfacilities for guests, and fre-
quently living rooms and dining rooms have beds in.them. Other re-
lief homes have only a.few chairs to seat guests. Some girls are
ashamed of their homes, and are reluctant to have their friends see
' them.

Many of the girls have never given a party. Several of the older
girls said they went to more parties than they gave. Others said.
they were not invited to parties because they would not be able to
invite the girls in return.
‘“_ VIArkin.& Colton, STATISTICAL METHODS, New York: Barnes, 3rd
Edition, 1958. p. 125.

 

25

TYPE OF HOME AND.AMOUNT OF ENTERTAINMENT: In order to ascertain

the statistical correlation between the type of home and the

amount of entertaining done in the home, the coefficient of con-
tfigency 1 was used because it is the correlation of attributes or
associations. The coefficient of association (of mean-square con-
tflgency) is based upon a comparison of the number of cases actually
occurring in a given box or cell, and the number of cases which
would occur in the cell due to chance or a comparison of the actual
distribution and the distribution occurring when there is no associa-
tion.

The four types of classifications of homes is used in this
table: satisfactory, fair, poor, and very poor. The girls who live
in rooms or apartments were not included in this correlation, be-
cause the limited space of the living quarters offered another factor.

In order to use a 4 x 4 table, four degrees of entertaining
were arranged in.the following order: first, very frequently, second,

frequent; third, infrequent, and last, none. The following tables
show the distributions.

 

1
Yule, G.U. THEORY OF STATISTICS. p. 65.

TABLE 1:

24

The contfgency table shows the correlation between the

’ type of home and the amount of entertaining among the

relief girls.
TYPE OF HOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

e T .1 -2 TOTAII

2 6' 1 o o 7"

AMOUNT OF 1 e: 1 1 _O 71.
-1 :5“ e 4 7 2O

ENTERTAINING -2 o O ‘O 4 4“
: 14 e 5‘ 11‘“ “33‘

 

Correlation equals .65

TABLE 2.

KEY

HOME:
Satisfacto
Fair '
Poor
Very Poor

ENTERTAINMENT:
“very frequent
Frequent
Infrequently
None

 

The contigency table Shows the correlation between the

type of bone and the amount of entertaining among the

girls in the non-relief group.
TYPE 9_F_ HOME!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a I .1 :2 Town:
ANOUNT OF “‘Tao 2 o o 22
’1‘“? 5 1 :1? I}:
ENTERTAINING 4-1 3” o “ o g *5
:2 o 1 o o T
f 50* k e l I. ‘ 40‘“
Correlation is .47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE 5. The contigency table shows the correlation between the
type of home and the amount of entertaining done by the
girls in both groups.

TYPE QE'HDME
2 9;_1} 41' -2 TOTALA_
2’ 26_g3 0 O 29
AMOUNT OF ”T 12 6 2 1 1 21
_:1 6 6 4* 7 25
ENTERTAINING ~2’ O ‘I’ O 4 5
“'— 44 16 6 12 k '78
Correlation is .59

. vaW"
I“!

25

The correlation in the first group is .65. This is highly
significant as tested by the Chi Square test of Significance.

It means that this distribution of figures could occur less than
one chance in a hundred. It must be remembered that the coefficient
of contffiency when.used in a 4 x 4 table cannot exceed a maximum_
value of .866. Consequently there is a high correlation between the
type of home and amount of entertaining.

The correlation in the second table is .47. When.this was tested
it was found not to be significant. The chances of this distribution
occurring by chance are fifteen in one hundred times. It will be
noticed in the table that all the girls come from good homes with
the exception of two girls. All the girls who live in good homes
do a great deal of entertaining. As a result this correlation is
not significant.

The third table shows a composite of the two tables. The cor-
relation was found to be more than midway between the two other
correlations, .59. This was tested for significance, and with a larg-
er parent group was found to be very significant and would not likely
occur one chance in two hundred.

PARTICIPATION'IE.EAMILY ACTIVITIES: It was found that 31% of the

 

non-relief group and 18% of the relief group participated in re-
creational activities with their parents. The differences between
the two groups in percentages are not Significant. However, it
is significant that there is so small a proportion in each.group
active in family affairs. It is evident that there is a lack of
common interest between the two generations.

One of the factors that promote family activity is the automo-
bile. 79% of the non-relief and 52% of the relief group own cars.

26

The car serves as a means of visiting relatives, taking trips, or
going on picnics.

During the recent winter, the most popular pastime among all
the families was Chinese Checkers. Several mothers said the game
kept the children out of mischief. It served as a common link
between parents and children.

mm; Twenty per cent of the girls on relief and 45% of

the non-relief girls have their own rooms. This difference was

tested and found to be highly significant. In the latter group

two of the girls sleep with their mothers and a third with-her

grand mother. In all three cases the fathers and the grandfather

lives at home. There are younger brothers in the family who evident-

ly sleep with their fathers. This shows that there is crowding among

families not on relief. None of the relief girls slept with their

mothers. However, three of the girls said they slept with two

younger sisters, thus making three in a bed. In several cases where-

the families were large, the entire attic .or upstairs was curtained

into two parts, one side for the boys and the other for the girls.
One of the first steps taken by a family finding it necessary

to go on relief, is to secure a smaller and a cheaper dwelling.

As a result, there is a great deal of unhealthful overcrowding

and lack of privacy‘.

w DUTIES: This study shows that the relief girl assumes house-

hold duties and more responsibility at an earlier age than non-re-

lief girls. 58% of the relief girls and only 11% of the non-relief

group had almost full responsibility of the home. This figure is

highly significant. Duties consisted of caring for-younger children

2'7

washing the dishes and general cleaning.

Thirty-four per cent of the non-relief group and 20% of the
relief group had no responsibility in the home. This difference is
not statistically significant. _ I

It is commonly believed that the early responsibility of house-
work matures a girl. It is true that the girls in the relief group
have more responsibility and may be more capable in housework, but
they have neglected social contacts, and have not learned to mature
in an adult social world. This lack of sociability and social
maturity evidenced during the interview, was shown by a lack of poise,

uneasiness and difficulty in conversing.

HEALTH 92 THE W‘ The health of the girls would be difficult to
diagnose, except by a physician's examination. Because such an ex-
amination was not feasible, the'health ratings are not completely
accurate. A

Health was rated according to the number of days or length
of period they were absent from school because of ill health.
The period of absence varied from a week, a month, and a year, and
the health was graded according to good, fair or poor. The latter
group included the more chronic forms of diseases. Several girls
were excluded at the beginning of the study because _it was felt
that their social behavior was largely determined by their health
rather than their economic condition. This is especially true in
the case of an epileptic, a girl with a speech defect, and another
with a hyperthyroid condition accompanied by overweight.

Good health was found in 86% of the non-relief cases and in 61%
of the relief group. This figure when tested for significance,
proved it could occur one per cent of the time. It will then be

el

28

correct to assume that good health is more predominant in the non-
relief group than in the relief group. Poor health was found in
only 2% of the non-relief cases and in 18% of the relief girls. This
is also statistically significant.

In regard to the types of disease and sickness, the following
were found:

Two relief girls were recovering from serious cases of eczema
on the face and arms. Arleen, whose family first applied for relief
eighteen years ago, appeared very weak and tired as a result of
rheumatic fever. However, she is active on a committee in the Girls'
League, and expects to graduate from high school in June.

Mary J. is from a relief family. She had St. Vitus dance (Syden-
hans chores) when she was young. As a result she has missed two years
of school, and dislikes it heartily because she is retarded. In the
non-relief group there is Frances who also had the same nervous dis-
ease. She, however, missed only one-half of a semester of school.

Her mother said whenever Frances showed a facial tic they bought

an expensive bottle of medicine which the doctor recommended. Frances'
recovery seems to have been more rapid than was Mary's. It is possible
that conditions which help in the thorough recovery from a nervous
disease of this type were not present in Mary's home. _It is necessary
that the patient have complete rest and quiet, a healthful diet, and
good care. In a small house with a large family it is impossible to
secure the proper amount of sleep and rest, and equally impossible to

plan an adequate diet on a relief budget.

LETTER ERITLING: The accuracy of the figures in regard to this act-
ivity are doubtful. Most of the girls were unable to state the amount

l;-

29

or extent of their letter writing. 57% of the girls in non-relief
families wrote one or more letters a week as compared to 50% on
relief. Lois was asked if she wrote letters, and She frankly ad-
:mitted that she knew no one to write to. Netty said she wrote to
four or five boys in the CCC camp each week. Netty has been ill.the
major portion of her life, and as a result is retarded in school.
Because of this she dislikes it. She goes with an older group of
girls and boys outside of school; since most of’the boys are from
out of town, she writes to them. She:§§§§)satisfaction as well as
recognition from this. According to the case record, the father and
mother have violent quarrels, and the home situation is not always
pleasant. The outlet for her possible unhappiness in the home is
through letter writing.

Flossie said she wrote to the radio stations, but has never re-
ceived a reply. None of the girls mentioned the cost of postage as
a.factor in not writing letters. The main reason given was that they
had no friends outside the city. Eighteen per cent of the relief girls
had never written a letter in their life, and many said.they would not
know how.
2;§E§_WRITING: Twenty per cent of the girls in non-relief families
kept diaries as compared with.4% on relief. The first group said
they had.no time or forgot to do it, and the other group said they
had nothing to write about. One of‘the girls on relief did.not know
what a diary was. Several of the girls said they had no privacy, and
their brothers and.sisters read what they wrote.

