WIVES OF FOREIGN STUDENTS:
THEIR PROBLEMS IN HOME MANAGEMENT

Thesis for tha 239ng of M. A.
MimiGAN STATE UNEVERSETY
Leséie Lieberman

19165

v‘RM'? ‘ :U-I
. H, " “\Ei
& ...$’it:tid‘

LIBRARY

Michigan State
University

 

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

EAST LA’NSIN; ..::C+IIGAN

' .1 (9‘06? f" ”Mil“ ., i... (F1033 ml .1 E}?

W ‘i vans; of F7(;n"s:~.a;i£311"! f???- l U. (J19? H [1 S54. : "I l’:t.~1'_'l, r’
M A .1. '3965. 3.3 Finiillzx.

« HIGAN STATE umvensm
' REFERENCE LIBRARY

Iii:-

 

 

 

 

GM; STATE UNIVERSITY

MICHI
MICH. 48823

PLACE IN RETURN BOX to remove this checkout from your record.
To AVOID FINES return on or before date due.
MAY BE RECALLED with earlier due date if requested.

 

DATE DUE DATE DUE DATE DUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6/01 C:/ClRC/DaieDue.p65-p.15

ABSTRACT
WIVES OF FOREIGN STUDENTS: TREIR
PROBLEES IN fiQHE flANAGEMENT

by Leslie Lieberman

This study of tho wives of foreign students focused
on their odoptotion to their rolo of wife nod mother while
living in a culture differing from that of their own nation.
An attempt was made to identify those problems common to
foreign wives or to particular group: of foreign wivos.

An attempt.uar also made to examine the sources of infor-
mation to help them carry out their role. A final aim of
tho etudy was to dotermino what kinds of assistance the
wives desired in order to bottor help them in their adjustn
meat.

The sample consisted of 32 wives drawn from 15 no—
tions who met the following criteria: (1) Be the foreign
wife of a foreign student or ho a foreign student herself.
(2) Have at least on: child who is residing with he: in
the United States. (3) Bo from tho culture areas of Africa,
Agia, Latin America, Israel, and Iran. Excluded from the
study were those families who were here as resident aliens,
or American citizens of foreign parentage.

Data were collected through interviews in the homes
of the wives. An interview schedulo was constructod con-
sisting of four parts: (i) A background questionnaire.

Loolio Lioboraan

(2) A comparative activity rocord form of tasks performed
by the wife and/or other persona both in nor home country
and in the United States. (3) A check list of questions
regarding specific problem areas. (4) A sorios of cyan-
ondcd questions designed to stimulate discussion relating
to probloms. oourcos of information, attempts to goin in-
formation, and typos of assistance desired.

Some of the major problems reported Nero gotting
adjusted to the changed pace of life, operating with moro
limited funds than they had been accustomed to, ottompting
to sqpoozo homomokinq and ocudomic activities into a limitod
amount.of time, aoapting to difforont foods, iving cs 3
single family unit without the support of relotivoa, find-
ing babysitters, gaining facility in spoaking and undarstond-
ing Englioh, and experiencing lonolinors and borooom.

Their most important aourcos of information wore
of an iotorpcrsonol naturoa friends, neighbors, husbands.
In learning English, their most valuablo tool was tolovision.

The thrco factors which most offoctod the adoptation
of tho wivoa worn friends, finances, and language ability.

Some oiffaroncoa between woman of difforont cultures
appoarod in tho tyocs of problems and kinds of adaptation
thoyoroportod.

Finally, tho typo of aooirtonco wives most often
wanted or thought to be moot important was contact with
other families, and information about living in the United

States.

WIVES 0F PGRSI’SEJ SlUDdE‘i'ISX

THZIR PRCELZXS IN HCEB @AEA33KENT

By

Leslie Lieberman

A PROBLEM

Submitted t0
Fiicmqan 5 tats Univer 51 ty
in partial fulfillment of the requirermnts
for the degree: of

MASTtR OF ARTS

Degm‘tamnt of Home Fwéxg'f:firézfit and «Build bemlcqmant

1955

ACKKQHLEDGMEHTS

The writer wishes to express he: appreciation to
Dr. Beatrica Paolucci for the encouragemant and guidance
which made this research possible. Appreciation is also
expressed to r . August Benson, Foreign Student Advisor,
and firs. Marjorie Jackson of his staff for their assistance.
Mrs. Pauline Schutmaat also provided considerable help by
intarviewing the Latin American wives. Gratitude is ex-
pxessed to Mrs. Shirley Brown and Mr. Leonard Lieberman
for thsir patienco and support. And, most of all, grati-
tude is exprcssed to all the wives who generously contrib-

uted their time and cooperation to the study.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Page
I.INTRODUCTION................. 1
II. REVIEW OF LITBRflTURE. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

111a NETfiODULOGY - u Q o - ¢ 0 a o o o o o o o c o 7
Sampla. s o o o t o o o o o o a o o o o a o 7
Development Of an Instrument. c a o o o o a 13
Collection of Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . l4
AflfilYBi‘ Of Data. 0 G o o o o a 0 ¢ I o o a 15
Linitations Of tho StUdYO o o o o 0 6 o o u 16

IV. DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE . a o ¢ 0 . . g o . o . 18
Nationality c o d o o a o a a O a a o o o o 13
Raligion. I t u o o o a o u o o 0 ¢ 0 o o o 19
Length of Residenca in the United Statas. . 19
Ag. 0 c o o o a a c o . o o o o O c o 0 ¢ 0 20
Length Of Marriage. u o o o o 0 ¢ - o . o a 20
Family 5123 and Agfl Of Childrfln o I a Q o o 23
Language Ability Of thfl Wives o n a o o o o 23
EdflC33tiOn o c o In a a n o o 0 a in u o n 22
Occupaticn Whiio Rasiding in the United

StEtRB o o 0 o I o o a o O 9 n o I o a o o 24
Income in the United Sthtafi o o o o o u 25
30C131 C13350 0 o a u a a o o o o o o c 25
v. FINDINGS. o o O o o o o o i o o 0 o o c o o o 28
Gilt-“ral- EaCeroun-d O o t o o o o a o o o O 23
Image Of Amarica. o 0 ¢ 6 c o o o 0 o a o c 29
Sources of Information. . . . . . . . . . . 30
Enclavos. t o o O u o o b c o o o o c 0 u o 32
Housing 0 o 0 o o n 0 o o o a o o c u c o o 33
Radical C836. O o o o o o o o a o o o O u a 35
Housakeeping Activities . . . . . . . . . . 35
Child Care.Activities o o a o o a o o o o t 41
Special Problems of Foreign Wivea . . . . . 44
1. Language 0 o o a o t o o u a o o 0 o 44

20 FifififlCfiS o o o o o u o o o o u c o o 45

3. Sharp Cultural Shifts. . . . . . . . 45

4. Family Relationships 0 o o a t o o o 46

50 Time I o o o O a . c o n o o o o o o 46
Adaptabili o 0 o o o o o o 0 o o u 0 ¢ 0 o 47
ABBiStanc. aired. c a o o o I o o o o o 48

Chapter P&ge
VI 0 $1336.15qu 0 o o o o o a o o o o o o o d o o 0 o 50
NQ‘Od :0: m that RasmCh 0 o o o o O 0 a o 5 2

VII. RECOX-IHEHDATIC'NS FOR FOREIGN SWDEN’! ADVISCR'S
OFFICBoQoqooooooooouooooo 54

BIBLIOGRAPHY. O O O O O O I O O O O I O O O O O O O 0 57

APPENDIX A! meatlonnaire. o o o o o o c I o o o o o 59

Table
l.

2.

3.

4.
5.

6.

7.

LIST OF TABLES

Breakdown of Foreign student Pepulation by
Marital Statu3 and Family Residence. o c o o 0

Summary of Breakdown of Foreign Studant Popula-
tion by Marital Status 3nd Family Residence. .

Distribution of Sample by Country of Citizennhip
Of Husband o a o c o c o o o o o o o n o o o a

Distribution Of Sample by Religion. 0 o o o o 0

A93, Length of marriage, Number of Children and
Aga Of Children Of Sample. 0 o o c o o o I e a

Languaga Ability, Education, and Occupational
Status Of Sample 0 o o o o o o u u g o 0 u o 5

Monthly IBCOMB in tn. United States 9 o o o o o

11

18
19

23
27

CHAI'Ta’; R I
I TROLMC‘I’ION

Tho number of foreign students enrolled in colleges
and universities in the United Statos is incrcaaing. Before
World War II the total never exceeded 10,630 but by 1362~63

the total had micron (mm-0,1

and 160,0GU is profiictod

by 1970.2 Eany of these students are graduate students,

who are older, nnd.morriod. Tho wives of the foreign students
may face numerous problems of adapting their home manage-
ment practices to new and GL ‘forent conditions. their prob-
lems deserve attontion because the numbor of such wives

is likely to increase as tho number of foreign ntudonta
incrcnoos.

At fiichigan Stato University the numnor of foroign
students is likely to increase more than at mnny other in-
stitutions bocauso of the university's programs of spacial
interest to persons in developing nations, ad becauso-of
tho aid given to development of universitios in such nations
as Ni geria and Taiwan, and because of tie speciol encoura'-
went givon to foreign students to attend the univaraity.

A; L

1August 6. Benson, ”Foreign Students in United States,
Higher Ea ication” (unpublished manuscript, Office of the
Foreign Student Adviser, Michigan Utato Univoroity. 19u4),
p! 10

2M‘fifi Cat‘:nn th? ‘Tniqpnrqlhf I‘m-“4 {km ”cu-54” SJ—u-

-fiwnrhm-m n!- ‘9“ "QM-«p. m-»fi‘_W-ww

cont (flawrlofkt gammittuo on the .uioign atuouut in Amar-
Icon Colleges and Universities, 1953), p. 5.

l

 

In the Fall of 1964 thorc were 882 foreign students from
84 countries attending fiichigan State University. Of that
number, 36.6% listed their status as married and approxi-
mately two—thirds of the husbands brought their wives with
then. hourly half had both wives and children living with
them.

It is important to study the welfare of these fan-
ilies for three related reasons: (1) since 79% of the stu-
dents came from non-Western and developing nations. their
wives face problems of adjusting to a strange culture.

(2) The pressures of family problems on a husband and
father can influence his performance in his role as stu-
dent. (3) At present, assistance to the wives by the Uni-
versity is limited to English language classes and on in-
formal program of contact with host families. Tho office
of the Foreign Student Advisor wishes to provide more com-
prohonsivo orientation program and needs information on
which to base its program.