In order to determine whether there was a coefficient of correla-
tion between writing in a diary and having an own room, 2 x 2 contih-

genoy tables were used. However, the correlation in the non-relief

‘1

h

50

group was not significant, and the sample was too small to use in
the relief group.
Diary writing at the present time consists of a few lines in a
five-year diary. Events of the day are listed, and no attempt is made

by the girls to write lengthy paragraphs about their thoughts and atti-
tudes.

CULTURAL ACTIVITY: Fifty-two per cent of the girls in the non-relief
group played some form of a musical instrument as compared to 22% of
the relief group. This difference is statistically significant. The
most popular were the piano, stringed instruments and wind instruments
in both groups. One girl in the non-relief group sings both.in a trio
with a dance band, and often on the radio.

Eighteen per cent of the girls in.non-relief families did some form
of art work at home, and were especially interested in it. Only 4%
of the relief group were so inclined. Only one girl in the relief
group as compared to three in the non-relief group wrote poetry or
stories at home.

Sewing was done by 10% more in the non-relief group than in the
relief group. 50% of the girls in the non-relief group made their own
dresses or other wearing apparel. The excuse or reason given for not
sewing by the relief girls was that they had no sewing machine. Sew-
ing machines are an expensive investment. This group would be helped
if machines were available at a low rental charge, to be used in their
tone or in a community center. Many girls and mothers would avail
themselves of the opportunity to make their own clothes. In this way
'uuagirls would develOp a useful art and be happier in designing their

own clothes.

 

 

 

Al h

 

 

51

READING HABITS: Both groups had the same taste in books. This is
probably due to similar educational backgrounds. Thefhvorite author
was Zane Gray, and in second place was Louisa Alcott. Their choice
of types of stories were also similar. First, they preferred "ex-
citing murder mysteries", and second, stories about college and
girls' boarding schools. The names of the great authors, Tennyson,
Shakespeare, Dickens and Scott were mentioned only by the relief
grOup. The girls in the non-relief group were more familiar with
contemporary women writers, such as Margaret Mitchell, Edna Ferber,
Bess Streeter Aldrich, Pearl Buck, Kathleen Norris,and Agatha Chris-
tie. The reason for this difference may be caused by the fact that
the relief girls do not have access to popular new novels. The
nonprolief group has parents and.friends who frequently buy new books.
This group was better able to name authors and titles. The girls on
relief said.they chose the book by its cover, its name, or its inter-
esting appearance.

Mbst of the books were secured through the public school library.
Caroline, who has been on relief less than a year because of her
father's death, rents books from the rental library. She said she
had to pay 49¢ for the "Citadel", but fortunately she borrowed
”Gone With.The Wind" from.a friend. Thirty—Six per cent of both
groups read.one or more books a week. The greatest difference be-
tween the two groups was that 18% of the relief group never reads
a book as compared to 2% of the non-relief girls.

MAGAEINE READING: A greater variety of tastes was Shown in

the selection of magazines, as well as the number read by each group.
Ninety-six per cent of the girls in the non-relief group read maga-
zines, as compared to 28% of the relief group. This is very signi-

ficant. Mbst of the girls in.both.groups Ineferred to read magazines

Ian

I): . a

 

 

 

52

to books. While the non-relief group subscribed or bought magazines
at the newsstands, the relief group usually received their magazines
second hand from relatives and friends.

The favorite magazine in the relief group is "True Story". The
girls said they liked the stories because they are "so exciting".
Otbrs said that it was the only magazine their mothers bought.

The favorite magazine in the non-relief was the "American".

As a general type, both groups liked the women's magazines, such as
“Good Housekeeping","McCalls", and the "Woman's Home Companion".

In addition the non-relief girls mentioned the higher priced women's
magazines.

In second place, the relief group liked the weeklies, such as
"Colliers", "Liberty", and"Saturday Evening Post". The non-relief
girls preferred the monthly magazines, and the home type, such as
"Better Homes and Gardens","Parents" and "Cosmopolitan". Three of
the girls in this group liked the "American Boy", because of the
athletic stories. A

NEWSPAPER READING: The girls were asked what they read in the news-
papers. The usual response from the girl, as well as her family,

was a laugh, and after a hesitation, she would say the "funnies".
Rose was the only girl in the total number of interviews who said
she did not like the "funnies". She was'also the only girl who sub-
scribed to ”Time” magazine at school. Probably because she was in
the relief group, she may have been influenced by her home situation
toward a mature and serious outlook upon life. Her mother and father
had been divorced within the past month, and because her mother did

not like housework, Rose was responsible for the entire care of the

 

33

house and children. She said that her younger sister considered
her the mother rather than her actual mother. Rose had a serious
and pessimistic philosophy. She was annoyed by the attempt of

the “funnies" to be humorous, and hated the movies and.dance music.

The newspaper subscriptions among the relief group were rather
high. Seven of the twenty-seven subscribers, or 15% of the 61% of
the relief group who took newspapers, subscribed to two dailies.
There were only two families in the control group that did not take
a paper. For>this reason this group was better able to mention more
parts of the paper read.

The second choice by both groups was the front page, particularly
the lower-half section which contains the stories of local auto
accidents. In third place were special features, such as Dorothy
Dix and Dr. Brady. This was the extent of the material read by the _
relief girls; the other group mentioned the society page, school news,
editorials and the serial story.

EAQIQ; Every family that was interviewed had a radio, and several
of the non-relief girls had one in their bedroom.

The girls in the relief group follow the radio very closely, and
”some of’the girls hinted that they remain home from.achool in order
to listen to a particular serial story in the morning.

Kathleen. a quiet, bashful girl, who had answered_the questions
with a faintly audible "Yes” or "No”, was asked What radio programs
she liked the best. Immediately she sat up straight, her eyes bright-
ened, and she forgot the filthy house and her five or six younger
brothers and sisters, and spent twenty mdnutes telling the details
of her favorite serial, "Life Can Be Beautiful". To Kathleen, this
particular story was the greatest experience in her life. It made

her forget her own sordid surroundings as she imagined herself in

 

11‘]

34

the role of the girl in the story.

A popular feature of the social life of several girls, particu-
larly those on relief, was membership in a radio club, which are
sponsored by advertisers on the radio.

The most popular programs of the non-relief groups were the
dramatic hours in the evening of the Lux Theatre and Orson Welles.

The relief group was dependent upon the radio as a means of enter-
tainment to a far greater degree than the non-relief group. This

latter group accepted the radio as a supplement to an evening's enter-

tainment .

SPENDINE m: There are fowmethods or arrangements by which girls
receive their spending money; first, a regular allowance; second,

some girls ask their parents, preferrably their mother because she
understands the needs of girls; third, some girls earn their own
spending money; and last, the girls who have no money to spend.

In the non-relief group, 18% of the girls received an allowance
which ranged from fifty cents to $1.50, or an average of eighty-four
cents a week. Seventy-seven per cent of the same group asked their
parents for money, and spent from twenty-five cents to $4.00 a week,
an average of $1.21 per week. Four per cent of the girls in the non-
relief group earned their own money by playing in an orchestra, by
giving piano lessons, singing on the radio, taking care of children,
and clerking in a shae store. There were no girls in this group
Without spending money.

No girls in the relief group received an allowance from their
Parents. Sixty-eight per cent of them asked their parents for money,
twenty-one per cent were almost self-supporting, and 11% had no spend-

ing money. The girls in this group earned money by taking care of

 

35

children and doing housework. Only one girl in this group was
completely self-supporting. She did not attend school, and earned
$45m00 a month as a waitress in a hospital.

Mbst of the money that the girls earned was spent on shows, candy,
cosmetics and stockings .

Two of the relief girls were employed in School Aid under the
NYAe Both of these girls were well chosen for the position. Frances
came from.a family with.high standards, which had been on relief less
than.a year. Application for relief was necessary because of a ner-
vous breakdown of the father. Frances, throughout high school, had
gone with a large group of girls, and often entertained them.in her
home. She is president of the Latin Club, and a good scholar. The
small NYA check each month helps her to maintain her former relation-
ships with the girls.

Beulah is also on NYA. Her home is marked by discord, quarrels,
and overcrowding. Her parents report that she has delinquent tenden-
cies, and they are not able to manage her. They complain that she
stays out late and likes to dance, and has no consideration for them.
It is possible that the use and handling of her own money will ob-
tain for her a satisfaction which.her family relationship is not able
to give her.

QQOTHES: Over 50% of the non-relief group were interested in
clothes and boys. In a high school girl's mind the two are almost
impossible to separate. Most of the girls believe that girls dress
in order to please the boys. Hewever, one girl differed, who said
older girls, particularly, dress to please other women, because they

are the only ones Who know what is good style. She thought that the

«'56.

younger girls dress "to attract rather than to please".

The majority of the girls felt there were no reasons for a girl
to be untidy in her appearance. The basic costume for high school
girls is a sweater and skirt, which may be purchased for as little
as 50¢ for the sweater, and $1.00 for the skirt. The over-dressed
girl was more often criticised than the girl with poor clothes. There
seemed to be a tendency among the relief girls to wear fancy silk
dresses, which usuallylooked cheap, and were of poor wearing quality.
However, some of the younger girls on relief wore made-over dresses
of heavy velveteen and wool. The buying and the selection of clothes
is a worthwhile subject for study in the school clubs and domestic
science classes, especially where' economy is necessary.