The rosonrch problem reported below aimed at notor-
mining the noture and variety of adaptation problems in
areas of family living experienced by foreign wives at Kich~
igan State University. The study focuses upon their prob-
loms of homo management and child care and, therefore, is
within the scope of the field of homo Managomant and Child
Development. The specific objectives of the stufiy were:

1. To determine how tho wivos go about performing
those tasks which are associated with their roles as wives

and mothers.

2. To determine how they obtain infcrmation to
afizry out thair roles.

3. To ascertain what they consider t3 be thair
greatest difficulties in performing thair tales in this
country.

4. Ta determine the kind of assistaucm th&t they
dasire.

5. To prasent tha above informaticn and recammendaw
tiona to the Cffice 0f Fogeign Studwnt Afiviaax fur uga in
ex“ 3:31.343 tiara orieznfization prcngrram for fareigtl :5 turkznizs.

6. To develop and test an instrument fer gatgwr~
ing data which may ba-useful t0 the Fereign Stmdcnt Adviflar's

Cffice at Michigan State University.

CKAPTSR II
REVIEW CF LITERATURE

A libxary aaarah for litaratura relakwfl t0 this

.0

problem revwals a s;zdhle and gruwlng bcdy of matazial an
foreign atuiants in the United Stat53,1 tut anly 0&3 itam
of research was faund which dirafitly studied the wiv3a of
foreign studmnts, the 1954 thesis by A. H. Diaz.2

The Dias research included Only the wivas of Latin
American students at fiicnigan 5t&ta Enivgrsity. Dian fauna
that only 17% of thm wivas conaidmred thamselves to be ad~
justed. She alsa feund ”some indications" as influence
upon adjustment frmm seven factors: language facility,
social class, finances, education, friends, langth of stay
in the United States, and fiiffexences in role exyectatiwns;

but she acknowledges that no ralaticnship was ”statistically

1a few major works on foreign students in thm united
3- £63 are listed in the bibliograwhy and inclufla works by
Heals, Bannett, DuBois, Seltiz, et al. A statistical repart
prepared for the Faraiga Student Advigcr's Office at Mich-
igan Stata Univarsity by Mrs. Paulina Schutmaat camparad
the Latin Anarican studenta at highigmn Stata with mthar
Latin American students at other universities. She tabu~
Inked thair age, 30x, raligion, marital status, f ngncial
support, academic status, grade point average, field of
study, and type of visa.

2A. M. aiaz, ”An Exploratory Study of the Adjust~
meat Problams of tha Latin-amarlcan stuaonta' Rivas and
Pagtors Affecting This Adjustment," unpublished Mastar's
Thesis, Richigan Stata University, 1954.

significantly associntod with adjustment level." Dias con-
cludes her study by racommanding thht a similar study he
conducted in the future with farcign studants' wives from
Other countries to determinc if the Latin Amarican students'
wives had unique problems.

While the Diaz thesis was a planner study on feraign
student wives, it was limited to Latin American wives and
their general adjustment. The study reported here utilized
a more representative grouy of nations and focused an the
management role. The use cf several nations allowed cem-
parativo analysis of problama of wives from different cul~
taxes as a mafia of QXplanation rather than tha carrelation
of variables as used by Dian. Instead of measuring adjasto
meat, a highly subjective item, it will be asaumed that,
whatever the level of adjustment may be, it will be affectad
by tha problems the wivas report as most troublesome. Thssa
problems themselves constitute the major focus of the pres-
ent rehearch.

The Gian study cancludes with suggaationa for future
use in helping fareign wives achiave adjustmant. Host of
these suggestians focus upon orientatian programs at name
before departura and after arrival at the host university.
fier most rpficific auggestion is that volunteer foreign and
Earth American wives aid in the adjustment (59). host of
her suggestians are uaeful but they are at a ganeral lavel.
which leaves any oriantaticn prmjact still lacking the

specific content of its pragram far tha new foreign

wife. The identification of Specific problems constitutes

the major focus of tho stuéy :epcrtad.

CnavTER III

ME THO 001.05”!

From the Foreign Student Advigor'a office, a list-
ing of foreign students enrdllad for courdes at Hichigan
state University was obtained. This list included all stuu
dents WhO$$ primary purposa is pursuing acadamic caurse
work and who are in tha United States on etudent or visitor
status, "xcluding immigrants and persons currantly balding
foreign citizanship, but who have been permanent residents
of tha United States.

From this list it was possible to select those stu-
dents who listed their marital status as married. A5 at
fibvember, 1364, there were 682 students from 84 countries,
of which 237 men and 36 woman, or a total of 36.6%, ware
married. Elimination of the 133 Canadian studants, who
are legally foreigners. but culturally very c1933 to the
American citizen, left 744 foreign studants, of whom 242
men and 32 women (35.8%) were married.

By chacking addrestds of those students 11? %g in
married student handing, contacting naticnality club pres~
idents, talking to vari-us foreign students who knew othar
foreign students, and through direct phone contacts with

sons of the students, t was possible to ascartain which

studfints word accompanicd by their agouses, and furthcr,
whether they had childron who wore living with them in the
United states. It war also found that some students had
completad their dogroos and departed for their own countriefiv
a few were officially enrollod in the University, but wore
residing in other parts of the United States or in their
home country, and soveral nawly worried students had come
to the University since the Foreign Student Adviscr's list-
ing had boon prepared.

Because this study was primarily concerned with
the odjustmont problems of families from non-western or
developing nations, Surcpo, Australia, and new Booland,
representing a total of 23 married males, no marriod females,
was furthor eliminated. In May, 1953, 5 revised list of
203 marriod males and 29 married females from Latin America,
Asia, Africa, Southwest Asia (India and Pakistan), the mid-
dle East and the Caribbean was prepared. Of the 203 married
males, 129 (63.5%) had their wives with them, 68 (33.5%)
had left their wives at home, and 6 (3%) were married to
American girls. Eighty-four (41%) had children who wort
living with them in the Unitad States. (?or a breakdown
by culturo araas, soc Table 1.) Of the 29 worried females,
16 were part of a. fortlgn studxant couple, 1 was married
to an American, and 12 were studying independently. Gno
of the 12 had bar children with bar.

Because of limitations of time and finances, the

researcher selected only the culture areas of Africa, Asia

m .;.%.H.COH%OU
m flvJumpflxmw<
:m#mmxcm

0.4:H

'IIII ..-...

mma xfiwa

...)II. .’E I ..Ill

A

Q.
I
KO
l
Q'Q'CON'
m
N

V
m HH l vH 0H N mm m
m Ha N

W60
5
O\

H mausm
H mead
m amz pofi>
w mammamz
b dwnozowzH
mm Emmaflmna
mm mofiwnxwmfiwflm
- .mH mfixsxm
hm swamn
mm wouom
OH mmox mcom
:4 fig
How. wwmd
gmmefiuSOm

om .mcoflpmz umruo
m mammuozm
wm mflummflz
u mfluonflq
b mmcwx
m mamzw
m .oom coon mEmU

. \I‘IIIII'II'II.

on U«L»<

I
H
l
I
[H
I
)H
I

IHI
ll
1)

E
Ir-ir-INLDFr—ix

IMVI
r-IKOr-IBFNODKON Ir-lr-ll

<1

3—!

awn Ibwnoumcoril
uua

LnOlm'd'lQ‘t-ll
Q‘r-l

Q‘KD

N'i'l‘ INF-l IR?

1-!

H P)

NU)

N

NH

om 'HHHMH'
r-im 'NHHMH'

 

I m
IIHHMHI
IIIHHI
IHHNmI
IHHQHI
IHHIHI
H
IHHIHI
r-l

HIHNvMHI
mrdflcuvkorll

(0
RD
N
N

OH 0

m
N
m

 

 

 

:uiUH.n£U COHUHHLU m9>%> 050$ .m.D mgcovzpm mwzmfisym mpchS#m mvcmvzym mycwfizwm hupCSOU
0*. . swam ..uw cw ommE.u L mad: OHQEGM ofimz wo
.m.: Cw mc>m3 5mmE< mabax mo>fi3 T;.Ai:; izfigxuw U®4HMJS $60 HMLm: HGQESZ
m or .::.v;m xzc~ Ti ram
1 I4- . -3124)‘....nv.,:'u.luit..H..l..o1 ...l A 2...)- w. !.l . .,. III M. ml...“ . 1A ..NHHH H.464- .-lnc.n.|..14uHuM.|llhv. .Uu'hlldllli..r ....l. I . I}? -.u‘ ...U. “Hutu JiHItJuHIIIHthuuH.I~..Au 1:}.-- .lll...\|1.~u.n.lltll.N.ulllI.lJJ “\«le (lufll‘ ...“).Iil‘rlwtfi. 4": H-1H.I....Illfl. .uf.h.lufiu

i.) LI, .l\-... 1.... .x .4; ..‘u ... In.) .-. {'41 .u . ..JEC .ul ...\o .l... ‘ . .1 u .I. ..- J .‘O... .I . \ - I
firvflfilrv H 0 an“ ..NH _. ”11$... ..x r; _w ..U 30.. .u .-n U p. ”U. m. -... (4...; Lin“. C..C u .... F .m _.J>H.p..... ..tkC @2170. .-....x TL >02H Ufio T “(UFVATM . o H 0 ma HHMH.

10

.mHQEmN .mfiflmmb .mmaHNcmN
.QUHum< :HSOm mo COHCD .®>H@Hdz .Mmdmdez .pmmou >MO>H .mocaso .coamo .GHQOqumI

.‘ I
III I III I . III 11:! I

 

 

 

H I I v H H m H m HH mmanawmmm
H ¢ I I m I m I m m OUHXQE
I I I I I I I I I N mEmcmm
I I I H I I H I H H mSOMMMUHz
I I H I I I H I H N mauswcom
I N I I N I N I N m MHMEQHMEG
H I I I H I H I H N uovm>Hmm Hm
I I I I I I I I H N muHm mimou
I I N Shem

IMGMHSG .um

H m I I v I d I v mH mHMSNOCU>
I N I I N I N I N m u. C m. 4.... ...... m
N N I H w I m I H NH mHnesHou
I m I N m I w I OH NH mHng
I N I H N N N N NH EN HHNmHm
I w I I ..q I v I m m mew, u 4.4. mam ......HH
m om H m mm N HH N NH NOH mUHHIemiqumm

w ouuouoz .uHmz

st .cmvuow
H cmvfim
m mHu>m
m commnmq
HN mHanm Hvzwm
NH Hoxuse
mN gamma
6N vMMH
NH HQQ.WH