As serious as the clothing problem may be in some cases, it is
not as vital as the problem of stockings. If a girl from a non-re-
lief family discovers a run in her stockings she is annoyed, but a
girl on relief is desperate. Stockings are the greatest expense in
the girls' budget. At present it seems to be the fashion to wear
the sheerest hose possible in order to give the appearance of no
hose. These seldom last more than a week, and cost from 44¢ to 79¢
a pair. Fortunately, the wearing of ankle socks may eliminate this
serious problem. However, both are worn by the older girls because

the teachers and principals object to bare legs.

HOBBIES: Twenty-two per cent of the non-relief girls and 9% of
the other group had sons form of a hobby; this difference is not
statistically significant. However, there was no one in either club
who had an outstanding hobby which developed a skill or an art.

The following hobbies were found in both groups: souvenirs of

parties and dances, scrapbooks of movie stars, news,and religion.

n r.

37

The lack of hobbies among the girls shows a need for develop-
ment in the training of girls in specialized crafts and useful arts.

SMOKING: Eighty per cent of the girls from the relief group and
seventy-five per cent of the girls from the non-relief group dislike
smoking. The general response to the question, "What do you think
about smoking?" brought a frank disapproval by both groups. The
feeling was general and seemed to be genuine, although there is danger
is asking a question of this type that the girls will give the answer
they think the interviewer will approve rather than the true answer.
Girls are somewhat more lenient in regard to smoking among older women
but very strict among their friends. There were varying estimates
about the number of girls that smoked in their school; some had seen
no smoking, others thought at least three-fourths of the girls smoked.

Beaulah, from a relief family, was the only girl who said she
had been a heavy smoker. However, she had just given it up because
a medical examination revealed that she had a weak heart.

The girls were. asked why they opposed smoking, and many of the
objections were based on what most of the girls believed to be a
moral question. Virginia, who had recently broken away from the
Latter Day Saints Church (Mormon) to one of a more evangelistic type,
said that she objected to smoking for religious reasons. Other
comments included, "Looks terrible", "smoking belongs to men", "it
makes a girl look tough", cheapens her", "not the thing todo because
my mother does not like it".

With regard to drinking, all the girls disapproved except three
in the relief group and four girls in the non-relief group. Betty
Surprised two of her friends by saying that a glass of beer now and
then was all right. A girl whose father was a heavy drinker said

g" 1"

38

she hated drinking because it lead to drunkenness. Elsie disliked
drinking because it caused a girl to lose her dignity. Only one
girl objected to drinking on the basis of health.

The girls were not anxious to<iiscuss"necking", either because
it had been.discussed too much in the charm.and social clubs in
school, or they considered it a personal matter. However, there
was a general feeling that some girls "went too far", and the very

popular girl with many dates usually had to "neck" and "pet" to have

the large number of dates.

39

CHAPTER V

ACTIVITIES OF THE GIRLS IN THE SCHOOLS

PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOIj ACTIXLITIES: There are 52% non-relief and

25% relief girls who participate in extra~curricu1ar activities in
the school. This difference between the groups is statistically

very significant. This same percentage carries through in the number
of clubs represented and the. club memberships in the school. The girls
not interested in club work consisted of 29% of the non-relief youp
and 41% of the relief group. This figure is not significant. 22%

of the relief group and 18% of the non-relief group attended West
Junior High where no extra-curricular activities were offered except
as a’ part of the regular class work.

There was a total of 24 different clubs to which girls in both
groups belonged, but only six clubs had girls from both groups. The
six clubs where there was a common membership are a Birthday Club in
the grammar school, with a large membership of all the pupils in the
grade; Embroidery Club, Tappette, Swingsters, Girl Reserves, and
Commerce Club.

The clubs to which non-relief girls belong exclusively, are:
Auditorium, Life-Saving, Honor Society, Spanish, French, Tumbling,
Servidor, Sophomore Sophisticates, Art, Debettes, Travel, Mix-Masters,
Typography, and Soap Carving.

The relief girls belong to: Scrapbook Club, Home Flaming, Latin
and Bible Club. The assistant principal at one of the high schools
said that the Bible Club membership was composed largely of students
from the relief families.

It will be. seen that the non-relief girls belong to a much great-

er variety of clubs. They tend to be more exclusive in nature and

 

 

4O

limited in their membership, in contrast to the club membership
of the relief girls. ‘

LBADERSHIP IN THE SCHOOLS: Twenty-nine per cent of the nonerelief
and.nine per cent of the relief girls hold an official position in
the school or in.clubs. This figure is statistically highly signi-
ficant. The positions held by the non-relief girls were as follows:
secretary of the Auditorium.Club, vice-president of the Junior Class,
publicity chairman.for the Girls' Athletic Association, a representa-
tive of the Student Council, secretary of the Sophomore Sophisticates,
social chairman of the Debettes, vice-president of the Art Club, and
a representative on the school Judiciary Board.

In addition to the formal organized activities, the‘girls are
active in band, orchestra, athletics and newspaper work.

The positions held by the four relief girls are as follows:
president of the letin.Club, secretary of the Girl Reserves, secre-
tary of the Commerce Club, and a member of the Service Committee
in the Girls' League. In addition a few girls were active in band,

orchestra and athletics.

ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOliDANCES AND FOOTBALL GAMES: Sixty-nine per cent
of the non-relief group and 29% of the relief group attend dances and
parties. Several of the schools sponsor hour dances in the afternoon
or at the noon hour, and the admission is five or ten cents. The
girls are encouraged to go alone and become acquainted with others.
most of the relief group frankly admitted they did not have the money
to spend for the dances. Others showed a dislike for the girls who
attended the dances. Some did not attend'because their parents did
not approve of dancing.

, .l" 4'

41

Betty's father thought that dancing was sinful. He ”also thought
that radio programs were "bad" because they often mentioned umnarried
mothers.l

Although attendance at the football games is more general in
both groups, it is significantly higher in the non-relief group.
Eighty-four per cent of the non-relief, and 47% of the relief group
attended the games.

Admission to file games is through a General Organization ticket
book which costs $3.50 a semester, or may be bought at twenty-five cents
a week. The assistant principal at one of the high schools said that
arrangements were often made for students who were unable to pay the .
fees.

BEASONS FOR NOT PARTICIPATING IN SCHOOL CLUBS: Both groups gave
common reasons for not joining clubs. The first reason was that the
girls needed the period for studying. The non-relief girls thought
the clubs were uninteresting, and were better suited to younger girls.
Among the girls on relief the following reasons were given: Ross said
she did not have time. In addition to almost complete responsibility
at home, she cleans the office of a cleaning establishment from 7:00
to 7:30 in the morning.dThe rest of the time she devotes to studying
and violin lessons.

Netty, who is retarded in school because of ill-health, has to
spend her time in make-up work.

Lois wanted to join the Girl Scouts, but because of the high fees
she joined the Girl Reserves. Alta, who comes from a family, three of
whom have illegitimate children, wanted to join the Girl Scouts

I _ a-

It is interesting to note that one of this man's sons was
sentenced for stealing a car.

 

42
but was told by her teacher she should join the Girl Reserves. She
did not want to do this, and is not a member of any organization.

Katherine,who is secretary of the Commerce Club, said that girls
did not join clubs because they are bashful, and need the time for
studying.

Arleen thought that girls did not join clubs because they were
not interesting to the girls, and'because girls who did not belong
to certain cliques are not admitted. This important but subtle
barrier to membership was also discussed by Elizabeth, who has recent-
ly graduated from.high school. She said clubs at a certain school
were entirely controlled by large cliques of girls who control the
club offices and membership.

ATTITUDE TOWARD SCHOOIfiI The attitude toward school was loosely
divided into three sections; those who liked it, those who were in-
different, and those who disliked it. It was comparatively easy to
judge whether a girl was sincerely interested in school by the manner
in which she answered questions. Almost 50% of the girls in each group
liked school and were genuinely interested. Several relief girls were
happiest going to school.

Thirty per cent of each group were indifferent, and the others
disliked it. The only difference between the groups was that the girls
in the relief group quit school if they did not like it, and in the
other group the girls continued until they graduated.

Kathleen-left school in the ninth grade. She said she did not
get along very well with.the teachers and disliked the subjects.

Maria is an example of a girl who has directed all her energy

toward her school work as a compensation for an unsatisfactory home

 

I

 

43

situation. She said that her'only goal was to receive good.marks
in school. Marie is the youngest in the family in which there are
sixLHBrried daughters. -She lives alone with her mother in a large,
dreary, dirty house. During the interview the mother sat in an ad-
joining room and mumbled to herself. Marie said she was forbidden
to go with boys or to have girl friends visit her. The mother is
apparently very jealous of her daughter, and does not want her to
leave the home because she is afraid.she will be left alone. Marie
has turned to her school work as an outlet and escape from.the re-

straint of this unhappy environment.

AHBITION: The ambitions of both.groups were very similar and possi-
bly shows the limitations of fields Open to women. Forty per cent
of the non-relief girls and 29% of the relief group wanted to do some
type of office work. Nursing was the second most popular occupation,
with an equal number in each group. Teaching came third for the non-
relief girls, and marriage for the relief groups. Eighteen per cent
of the non-relief group and 22% of the relief group had no plans for
the future.

It is significant to note that the ambitions and plans of the

girls are of a practical nature and are possible to attain.

§QHOOI.CURRICULUM: The choice of curriculum.in high school usually
determines the type of job secured later. Forty-five per cent of
the non-relief and 6% of the relief group are enrolled in academic
courses. Twenty-seven per cent of the non-relief girls and 6% of
the relief group plan to go to college.

Fifty per cent of the non-relief girls and.32% of the girls on

' j... ..—~

 

44

relief are enrolled in the commercial courses. Twenty per cent

of the non-relief girls and 6% of the relief girls plan to continue
with courses in a business college. Nine per cent of the non-relief
girls plan to attend a nursing college after graduation. Six per

cent of the non-relief and 11% of the relief group had not yet decided

in.what course they would enroll.

 

 

 

45

CHAPTER VI
CHURCH.ATTENDANCE

The number of different churches attended is approximately
the same for both groups. The Catholics are predominant in both
groups. In fact 42% of the girls who attend church in the relief
group are Catholics. The second choice for‘both groups was the
Methodist. Almost 75% of the relief and 58% of the non-relief group
belonged to either the Catholic or the Methodist church. This left
the remaining 25% of the relief group belonging to ten different
churches, and.40% of the non-relief group belonging to the same nump
ber of churches. The following Table No. I shows the churches attend—
ed:

TABLE No. 4
Churches Attended (or preferred)
Relief anpRelief

 

1. Catholic 9 5
2. methodist 6 15
5. St. Paula I 5
4. Congregational l 5
5 . Lutheran l 2
6. Christian Science 0 2
7. Evangelical 0 2
8. Presbyterian 0 5
9. Baptist 1 l
10. Peoples O 1
11. Church of God 1 1
l2. Pilgrim.Holiest l l
15. Nazarene 5 l
14. ean l 0
15. C istian Fellow-
ship 1 O
16. Salvation Army 1 0
'IRT‘ ‘25“'
No preference l5 4
Total 44 44
Inactive -23 ~13

Total Active

(0
5.;
03
H

46

The second Table No. 2 shows the record of attendance and
activities in the churches:

TABLE N00 5.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE

Record of Attendance ( a minimum.of
once a month)

Relief Non-Relief

Sunday School 11 25

Church 17 25

Ybung Peoples 8 15
Officer, teach, singin

choir 6 8

Do not attend 23 13

Total 65 82

It is interesting to note that attendance at church.is more
frequent than.at Sunday School. This may be explained in a variety
of ways. First, the girls may have outgrown Sunday School; second,
attendance at church is less an effort since it is attendance in a
mass group rather than in.small individual classes. In.the smaller
groups, clothes, manners and personality are under the closer scrutiny
of other girls. Participation in a Sunday School requires greater
initiative and activity in the discussion during the class service.

It was frequently stated by several girls that they did not
attend church because they had.recently moved into a new neighbor-
twod and were too far away from their former church. In order to
discover whether the church.attendance was influenced by the change
of address within the past two years, 2 x 2 contflgency tables were
used to determine the coefficient of correlation. There was no high-
ly significant correlation in either the relief group or the non-

relief group. In the relief group the correlation was .5 which in-

47

dicates five chances in one hundred that the distribution occurred
by chance. The correlation of .5 is based on the maximum.value of
.70 for a 2 x 2 contigency table.

Edna, from the relief group and a member of the Salvation
Army, was the only girl who expressed any great emotion about
church. She believes in the Army with particular fervor. A Catholic
girl said that the church.was a lot of "phooey", particularly in
regard to the ritual. Another Catholic girl believes deeply in it.
She said she does not argue with her Protestant friends about it be-
cause she knows it is the original church and is much older than.the
Protestant churches.

In the case of Veda there was a tendence for her to withdraw
and seek refuge in religion. She had recently changed from.the
church in which she was brought up to one of a more evangelical nature.
She quit school in the tenth grade a year ago, and has not secured
a job. Her mother is ill in bed with "hardening of the brain". The
housework has'been completely neglected, and plaster which has fallen
from the wall has remained on the floor. Veda has lost or shows no
interest in housework or work outside of the home. She has adopted
a passive attitude which finds expression in religion, and She pre-
fers to live in a world of seclusion where work is not necessary.

Some of the girls in the non-relief group said they did not go
toichurch,because they disliked the ndnister, and could not agree with
what he said, or that he said the same thing every Sunday.

It is interesting to compare the two groups and.find that 54%
of the relief and 9% of the non-relief girls had never gone to church
or had a church preference. These girls were not able to state their

parents' preference.

48

CHAPTER VII

PARTICIPATION IN COMHUNITY ACTIVITIES

Twenty per cent of the non-relief group and 9% of the relief
group participate in community activities. The difference in these
percentages is not significant.

A popular activity found only in the non-relief group was Uncle
Howdy's choir. Practice is held Saturday mornings from 9 to 12 and a
program is presented from 1 to 2 in a large theater downtown. At
the erxi of the program free tickets are given to the members of the
choir, which permits them to see the movie. Other memberships in
the non-relief group included the Rainbow Club, a junior organization
of the Rebeccas; the Daughters of Veterans of Foreign Wars; the
Mariners, an advanced group of Girl Scouts; and an Assyrian group
which meets in their own club house.

Participation by the relief group was smll. The Homemakers,

a handicraft club for married women of lower economic level has been
formed by the city recreation department. Mildred was able to attend
because of special permission given her aunt, who is a member. Mil-
dred also belongs to the Junior Dramatic Guild and attends all the
meetings. An Italian girl was seriously interested in the Young
Italian Club which meets twice a month at the YWCA for social meetings.
She prefers this organization to school affairs. The YWCA was also

the meeting place for a sewing class, where free material is provided
to all the girls who attend. This is mainly for girls from relief
families.

Mildred, who is more active in community activities than any
other girl in the relief group has the following home situation.

49

The family came from the South to Lansing, and the father worked

in the auto factories. A short time after coming here,’ in .1929,

the family applied for relief from the city. It is difficult to say
how Mildred has been able to retain her charm and personality after
living ten years on a relief budget. A possible interpretation may
be that at the age of six, when the family went on relief, she was
not old enough to realize the significance of the change of economic
status from one level to another. She has always lived on the same
level of economic income, the lowest, and knows nothing else. It
might be suggested that a family who has been on relief for that length
of time feels more secure than the person who has a job to lose.
There is a certain amount of security when one has nothing to lose,
and is at the bottom of the economic group. However, security must
not be confused with the idea that the "government owes me a living"
although they may be closely allied. I

WINTER SPORTS: The girls were asked regarding their favorite winter
sport, and 81% of the non-relief group and 11% of the relief group
said that it was ice skating. The difference between the two per-
centages is not significant enough to warrant a conclusion that ice
skating is more predominant in the non-relief group than in the re-
lief group.

Other winter sports included 20% of the non-relief group and 11%
of the relief group. There were a few more relief girls who preferred
to stay indoors in thawinter rather than go out doors. The difference
between 9% for the non—relief girls and 27% for the other group was
not statistically significant. , The relief girls usually said they did
not have time for sports,» they were too occupied with housework.

It is important too to consider the fact that most of ther elief

 

 

 

 

50

girls do not own ice skates or other equipment for participation
in sports.

In conclusion, it is evident that choice of winter sports is
similar for both groups and participation by either group is not
significantly different from.the other. The main reason for the
common interest in skating is due to the great emphasis placed upon
skating by the city recreation department and the fine facilities
offered to the young people.

SUMMER SPORTS: The sports in the summer time offered a greater
variety as shown in the following chart:

 

 

 

1

TABLE No. 6. Percentagg

ACTIVITY Relief Non-Relief

1. Swimming 54 51

2. Tennis 9 29

5. Bicycles 4 20

4. Baseball 20 15

5. Other sports 15 10

6. Trips 4 59

7. Indoors ll 6

There is greater variety among the non-relief girls in summer
sports. It is to be noticed that summer sports most oftenlrequire
additional equipment, as for example, tennis racquets, bicycles, .
and roller skates. These things are not available to relief girls, and
no arrangements are made to rent them to the girls at a minimum charge.
Because of this lack of equipment the relief girl has made greater use
of the softball leagues at the city playgrounds. Also many girls
play at the corner vacant lot. One of the greatest differences be-
tween the two groups is the fact that one out of four of the non-relief
girls leave the city during the summer to visit relatives in other

L

1
Percentage based on number of preferences stated by the 44
girls in each group.

. 594“"

51

cities or stay at cottages and.lakes. All of the relief girls
remain in the city except one or two who took trips out of town
with.a non-relief girl. The relief girls showed a preference for
staying indoors during the summer. In both seasons, the relief
girls composed a larger group who stated they liked to stay indoors.
Whether this was from.choice or necessity cannot be said. It is
known that the relief girls had more responsibility in regard to
housework and the care of younger children.

Greater community interest in summer activities for this latter
group Should be stressed. The organization of worthwhile projects
in home economics and sewing would be useful both from a social and

practical standpoint.

MOVIE ATTENDANCE:

TABLE N00 7‘ Movie Attendance

 

 

 

 

Frequengy 25 Non-Relief gaelier
2-5 times a week 20 20
Once a week 65 40
Twice a month 11 9
Several times a

year 0 22
Never 2 4

The intensity of movie attendance by the relief group should
be noted. Eighty-five per cent ofishe non-relief group attend the
movie once or more times a week, and only 60% of the relief group
attend once or more times a week; 20% of each group attend the movie
two or three times a week. Kathleen who quit school because she
hated it, and is too lazy, according to her mother, to look for a job,
said that to go to the movie was the only other thing she did besides
listen to the radio.

Attendance in the relief group follows extremes, and either the

girls go once or more times a week or several times a year. This

 

 

52

is possibly indicative of two things. First, the very frequent
attenders show a maladjustment in their environment. They con-
tinually seek a substitute in the form.of passive entertainmant
at the movies. They are unable to develop their own.resources.