Gena

I<rw IFII
kON'QI‘KOCDN Iv-‘lr-IN
I I I
I IN IFII
OVI‘KDNKO [NI-IN
r...
r-IONMV‘NI
\QI‘FKOV‘KOr—INHN
r-I
(\Ir-INMV'N I
LOCONKOW'ILDNNHH
...;

VNO”)

N
I

060
V
V
NU
H

(‘fi

(*1?
m
0
r-I ~
Us
3.

ll

‘.'|!I.| I

14 (.‘Iiifiill'lt’n (I ‘

I '5‘: ... {ll-9i

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ON ON O OO ONH ON NON NN OHN OOO HOHOO
.HI .Hu .nu .wI .HII .HI .MII .HI .MII OH OOOHOHHOO
OH ON II O OO HH OH NH mO ONH Hmmm OHOOHz
OH NH H NN ON OH OI HH Hm HON mHmm
O HH N HN OH N NO O OH ONH cmHchszma
.OOHOHHON
.QHHOCH
N O N OH O m HN m ON ON OUHHHO
m Om H m mm N HO N Ow NOH OOHume<
I OHHOH
CQHGHng cwutHHLU wm>H3 GEOI .m.D mpCmUSHW mHCQUSHM mucmwzpm mHchfipm mycw©5pm mwh<
Im: CmUH Hm CH ongmh mHmE mHmEom me2 MO «HSHHSU
nm.D CH wm>mz lumE< m0>H3 mo>H3 vwmmudzI.UoHuHmz fiQfiWHMfi NWHHHQS HGQESZ
mmmH SFHHIHHHVI wwOHIIHJHHmm
mocoUHmmm

hHHEwm Ucm mswmwm HQHHHGZ mg :oHpmHzmom 9

-HQ

wsgm CDHmuom mo Czomxwoum mo kHMEESm .N wHQwB

12

and tun natians item the Middle Eaat: Isreel and Erna,
fer atuey. The aample was further limited by including
enly those wives of foreign students who had children.
It was felt that wives with children unuld present a greater
range ef problems, altheugh ifi was recognized that by ex~
eluding wives without children some kinds of preblems would
be missed.
An attempt wag made to secure an interview with

every wife -39 met the following criteria:

1.

I?

the foreign wife of a fereign student’s: be a
foreign student herself.
2. fieve at least one child who is residlng with her
in the United States.
3. Be from the culture areas of Africa, Asia or Israel
and Iran.
Excluded frm the study were there families who were here as
resident aliens, or American citizens of foreign parentage.
Also excluded were Arerican wearer. married to foreign mm,
and foreig wives who qui left their children in their
Imus counfiry.

Of 24 wcmen who met these criteria, 20 were included
in the study. One wife refused, and three were unable to
grant interviewa due to language barrier (1) and lack of
time because of academic commitments (2).

A second sample of Latin American wives was simul~
taneously studied threugh the Foreign Student Afiviser's

office. Era. Pauline Schutmeat was assigned to interview

13

wives from South America, Central America and Mexico, using
the aamo intervbew schedule developed for study with the
Asianwefricanrfiiddlo Eastern samgle. Using the some cri—
tnrln for selection, as stated above, 12 nonnrandom inter-
VLows were secured from a possible 30, with wives from 8
different countries. Hrs. Schutmaat chose to select at
loaat one «if. from cach.country. end 2 wives from coun-
trlea with larger numbers of married men in attendance at
Michigan state University.

BeireLOET-‘Pzfip t C Le; 1112.71. ,8 if; I 18533;

A four-pert questionnaire was devologed for this
study. It consisted of:

1. A Background Sheet for information on national-
ity; ago; religion; length of marriage; number. egos, and
sex of children; education and language ability of wife;
and family finances.

2. A Comparative Activity Hate Sheet for recording
data regarding homemeking and child core activities in five
areas: Food, Laundry, Musehold Tasks, Finances, and Child
Care. Seece was allotted for information on practices here
in the waited States as compared to practices in the homo
country; assistance from husband, children, relatives, servm
ants; and any apeclal problems.

3. Frohlem.Areasx A checklist of questions regard-
ing Housing, Transportation, medical Care, Religion, Baby-
sitting arrangements and the use of Community aad University

R8 SOUI‘CQEI o

14

4. Span-ended Questions assigned to find out haw
web information wives had about American life befara lax-
rival, sources of information before and artar arrival,
specific problams, and.kinda of assistance they would have
liked t0 have or think other newly arriving viva; would
like to hafim.

The use of ogenuended questions and tha loosely
ttmctured nommak.mg activity sheets were aimed at amps:
penetration into the, Specific problems of foreign wives
in their attempts at adaptation. It was through discussion
that many facets came to light and greater insight was achieved.

glitctignkgf 33.3323

Telephone contacts were made with each prowess tive
interviewee to arrange a cwweniamt time for the intuview.
Intarviewa wart COMUfitfld mornings, afternoons, evenings,
and melanin-:25 to fit in with the paternal schedules of the
wives. Host intmieua ram between tm and titan-ac: hours,
averaging about two and a lmlf nous. A in: lasted three
or four hours.

All interviews were conducted in the. homes 01? the
wives, winch emblem! the interviewer to minmin a relaxed,
informal atmoaplmra which would allow for frwflowing dis-
cussion. Every attmnpt was made to keep the interview can
I personal, friendly baais rathar than a moro formal struc-
tured basis. It was fat-1t by tha remain: tiwt that“: wivess,

coming fram cu}. turea that 8:201:91)! enmhasiza interpersoxml

13

relations and which are less concerned shunt mattara of
time, efficiency, and organization, mid ngspreciata an
American contact that was more intimata and, thaxefere,
they would fael freer to exprass their feelings about prob—
lems and abcut thosa aSpects of American lifa that ware
pcrplexlng or trouble$ome to them.

In adaltlon to data collected through discussion
and direct questianlng, it was possible for tha researcher
to observe the appmaranca of tna apartment, the degree of
relaxation of the wife, and in many instances. tha intar-
actian of wife ana husband, father and child, and wife and
child. The interviews: interacted freely with the young
children present, and it was poafiible to observe the degrea
cf acculturatlaa taking place in theae children.

For the Latin American sample, firs. Schutmaat con»
ducted he: interviews in both Spanish and English. firs.
Schutmaat is an American wife and mother, who has lived
in South America for'nineteen years, and is presently pur-
suing graduata work at Hichigan Stata University. Several
meetings were arranged with has, before, duzlng, and after
he: interviewing, in atae: to explain ha puryose of the
study, instruct in the use of the qusationnaize, and check

over her recording of data.

35213911 03: “a 2-:
Data have bean analyzed deacrlptivcly and camparac
tlvely among culture areas. Data have begn analyzed in

order to determine:

15

l. The major problems most common to all foreign
wives.

2. .hcsc problems peculiar to wives from a partic~
ular culture or region.

3. Those problems occurring less frequcntly but
of major concern to a family.

4. The assistanca thcy received from foxmal and
informal sourcea which they consider to have been most vain
uable.

S. The kinds of assistance they would have liked
to have had when they first arrived.

£33353 w c f the: 5 ‘1: 49:.

This study was limited in that it did not sampla
all of the foreign wives. Omitted warn the Indians who
make up a sizable number of foreign students and several
nations of the Middla East, most notably Egypt, Iraq, and
Turkey.

A second limitation was that it included only those
wives who hava children. This had two major conseqncnces:
(1) Certain nations were under—represented in the sample,
such as Japan and China in which many of the wives ware
childless. (2) Excluding wives without children vauld serve
to bias the sample in such charactaristics as age and langth
of marriage. Younger, newly married wives would not be
included.

The instrument which was designed to gather a maximum

17

of information in a flexible manner proved to be limiting.
The cyan-cnéod questions and loosely organired section on

hon making activities wore not satisfactory when urod by

an untrained interviewer. Although an attempt wag mafia

to insiruct the intorviowor of the Latin Amorican rowplo

in the uge of the inatruuout, the dato collected woro not
fully comparable to those of tho Asian-African-Miodlo Eastern
sample. Tho areas of homemaking activity were not as fully
explored and the data recorded for the Latin American sample
were scant.

a final limitation of thi study was the lock of
funds for hiring intorpreters. In two cages whore tho wife
did not apoak English, the hurbond sorvcd or an interpretor,
but in tho third case, tho intcrviow could not be arranged.
This is an important orirrion for it is just such wives
who are cut off by language birricrs who may have the most

problems and mood tho most help.

Ci it's 'k’ IQ“ IV

CESCRIPTION CF SANELa

 

The sample consisted of 32 wives from 18 countries;
12 were from Latin America, 5 from Africa. 9 from Asia,

and 6 from the Middle East.

Tabla 3- istribution of Sample by Country of Citizenship
6f husband

.3 : w“Cm—1‘“: ‘fl‘h‘v‘ * M ‘ - :1.

Latin Infirica 12

Ecudc:
Guatemala
Msxico
Vanfizuula

Argwntina
Brazil
Chile
Columaia

Hum»
HMPH

5,375??? 5
Xanya
Higazia
Rhedesla

tdunfl

Taiwan (Furmosa) 3
Lama 1

Fhllipplu¢s
Japfin
ficzaa

HWdua

_g1dd1a 5:1; 6

Israel 4
Iran 2

Host of the wives ware born and reared in the cguntry
from which they had come. Four exceptions were: (1) The
Chinese wifa from L303 who was born and reared in Infiia,

studied in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and had most recently livad

18

i?

in Laos; (2) An Israeli girl who was born and reared in
Eorocco and wheae family emigrated to Israel; (3) A Spanish
girl married to a maxican bay she had met in the United
States; (4) An Italian girl from Brazil.

Religion

Seven religigua categnries ware rg§reignteéx Catha
ollc (18), Protestant (3), Jewish (4), Jewish Orthodox (l),
Paulina (2), Baru'i (l), and None (3).

Table 4. Distribution of Sampla by Religion

 

 

 

 

Latin America Agla

Catholic ll Catholic 5
Jewish 1‘ brotgstant l
H none 3
3

Africa Nifiéle East
Catholic 2 Jewish 3
Protestant 2 Jewish Orthodox 1
Muslim 1 Muslim 1
3' Baha'i g"
6

ggngth 95 Resigapge in fire Urttad Stfitflfi

 

The length of residence in the United States ranged
from four months to nine tad a half yaara. Eleven wives
had been in the United State& less than one year, 7 had
been here from ona to two years, and 14 had baan here over

two years.