The second, attendance only several times a year, is more in
accordance with the limits imposed by a relief budget.

The most popular actress in.both groups was Sonia Henie. The
best explanation of this choice is thei?act that ice skating is
the major winter sport in Lansing, as well as among the two groups.
The:recreation.department also furnishes a fancy figure skater to
teach the children at the skating rinks. Because of this interest
and training, the girls have idolized the champion of figure skating.

The favorite type was the historical movie with a great deal of
action.and romance. There was a general feeling of indifference

among the relief girls in regard to the type of movie they preferred.

DATES WITH BOYS: . Seventy-seven per cent of the non-relief girls
and 61% of the girls on relief had dates at least once a week, went
"steady" or were engaged. When tested for significance, these differ-
ences were not important. A larger proportion of the relief girls
went "steady" than the non-relief girls. This probably indicates a
difference in.the meaning of the word. Commonly, it means "going with
one boy". It was observed that the non-relief girls went with a
greater number of boys, and they were more popular among them. It,
also seemed that the girls who were the least attractive and the least
interested in school and a job were the ones Who went "steady". These
girls realized that the only thing they could do was to get married.
It was surprising that a large number of the mothers of the girls
on relief insisted that their—daughters "go steady". For aggirl to be

seen with different boys was thought to be improper, and was considered

55

almost immoral.

The writer feels that there was a tendency to exaggerate the
number of dates with boys. It would not be likely that a girl would
‘mention less than she actually had, because it is natural for girls
to want to be popular. The most common nights for dates were Friday,
Saturday and Sunday, and occasionally on Wednesday night.

The girls were asked what they did on their dates, and in
almost every instance shows and dances were mentioned. The girls
themselves admdtted that there were few places to go on dates.

All the girls in both.groups prefer to go on "double-dates"
with another couple. The girls said that they would be "bored" if
they had to be alone with one boy. Girls between the ages of 15 and
17 are apt to be changeable and."fickle" and undecided as to what
they want to do.

It is not characteristic of girls of this age "to fall in love".
They are more concerned with a "place to go and dance", than with the
boy who takes them.

The girls in both groups were asked whether their boy friends
were working or were students, and how old they were. In the non-'
relief group, the boys were usually the same age or one year older.
Several of the seniors in high school went with boys who were fresh-
men at the college. There was a slight preference for older boys,
but not a general feeling that they should be.

The‘girls in the relief group, who went with boys, stated a
definite preference for boys at least three years older. Most of
the'boys were employed at low paying jobs, or were unemployed. Very
few had graduated from.high school. The girls were asked why they
went mith.boys older than themselves. The usual answer was that the

“L

54

boys in their own age group were "silly". The girls all thought
they matured at least two or three years before the boys in their
grades. .

The interpretation of the reason that relief girls prefer to go
with boys older than themselves is possibly the same explanation as
the reason that more girls go "steady" in the relief group. These
girls do not have .a career ahead of them in business or college that
the non-relief girls do. They are not trained for anything else but
housework. Although many girls marry to get away from housework,
they do not realize that they are getting into more of it. Many seek
security in marriage which was not present in their lives in the fam-
ily group. They have hopes that their young husbanch will "make good"
where their fathers have failed. They also seek affection-and recog-
nition which may have been lacking in the home by the presence of too
many other children and the lack of love by the parents.

By going with older boys who have jobs, there is a greater possi-
bility of a quicker marriage and the fulfilment of their desires. The
older boy can assume the role of the girl's father, while the younger
boy in school reminds her of nothing more than her young brothers at

home .

..-.- ..

 

55

CHAPTER VIII
PERSONAL PROBLEMS AND INTERESTS OF THE GIRLS

PROBLEMS OF THE GIRLS ON RELIEF: At the conclusionof the inter-
view the girls were asked what they considered to be the important
problems of girls their age. In many cases this proved too diffi-
cult for the girls to answer. They were then asked what they con-
sidered to be the main interests and topics of conversation among
the girls their age.

Four of the oldest relief girls, who had quit school, were most
concerned with getting a job. Two of them worked, one at the hos-
pital and.the other at housework. The other two said they were un-
able to find employment, but they admitted they were unwilling to
do. housework.

Several girls were concerned with maintaining satisfactory
relationships with their parents. Beulah said she hated her parents
and tried to stay away from home as much as possible. Her parents
were concerned about her staying out late, and had reported this
delinquent tendency to the caseworker.

Another problem is found among the girls with foreign born
parents who are faced with a complex situation of adjusting themselves
to the demands of their own age groups, as well as to the standards
of their parents, whose background is entirely different. For ex-
ample, an Italian mother believes her daughter should quit school
and go to work. A Polish mother believes it is wrong for her daugh-
ter to attend a co-educational school.

Another problem frequently mentioned by the girls is the select-
ion of the right friends, the proper places to go, and the maintaining
of a good reputation. The girls in the relief group are not able to

56

 

‘7'6'03'. m9 ‘1‘ _-‘

fall'back upon the good social and economic standing of their parents,
and.must depend entirely upon the recognition of their own personal
habits.

Another problem.of the relief group is the necessity of missing
school in order to take care of members of the famdlies who are ill.
The mother is frequently 111, and the responsibility of the family
falls upon the daughter. Several girls said their teachers do not
readily approve these excuses.

Personal health is another problem which causes great concern
among the girls. Netty was particularly affected by this condition.
She mdssed two years of school because of ill health. But the effect
of school retardation on social adjustment is too broad a subject to
discuss at the present time, and is worthy of a separate and special-

ized study.

PROBLEMS OF NON-RELIEF GIRLS: The serious problems of the relief
groups are not found in the non-relief group. They were more objective
and willing to talk about themselves and their interests and.attitudes.
The girls stated that they never discussed the serious problems of

war or unemployment other than in the discussions in civics classes.
However, there were two girls interested in the recent "war scare".
Helen's parents were born in England and she has relatives there.
Aileen.was interested because she thought her boy friend would have to
enlist. .

Almost all the girls agreed that the most important things in
their lives were boys and clothes, and these subjects were the most
commonly discussed.

INTERESTS OF THE RELIEF GIRLS: The younger girls on.relief were most

interested in school,reading, and playing outdoors, and the older ones

57

said their interest was to have a "good time".

Two girls who seemed to be the least charming and intelligent
evidenced a desire to get married and have children.

Edna's greatest interest was in the Salvation Army. Betty, who
comes from a family that is completely destitute, said she gets her
greatest enjoyment from looking through women's fashion magazines.
In this way Betty is able to escape from her world of old, shabby
clothes into an imaginary one full of the fashionable new dresses
which she wOuld like to wear.

Lois, whose family has received relief for ten years, and who
has three siblings with court records, said her favorite pastime was
to "ride fast on a bicycle in the wind". This may possibly indicate

a desire to be free and away from the burdens of her family.

 

INFORMAL GROUPS AND CLIQUES: An outstanding difference between the
two groups was the membership among non-relief girls in infoer
organizations. These informal social organizations had no names,

no elected officers, and were very flexible in membership. They
usually had from twelve to thirty members.

Marian, who is in junior high school, belongs to a group of
thirty girls, in which there are three girls who consider themselves
the leaders, and call themselves the "three stooges" because they
closely resemble a comedy team of that name. One of these girls de-
cides to have .a party and the rest of the girls are invited. During
the fall and winter the group has suppers, and go to football and
basketball games. .

Mary belongs to an older group- Boy friends are invited to group
suppers several times a year.

Dorothy is a member of a group of eighteen girls who have fre-

quent bohemian suppers, attend football and basketball games, and go

58

to shows together. Recently one of the girls entertained the entire
group at her farm. The girls wore their snow suits and slept in the
hayloft overnight.

Frances, age fifteen years, belongs to a closely-knit group
of twenty-five boys and girls. They hold activities at least once
a week. These have included: a splash party at the YMCA, a private
skating party at the Central Methodist roller skating rink, sleigh
rides, bohemians, picnics, hayrides and movies. This group showed a
great deal of planning and originality.

Dotty belongs to a club called the "Subs-Debs". The members wear
wooden name pins. Every Thursday the girls wear black skirts, white
blouses, and black sweaters to school. They have bohemians, and go
to games and shows together. One girl who was denied membership to
the club, complained to the principal, who ordered all their club
material destroyed and the club to disband.

The relief girls do not belong to organizations of this type.
Their inability to meet the cost of entertainment and other expenses
of attending shows and games is probably the reason for this. Be-
cause of this inability to meet the financial requirements of the
group, these girls have retired within themselves and left the group.

Their circle of friends consists of girls who are in similar circum-

stances.

§_I_I§GESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY NEEDS: The girls were asked what the com-
munity could give _ to its young people that «would help them in their
recreational needs. The suggestions made in both groups were funda-
mentally the same. It is agreed that one of the greatest needs of

the young people are places where they may dance where liquor is not
sold. At least 90% of the girls in each group disliked drinking in

connection with dancing. The most pOpular place to dance in the winter

59 E

is the armory. Admission is twenty-five cents a couple, with.an

 

extra charge for checking wraps, although most of the dancers leave
their coats in their cars.

Other dances are held at the fraternal lodges and small beer
gardens. These places are poorly chaperoned and managed, and are
known as places to "pick up" members of the opposite sex. Through-
out the winter the YWCA sponsors dances on Thursday nights for
persons who are employed, or are students at the college. These
danoes are held on a school night and prevent attendance of high
school students.

With.the closing of the armory in the early spring, the young
people are without a place tociance in the community. There are
several school dances, but these are not pOpular because they are too
expensive. The orchestra is poor and only students from.the school
are permitted to attend. Too many of the dances are formal.

The armory is closed in the spring because of the "competition"
offered by the opening of the dance resorts at nearby lakes. Attend-
ance at lake resorts necessitates driving a car, and one is not al-
ways accessible to young people. The mothers and the daughters ob-
jected to dancing at the lakes because liquor is sold at these re-
sorts. An.unofficial statement from.a local agency indicates that
unmarried mothers said that these resorts provided the setting for
their illicit acts.

The second greatest need, according to the girls, is a roller
skating rink. Except on one or two nights at the Central methodist
Church, there have been no facilities for indoor skating during the
past winter. The church is usually reserved on these nights by

private church.groups or parties. The Church is to be commended

 

60

forishis progressive step in recreation, but the facilities are
inadequate to serve the entire city of Lansing.

Several years ago a roller skating rink was managed by pri-
vate individuals, but the rink soon became known as a place to
secure "girls and dope". The physical facilities were also poor.
There was no ventilation to take care of the dust in the air, and
objects were frequently left on the floor which caused accidents
among the skaters. Last summer a rink was opened in a tent outside
the city limits, and according to the girls who skated there, it
was well managed. _ ‘

Although most of the girls had never thought of a community
center, the girls agreed it would be a worthwhile project. They
liked the idea of an organization of community clubs,:ind the chance
to play ping-pong and badminton with other boys and girls.

Among the other*needs named by the girls were tennis courts and
a swimming pool in the northern part of Lansing. A large pool,
located in the southern part of the city, is used by a great many
people. It is clean and well-kept. A deposit of 25¢ is required
of all swimmers. Two other pools are Open for only a part of the
summer in West Junior High and Pattengill schools.

The complaint most frequently made by the younger girls was
the inadequacy of the equipment at the playgrounds. The mother of
one of the girls said she refused to send her children to the play-
grounds because of the large number of "big negro boys" there. Al-
though a playground has recently been set aside for them, they still
come to this one. Another mother in the non-relief group said her
daughter was not permitted to go to the playgrounds because the
'riff-raff" of a poor section of the neighborhood played there.

 

.1..- -.

61 3

 

By allowing her daughter to sleep until noon, half of the day '..._-..
was gone, so she had no vacation problem. One girl had heard

her younger sister say that the playgrounds had high wire fences
around them, which were kept locked, and as a result the children
played in the streets. Doris said that most of the boys in the
neighborhood played baseball in cinder lots which had been ask dumps,

and many of the children were cut on broken glass.

CHAPTER IX
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR YOUNG

PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATIOI‘I IN LAI~ISING:_ In many cities in Michigan
'the departments of recreation are a part of the department of educa-
tion. This enables closer cooperation in the use of school buildings
for recreational facilities. In Lansing, however, the department of
:recreation is a division of the parks department. The city, conse-
quently, has freer access to the parks of’the city than to the school
'huildings and playgrounds. This fact influences the type of program
which.is promoted by the department. Greater emphasis is placed on
ice skating rinks in the winter instead of indoor activities in the
gymnasiums and class rooms.

The department operates on a budget of $20,000 a year, about
$4,000 of which is spent on the seven ice skating rinks located at
large parks at the outskirts of the city. There are twenty parks
and playgrounds located throughout the city. In the summer the play-
grounds serve as centers for handicraft classes, tournaments, parades,
and picnics. Leadership is provided by WPA. A man and woman are in
charge of all playgrounds, and are required to have had two years of
college work. A report of the summer activities for the months of

May, June, July and August, 1958, is condensed into the following

 

 

 

chart :
Type of Program. Participant: Spectators.
1. Marble Tournament 79
TABLE 2. Playgrounds (20) 231,019
3. Leagues (baseball) .......
No. 8, 4. Homemakers 85,000
5. Recreation Women's Club
(camping) 110
6. Tennis 54,000
7. Swimming 55,080
8. Golf 75 000 580,191

Total 183,000

65

 

PATTENGILL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL: Pattengill, a junior high school,

 

which includes the seventh, eighth and ninth grades, is adjacent to
Eastern senior school. It is a modern brick structure with a boys'

and girls' gymnasium, a swimming pool, an auditorium, and a playground.
There are 1,550 students and 41 teachers.

According to the supervisor of recreational activities, the
teachers, who act as leaders, complain that the clubs occupy too
much of their time. It has been suggested that the activity hour
which is first hour (8:12 to 9:55) be changed to the last period in
the school day. Another suggestion has been made that the whole pro-
gram.of extra-curricular activities be discontinued for a year. In
this way the extra-curricular activities will develop as need is felt
rather than as a definite prOgram.

According to a fairly accurate estimate, 981 students in Patten-
gill are members of some organization in the school. Approximately
500 to 400 students do not participate. Out of a.membership of 1,550
students, this figure is a representative proportion. Eleven of the
clubs are exclusively for girls, with a total membership of 556. There
are twelve clubs for boys with a total membership of 255.

Pattengill school should be commended on its remarkable program
'for extra-curricular activities.

EASTERN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL: Eastern High School is a modern, well-
designed, three story brick structure, which includes a large public
auditorium, a boys' and a girls' gymnasium, athletic field and play-
ground, a swimming pool, and a comfortably furnished social room.

lids room.is open for the students' use during the club hour, lunch
hour and for an hour after school. It is equipped.with checker boards,

carom board and a piano. The assistant principal said that the room.

.I‘.’.

64

had.proved very pOpular, and.the students are unwilling to leave
it at closing time.

Eastern has an enrollment of 1,800 students and 65 teachers.

Figures are incomplete for the membership of the clubs be-
cause club reports have not been herded in to the office. Out of
the thirty-nine organizations, ten are exclusively for girls and
seven for boys. The largest girls' organization is the Girls' League,
where all girls automatically become members. Other large clubs are
the Girls' Athletic Association and the Girl Reserves.

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: Central High.School is located near the
business section of lensing. The present building was completed
in 1911. With an enrollment of 1,600 students and 50 teachers, the
building is outdated and overcrowded.

The general student organizations and the twenty-eight clubs
are well organized and coordinated. The assistant principal said
arrangements are frequently made for students from.relief families
to attend the school parties without the payment of the usual fees.
NATIONAL‘YOUTH ADMINISTRATION IN PANSINQE. The offices of the local
NYA are located in the basement of the City Hall. This organization
serves a group of boys and girls between the ages of 16 and 25. The
public schools of Lansing employ 75 girls on various clerical pro-
jects in the schools. This is known as Student Aid. Young people
between the ages of 18 and 25 are employed on the regular NYA pro-
jects. The following table shows the classification of jobs in
lensing:

 

17m,
\

 

TABLE NO. 9. _ 65

‘National YOuth.Administratiqg.
Clerical Projects in Lansiggr March, 1959. No. Employed.

 

 

 

 

1. State Corrections Office 2
2. State Police Barracks 20
5. ERA 5
5. Quartermaster General (Hollister Bldg.) 2
6. State Employment Service 2
7. State NYA ' 5
8. City Recreation 2
.9. City Airport 2
10. Ingham County Health Department (Mason) 2
11. Library at Webberville 1
Nurse Aid at Sparrow Hospital
12. Sparrow Hospital 14
Recreation
15. Colored Girl Scout Leader at Lincoln
School 1

Approximate Total 65

The director of the NYA indicated a desire to install a
boys' work shop for all boys in the city, with the tools provided
free. But at the present time it is impossible to locate a suitable
building. -

A clerical school for girls is being developed as a girls'
dormitory and class rooms. Idvingexpenses would be shared by the
girls on a cooperative basis similar to the cooperative boys' home
in East Lansing. This latter house is for rural NYA boys attending
the short term.courses at the college. Similar projects in the
state include a boys' camp at Cassiday Lake and a girls' home at
Balding.
§IATE‘WPA RECREATION OFFICE: The state WPA office is located in a
building formerly occupied by the Rec Motor Co. at 1500 South Wash-
ington Street, in Lansing. In addition to several offices, there

66

is a work shop and an exhibit room, in which is contained handi-

 

craft from.the art projects located throughout the state. The
art classes promote the use of native materials from the Northern
Peninsula and scrap products from the factories from.the industrial
cities in the lower part of the state.

The state department supervises approximately twenty types
of recreational activity. A recent report of January 16-51, 1959,
indicated that during that period the most popular projects in the

state were:

 

 

 

 

TABLE N00 10. Participating‘Hours
PROJECTS Under I6 years 16 Eb 25 years
1. Athletics and sports 481,874 40,955
2. Group play and other phys-
ical recreation 140,040 68,957
5. Arts and.crafts 125,918 56,467
4. Game room.activity 91,756 61,260

The above figures indicate that athletic programs are most
actively participated in by children below 16 years. The leadership
for each project is sponsored by WPA.

The state office acts as a coordinating agency in the numerous
projects throughout the state, but is not primarily concerned with
the detailed management of each local project. In 1955 the WPA
planned its work with the thought of terminating its activities
at any time. However, at the present time it has changed its think-
ing and is planning its work on a long-time basis. ‘

LQCAL‘WPA RECREATIONAL PROJECTS: The office is located in a corner
of the City Hall basement. There are approximately 25 WPA recreation-
a1 leaders in the city of Lansing. Recreational projects are carried
on at the Transient Bureau, Oak Park, Michigan State College, Home-
makers' Club, School for the Blind and various boys' clubs in the
schools. The types of projects in Lansing are: music, dramatics,

recreation on the playgrounds, and story telling. All of the leaders

67

 

are men, with the exception of a negro girl at the negro community
house. Decreased appropriations are making it necessary to cut down
on recreational leadership.

YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION: The YWCA is housed on S. Town-
send St., in a five-story brick structure, with offices, dormitories,
gymnasium, pool, cafeteria, and.recreation rooms. >_

The Girl Reserve Department is devoted to the interests of the
adolescent girl, as evidenced by the forming of 55 clubs throughout
the city. An important part of this program.is the work of the case-
worker, who deals with problem.girls in.both a casework and'group
method. The caseworker is employed in the part-time school one after-
noon a week, where classes are conducted according to plans made by
the girls. Discussions are held concerning charm, sex, social re-
lations, and specialized occupations. During the week, clubs are
held.at the WYCA in sewing. In this class free material is provided;
in the child-caring classes a certificate is given to the girls at the
completion of the course. Mixed parties are also held throughout
the year.

CENTRAL METHODIST TEMPLE HOUSE: The social activities of the Church
are centered in the Temple House, a four-story structure, which was
donated by Mr. R.N. Scott, automobile manufacturer. The building is
very adequately furnished with a large gymnasium, bowling alleys,
recreation noom_and various small class rooms. mr. Brown, the

church recreational director, has complete charge of the building and
its activities.

The recreational program.of the Central Methodist Church in-
cludes: first, social activities of the various classes and organiza-

tions in the church; second, an athletic program.in the gymnasium,

68

which consists of basketball, soft ball, volley ball, ping-pong,
and shuffle board; third, additional activities including bowling-
alleys and roller skating; fourth, organized activities including
boy and.girl scout troops and training courses for prospective
group and recreational leaders.

The following facilities for adolescent girls are included:
two bowling teams, a girl scout troop, roller skating, and general
class parties. mr. Brown, the director, said there was no desire

on the part of the girls to organize athletic teams.

 

69

'I’KI"

CHAPTER X

 

SUMMARY

The particular concern of this study is with.the adolescent
girl who is growing to maturity without the normal influence of
parents as providers; and.the effect of economic deprivation upon
her social participation. —

The purpose of this study is to compare the social relation-
ships of the two groups of girls from.non-relief and relief families,
between the ages of 15 and 18, living in Lansing (Michigan).

The names in the relief group were secured from the files of
the Ingham.County Relief office; those of the girls in the non-relief
group were obtained by asking the girls in the relief families for:
names of their friends. Personal interviews, with the use of the
interview outline, were held in the home of each.gir1. To organize
comparable groups of girls, the equated frequency distribution of
similar factors was used. The following control.factors were used
in.making the two groups similar: Age composition, grade in school,
mental age, nativity of parents, and the length of residence in a
particular area. After the deviating cases were excluded, there re-
mained a total of forty-four girls in each group.

A great many factors and problems developed as a result of the
study which cannot be enumerated in the summary. Attention will be
given to the most outstanding ones.

One of the most significant differences in the social relation-
ships of the girls was the amount of entertaining by the non-relief
girls as compared with the other group. The non-relief group felt
more free to have their friends visit them in their home. They also

had more adequate home arrangements for entertaining guests. Fifty

70

per cent of the relief group lived in very poor houses. There
was a high correlation between the types of homes and the amount
of entertaining done.

A second significant difference between the two groups is
the social participation of the girls in school activities. The
girls from the non-relief group participated twice as frequently
in extra-curricular activities and in club leadership as the girls
from the relief group.

A third highly significant difference is the participation
of the non-relief girls in informal groups of girls outside of school.
the membership in.the clubs range from twelve to twenty-five girls,
or girls and boys. The groups are entirely social in nature and often
have bohemian suppers and picnics, theater, and skating parties. The
relief group limits their social activities, as a rule, to shows
or dances with one or two friends who are in similar economic cir-
cumstances.

Fourth, the relief girls are faced with several problems of a
more serious nature than the other girls. These prdblems include:
Poor health with subsequent retardation in school, and failure to find
jobs because of inadequate training. The girls in this group were
not able to fall back upon the good social and economic standing of
their parents, and had to depend entirely upon the recognition of
their own personal good habits. Another problenlanong the girls on
relief was in.maintaining a satisfactory relationship with their
parents, particularly with the father, who frequently demanded all
his daughter's earnings.

The study showed the City Department of Recreation has an ex-
tensive winter program.of ice skating at seven parks located through-

Cmt the city. During the summer, twenty parks and playgrounds are

71

operated by the Department. in ‘

 

The churches offer very few recreational Opportunities for
the young peOple of the community. However, with one exception,

a downtown church offers bowling alleys, a gymnasium, and roller
skating facilities.

The schools, with.the exception of’one junior high school,
offeradvanced programs of extra-curricular activities.

Government interest in young people is shown by the extensive
recreation and.work programs of’the National'Youth and WOrks Progress
Administrations.

The girls agree that the greatest recreational need in the
community is a place to dancewhere liquor is not sold. They also
suggested more tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a community

house for club organizations.

72

CONCLUSION

Social participation, which is necessary for the development
of maturity, is denied the girls from relief families. There are
several restrictions placed upon the girls in this group. The
girls have added home responsibility; no money to spend for theme
selves; and in most cases have an attitude of suspicion and defense
toward others. They are handicapped from.the start by the lack of
social relationships which.might give them a knowledge and an appre-
ciation of adult social, business, and political responsibilities.

It is impossible to expect a new generation of girls to arrive at
economic independence if“they cannot first adjust themselves to
a mature personal independence.

This study offers no support for the common'belief that girls
frdm.the lower income group mature at an earlier age than other girls.
A mature personality develOps only through social contacts and ex-
perience with others.

A vast field of recreational opportunities for young people still
needs to.be develOped in the community. It must be recognized that
some form.of free recreational facilities ought to be offered to the
girls in the relief group. These young people should be provided with

an outlet for their natural desire to dance, to play, and to work.

 

75

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

Lansing (Michigan) comprises the average rural, urban,

factory and business groups, and has been used frequently in

studies and surveys of cities of approximately 100,000 population.

Recommendations made in this specific study may therefore apply

to other cities of a similar size.and nature.

As a result of this study it is recommended that:

l.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

The fine winter sports program.be continued by the
City Department of Recreation.
The City Recreation Department extend its program to

include: a community center to serve as a.neeting place

for boys and girls; to sponsor dances; and to offer classes
and clubs in the promotion of arts and crafts among the
young people.

The Welfare Office include ten or fifteen cents in the
family budget for the sole use of the adolescent girls.
An agency be organized to distribute athletic equipment
for the use of young people unable to buy skates, tennis
rackets, and bicycles.

A visiting teacher program be inaugurated in the public
schools system,

The‘Ybung'Womens Christian Association extend its club
and athletic program to include more girls.

The churches extend their prOgrams to meet the recreation

needs of its young people.

APPENDIX

'74
II'ITERVIEW OUTLINE

(Data to be recorded on
separate sheets)

(Exact statement of question)
1. FAMILY HISTORY

When is your birthday? Where were you.born? HOw many are
there in the family and what is the birth order of your brothers
'and sisters? What is the usual occupation of your father'and mother?
-How is your health? Have you missed very much school? Have you had
operations or'diseases of a serious nature?

II. SCHOOL.

Where do you go to school? 'What grade are you in? ‘What clubs
and outside activities do you participate in? Do you hold any office?
Did you belong to any in the past? Why don't you belong to a group
this semester? Do you go to dances and athletic games? ‘Who do you
usually go with? Do you really like school? What improvements would
you suggest in school? Are clothes important? Are there cliques of
girls in your school?

III. HOME

(Observe the furnishings and room arrangement, housekeeping).
What duties do you have at home? Do you have a room of your own?
What books do you like to read and how many a week or a month? ‘Where
do you secure them? What magazines do you.read? What newspapers
do you read and.what part of the newspaper do you read? HOW many
letters do you write a week or a month? Do you write in a diary?
Do you write poems, stories, or paint at home?

What is your favorite outdoor sport in the winter and the summer?
Do you sew alone or belong to a sewing club? 'What activities does
your family participate in? Do you have a car and take trips to-
gether? What games do you play in the winter? Do you play a musical
instrument? Do you sing? ‘What radio programs do you listen to?

How often do you entertain boys and girls?‘ How many dates do
you have a month? Where do you go? Do you belong to any informal
organizations in the neighborhood?

IV. (COMMUNITY.

What community organizations do you belong to? ‘What offices
have you held? What are your favorite type movies and actors? How
often do you attend, and.who with? How do you feel about a girl
smoking? Necking? Drinking?

Do you work away from home and how much.do you earn? Where do you
work? ‘Where do you get your spending money? How do you spend it?
Do you have a chance to meet the_kind.of boys you would like to meet?
What could the community give to its young people that would help
them.the most in the line of recreation? What recreational facilities
are needed in this neighborhood?

75

V. CHURCH

What church do you attend? How often do you go? Do you belong
to a young peoples' group or sing in the choir? Do you attend
Sunday-school or teach a class? Do you hold an office in the church?
Do you go to the social activities in.the church? Is the church a
help to you?

VI. ATTITUDES

What is your ambition? What do you.consider problems of girls
your age? What is your greatest interest at the present time? What
do girls your age talk about? Are you concerned with problems of
depression and war?

20.
21.
22.
23.
25.

26.
27.

28.
29.
51.

52.