Age

The wives ranged in age from 18 to 49, with a mean
of 28.5 and a médian of 27.5. Latin Amarican and Asign
woman tandad to ba oldur (M s 29) than the fiffiififlfl and

Middle Eastern wfimfin (M n 24 and 2?, zaSpectlvely).

Length of Farriagfi

The length of marriage cf tra aaxple rang“: from
9 months to 22 years, with a mega cf 4 years and a meflian
of 5 years. The Latin Am&r1can mafian and tha flalan women
were also marriad langer, averaging &evcn yeara of marriage,
as comparad to the African woman who avgra"?d three yaars
and tha Niddla Bastarn wmmen whm avata;fid £91; and one half

years.

Femily_33$e afid Age Gf Chilareq

The factors of age and length of marriage were re-
flected in the family size and age of chlldxan. The African
and Middle Eastern women who wmre ycunger and.maxrled a
shorter period of timu had one or two children, all undar
the age of 5. Large: family size was to be found among
the Latin American and Asian women who had frcm one to six
children. Of the Latin American children, 46% hare schaol
age, 7% were adolescents. Cf tha Asian children, 35% were

school age.

Lanr'u‘ age Abiiiti of 1;th giggefi
At the time of interview nearly all of the African,

Asian, and midéle Eastern wivea spoke English. One wife

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 5. Age, Length of Marriage, Number of Children and
Age of Children of Sample
Latin Middle
Factor Total American African Eastern Asian
Aoe
Range 18—49 22-40 19—27 18-29 25-49
Mean 28.5 29.5 24 25.5 31
Median 27.5 29 24 27 29
Length of
Marriage
Range 9 mo.- 9 mo.-
Mean 4 7 3 4.5 7
Median S 6.5 3 5 5
Family Size
1 child 17 5 4 4 4
2 children 6 2 l 2 l
3 children 6 3 3
4 children 1 1 O
5 children 1 O 1
6 children __1_.. __l_ _ _ __
Total No. of
Families 32 12 5 6 9
Ago of Children
Range 9 da.- 2 mo.- 9 da.- 4 mo.- 19 da.-
20 yr. 14 yr. 5 yr. 4 1/2 yr. 20 yr.
Newborns 3 0 2 O 1
(9 da.-3 wk.) (5%) (33%) (5%
Infants 6 3 .0 2 1
(2 mo.-l yr.) (10%) (11%) (25%) (5%)
Toddlers 12. 3 l 3 5
(1-2 1/2) (20%) (11%) (17%) (37.5%) (25%)
Preschool l8 7 3 3 5
(3-5) (30%) (25%) (50%) (37.5%) (25%)
School Age 20 13 7
(6-12) (32%) (46%) (35%)
Adolescents 2 2 0
(13-14) (2%) (7%)
Young Adults L1 1
(20) _(__]_._% __ __ __ _(_5_%)
Total No. of
Children 62 28 6 8 20

 

spoke oomo English and one spoke very littlo English, but
was studying the language. Half of the Latin American wives
spoke English, a quarter spoke some English, and a quarter
spoke no English.

The English language background of the wives was
varied. Their language background can be classified into
four categories:

1. Those from countries where Enolioh is the pron
dominant language spoken.

2. Those from bilingual or multilingual countries
in which one or more native languages or dialects is spoken,
but English hocomos the lingpa Pragfe. Generally, school
subjects are taught in English.

3. Those who have studied anglish as a second or
foreign language, either on a compulsory or electivo basis.

4. Those with no knowledge of English upon arrival
in the United States.

The Philippines and Africans are in category 2;
the remainder of the foreign wives are in category 3 or 4.
Twonty-four wires had studied English as a foreign language
for periods ranging from six months to eight years, and

five had no knowledge of English upon arrival.

Educatggg

 

The sample ranged in education from four wives who
have attended high school to two wives who are working on
their Fh.0. degrees. Over half of the total sample (55x)

have had college exocrience.

 

23

    

 

Odo-IF! Fir-1H"

  
 

h-IN ”NO!

5352 ”38.
53:98 on no ennui 33%
£3.35 I50. 333.
5.338 3.89

2.2 an 5305 .633 yen 3m
.3303 on 3 3a»: 3de
3.366 clan mama»
£335 “53%

33 an 3335 3323

5349.6 330.»:
P3500 n25 V Inn
.39..

g 393
vcdxug m2.» «vac:

magma»,

«030$ 93%»... an: .5
333 @3333

ufiufii .32 3

  
  

 

mum-o an!!!

 

Q‘Ov QIIH'VC

 

amounou c3.§muu
02.33 v33»:

«033 Sub no .3338
"343 a»? voyage
«03.3 :3: 333......

333 gfimmém

 

5... «9‘

53an flamcuum a “my.“ ”0941.13 ow

OHUQHE

can..."