76

PATTENGILL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

SOAP CARVING - membership both‘boys and girls is 27.
HOME PLANNING - a club of 10 girls who are interested
in interior decorating, the sponsor has a hobby of
collecting oriental rugs.

SOCIAL DANCING - a membership of 48 boys and girls.
EMBROIDERY - membership of 50 girls.

PUBLIC SPEAKING and DEBATING - membership of 5.

MY POETRY BOOK.- 8 members, mostly girls.

KNITTING - 51 girls.

SCRAPBOOK - membership of 50 girls, they decide on a
subject and as a project make a scrapbook.during the
semester.

HOUSE PLANNING - 15 boys who study the practical ime
provements and repairs around the house.

POULTRY - 29 boys discuss chicken raising, in the
spring they raise their own chicks.

INDIAN CRAFT and LORE - 28 boys make bows and.arrows,
leather work and bead work..

GIRLS' CAMERA - 28 members.

STAMP - 51 boys. ‘

‘EVERY GIRL (9th Grade). Meets to discuss personal pro-
‘blems of girls.

SOAP CARVING - 27 members. Club #2.

CAMERA - 25 boys.

GIRL RESERVES - 50 members.

NEWSPAPER - 10 persons who publish the school paper.
PUPPET - 14 members learn how to make and use puppets.
SIGHT AND SOUND - 21 boys learn how to handle a movie
camera and manage stage decorations in the auditorium.
TYPOGRAMS- 50 members learn how to make pictures out of
certain letters on the typewriter.

PRINTING - 21 members print the weekly school paper
‘which is written by the Newspaper Club.

REPAIR - 25 boys learn how to handle metal work.
HOBBY'SHOP - 22 boys work with wood in the carpenter shop.
BOYS' CAMP COOKING - 52 boys (7a) learn how to cook in
the outdoors.

GIRLS' FIRST AID - 26 members.

SCHULPTORING- SKETCHING and CARTOONING - art club of 52
members. “

TAP DANCING- 54 girls

TRACK - a sport organization- one for boys and one for
girls, 15 members.

SWIMMING (Girls' Life Saving) - 26 members.

JUNIOR SPORTSMAN - 50 boys whoeire interested in conser-
vation, they make a yearly census of the fish caught and
the animals killed.

ORCHESTRA - 50 boys and girls.

35.

35.
56.

GIRIS' GLEE CLUB - has a limited membership of 44.
DRAMATIC - 21 members.

LIBRARY - 50 girls.

GARDEN CLUB - 20 boys who help with the landscaping and
the grounds at the school.

77

78

CLUB ORGANIZATIONS AT CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

J

SPRING 1959

l. STUDENT COUNCIL.

2. GIRLS' LEAGUE - Every girl of the school automati-
cally becomes a member of this or anization and one
the six.units - l) Orientation, 2 Emily Post 5)
The Service Unit, 4) Recreation, 5) Health, 6 Voca-
tional unit.

5. HONORARY SOCIETY - Students are selected on the basis of
scholarship, services, leadership and character.

4. CLASS ORGANIZATIOIIS - The six.classes are organized so
that class activities may be efficiently carried out.

5. HOME ROOMS- Home rooms are organized very similar to
the classes.

CLUBS

Clubs are organized or dissolved according to the desires
of the students.

6.
7.

20.
21.

22.
25.

24.

AEROPLANE and YACHT CLUB - membership limdted to 15

members, dues 15¢ a semester.

ART CLUB - The club membership-is determdned by a mark

of C or better in an art class.

AUTOMOBILE CLUB - Instructions in driving and.traffic

regulations.

BIBLE STUDY - Membership is limited to 50.

BOXING CLUB - Develops scientific‘boxing.

CHEF CLUB - The membership is limited to 15 boys, stud-
ies food planning etc.

CHESS CLUB

COMMERCE CLUB - membership open to students enrolled in

business courses.

DEB-ETTE CLUB - Develops charm.and personality.

ELECTRIC CLUB - Membership limited to 50 members - study

of electricity.

EUPHRONIAN CLUB - Mbmbershdp limited to 50 girls. Purpose

to develop cultural ability.

gIRLS' RESERVES - Membership llO, meetings held in the
.W.C.A.

HIJY ~Tota1 Membership in.Alpha and Beta is 60.

HODIERNI ROMANI - All Latin students with a passing grade

are permitted to Join.

HOME ECONOMICS - Any girl who is taking Heme Ec. course

is eligible.

JOURNALISM - School news is written for the school and

local paper. Membership 50.

PARROTT - A dramatic club of 50 members.

POETRY CLUB - An.original poem.is required for entrance.

Membership limited to 20.

PRINTING CLUB. Print and distribute football programs-

20 students.

 

1

79

25. RADIO CLUB - Interest is created in "ham? broadcast-
ing, codes, etc. One high school credit.is given to
persons who secure an Operating license.

26. SCIENCE CLUB - 50 boys.

27. SOPHISTICATED SOPHS CLUB. DevelOp charm.and personal-
ity. 50 girls. ,

28. SUB-DEB CLUB. Develop charm.and personality. 20 girls.

29. SWINGSTERS CIUB. Open to students who like to play swing
music and have an instrument.

50. TAPPERETTE CLUB. Lessons in tap-dancing. 55 girls.

51. TAXIDERMY. One-fourth.credit is given each semester for
satisfactory work. 15 boys.

52. TRAVEL CLUB. Stimulates interest in foreign countries,
takes one trip a year to Detroit.

55. VARSITY CLUB - For all boys who earn a letter in a sport.

54. YOUNG MEN ABOUT TOWN. Aids boys in the selection of
clothes and friends. 50 boys.

PUBLICATIONS

55. THE ORACLE - the school annual.

56. THE ZODIAC - A bi-monthly newspaper.

57. THE HANDBOOK - A guide to the organizations, rules and
traditions of the school.

MUSIC

58. THE BAND..Group of 80-100 boys.
59. ORCHESTRA - 40-50 members.
i0. A CAPPELLA CHOIR - 60-80 voices

FORENSICS AND DRAMATICS

42. DEBATING.
45. ORATORY, DECLAMATION, EXTEMPORE SPEAKING.
44. PIA-Y3. ,

GIRLS' ATHLETICS

Although.the girls of Central do not have a school athletic
team, they do have physical education and intramural sports.
Each girl is required to take gym.her*first year, and.may
elect it after that. During the year tournaments are held
in volleyball, basketball and softball, and swimming.

Girls are given a chance to earn letters by accumulating a
certain number of points. Individual activities include
dancing, swimming, skating, hiking, bowling, bicycling and
tumbling.

45. DUTY FORCE. A group of boys responsible for order in
the halls, etc.

46. "G" MEN. A secret detective force on the watch
out for stealing etc.

ORGANIZATIONS AT CENTRAL EXCLUSIVELY FOR GIRLS
1. GIRLS' LEAGUE - All girls are members.

2. GIRL RESERVES 110
3. DEB-ETTE 20
4. HOME ECONOMIC 7 30
5. SOPHISTICATED SOPH 50
6. SUB-DEB 20
7. TAPPERETTE 55
8. EUPHRONIAN 50

"2'75—

80

81

EASTERN SENIOR HIGH
WEEKLY ACTIVITY CALENDAR

MONDAY CLUBS

1. BIBLE - 1‘7 members

2. NEEDLECRAFT

5. SPORTSMAN - nine boys are members

4. CHEMISTRY - is for students majoring in.chemistry

5. CAMERA - 16 members

6. BOXING and WRESTLING -_51 boys

7. BADMINTON - 20 members

8. TAP-DANCING

9. GIRLS' LIFE SAVING

10. STAMP COLLECTORS - 8 members

11. HISTORY - similar to an International club

12. HONOR SOCIETY - students selected by the faculty as
outstanding, membership 75.

15. AUDITORIUM - a group of 55 girls who usher in the
auditorium.

14. QUILL and SCROLL - journalistic society for honorary
students

15. STUDENT COUNCIL

TUESDAY

16. HOME ROOM ACTIVITIES
l7. FRENCH CONVERSATION - for advanced students

WEDNESDAY

18. BOYS' DISCUSSION - discuss personal problems of boys

19. BOYS' TUMBLING- membership 6

20. GIRLS' TUMBLING - 17 members

21. BOYS' GOLF

22. MUSIC APPRECIATION

25. DRAMA - 21 members

24. FUR, FEATHER and FIN - an outdoor conservation club
with 50 boys

25. PAINT SPLASHERS - an art club

26. MIX-MASTERS - a home economics club with 24 members

27. SOCIAL DANCING - 250 members, mixed

28. HI-Y - 25 members

29. FRENCH

50. GIRL RESERVES

51. GIRLS' DISCUSSION - personal problems of the girls are
discussed

52. LATIN - 15 members

55. SPANISH

54. TRAVEL - 17 members

THURSDAY
55. ASSEMBLY- held in the auditorium.for all the students

56.
37.

59.

MOTOR CLUB - driving and safety rules taught

GIRLS' LEAGUE - for all the girls in the school, pro-
motes musicals, teas and handles problems common to
all the girls

CLASS MEETINGS

GIRLS' ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION - handles all athletic
programs

82

~ ”Iv-Er

85

BIBLIOGRAPHY
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«-qu

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PAMPHLETS AND SPECIAL STUDIES

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Miller, F.S. and Laitem, H. Personal Problems 23 the High School
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87

Thurow, Mildred. Interests, Activities and Problems of
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Wiledon, A.F. ‘YOuth Studies, College of Agriculture, University
of Wisconsin, MaHIson, WIscalsin.

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