 

 

Hannah

39th .3 ”33m gfiaonsug Ea .3333... .5433. 3:354 .m 33

When broken down by culture area, some differences
appeared. Of the Latin Amarican sampla, one-third had at-
tended.or graduated from college; nona were presently en—
rolled in academic work. 0f the Asian samgle. all had at-
tended or graduated from college, and two-thirfis had dame,
or wars fining, graduate work. 0: the 5 African wives, 2
were, 0: had been, attending Lansing Euainass Univarsity,
and 2 ware engaged in graduata wark. Cf tna Kidéla aafitarn
group, half had attended c: gzafiuated {rem collage.

In summary. the Asian wives had the highest educan
tional attainment; the African and middle Sastern wiv¢s,
who ware younger, shared the naxt highest eflucational lavels

and the Latin Americans had the lowest level.

Occupatimngwhiiggfiesifigpg_;nnthg Uggtggwfitggggr

Half of tha wives were full—time hgmemakars and
one was babysitting at home. Tan were gaing to school 0r
had baen going to schocl. Threa of the ten had completad
their degrees and one was out of school, tamporarily, ban
cause of childbirth. Five of tha wives were working full
or part timm or were looking for work at the time of the
interview.’

All but one of the Latin American wives were at home.

The one, who brought her maid with hat, was working part

 

’Governmant regulaticns strictly limit the employn
meat of foraign students and their spouses. moat foreign
wives are not allowed to Hark. Those wives reported as
warking or seeking work have had their visas changed.

fir:
...)

time in a prefesslonal rclo. By contrast, half of tha
Afrlcm-Aslan-Hlddle Eastern sample were, or had man,
attending school, a. quarter were involved in working, am:

a matter were at home an fullotiam hmwmhers.

w a 4 “ V, ‘L .' ?_ Ln
a'rnrq tn fha .nl.é! «t: :3

- -
AA-‘

 

'hu avastge monthly incuwe while in the Unitfid
States ranged from $185.03 per month to $1,633.03 per manth.
A few had summer employmant, cc: JQLJ, c: hthyai_tinj by
the wifa which added to their income.

Ten had incumaa of under $330 a month, 13 ha; in-
come; bctgcen $330 and $503 a menth, and 3 had inccmes ever
$580 a munth. Eleven {.milies rapaxtud that the anaunt
they xeceivcd was inadequate.

When naked whether they consldured their financial
status to ho better, tha same, or worse than it wculd be
at home, 4 thought they were better off, 9 about the same,
and 17 worse off. Two could not datermina what it would
ha like at home.

Social Class

No direct measure of social class was attemptad,
but, through saveral questions in the interview smhedule
and through various cluas drfljffid during diacnsslon, it
was possible to aseertaln the appraximnte position of the
family in the social system of their own country. Sacial
status ranged from rising middle class to established uppar

class.

27

Fathers“ occupations ware mostly in the husinaas
and professional clags. The occupations of the fatnnzs
ranged from farmer to trwy ganaral. Husbanda' QCCUpatiGna
in the home country mafia mostly student, cavernmant s;r~-
ialist, or university teachar or resaarcher.

Nearly :11 were from urhan areas, eitheg capital
cities er suburbs of capital citias, er laxge matropolitan
treas. Ont girl Gama {ram 5 ccmg"und in Nigeria, ene from

a hibbutz in Iszaal.

CZ {ELF 338.33 V

FIRUING3

One of the mafia: findings of this study, and fine
which must be kayt in mind in intaryceting much of tha data,
WESthat there is distnrtion in both the American'a imag
0f the fogeign student and the {creign student‘s image cf
America.

Often, the American thinka of the fareign student
who is from a dcvcloginq or non-Westcrn naticn as someone
coming from a culture less advanced than our awn, foxgct-
ing that, though sac of the mataxial 33pactc cf cur own
culture may be lacking, these foreign cultures arc in coma
aspects as advanced as our awn. Ottaa the foreign student
comes from an upper stratum cf his own society and is a
participant in a sophisticated, urban culture which ha&

been influenced by Westarn ccntact.

Cultuxal Rackgrcund

The wives studiad in this research represented a
wide diversity of backgrounds, with varying degrees of con-
tact with the American culture. A {aw wives had come to
the United Statas as aingla students, and their accultura—
tion has taken place mostly in the dermitoriea and class-
rooms. Some, such as the philippinas, had. come from a

nation which has had stxong Amarican contact. For we

29
Chimera women, with little Amarican influence in their own
country, the ahift from one culture to another has been
drastic. Latin Amrrican wives reported that, except for
language differoncea and social-family relationships, life
was pretty much the same here as it was at home. The African
women and Israeli woman had had some contact with Americans
at home, but generally found that there wore many aspects
of life in the Unitad States requiring adaptation on their
parts. The two Iranian women in the sampla reported prac—
tically no contact with the Amorican pattern of life, beforo

”rival o

Irwg; r? it ”23515:;

Rudrly all of the responéonts interviewed by the
researchar reportefl that American films had created an imaga
of the Arfirican may of life that was highly exaggerated.
many of the husbands and wiver found, upon arrival, and
often with something akin to shock, that life here was not
at all like it is pictured in tho movies. Tho films showed
A luxury and leisure which contrasts sharply with the family
life they oboorve around them, and with the life they them-
selvea arr living. A: one Chinese put it, "Paoplo work
very hard here. Tho American woman works very hard all
day taking care of her houao and her children. People at
home don't believe mo when I tell them how hard Americana
work.“ “The fact that there are poor people living in the
United State: came as a aurpriae to some. One wife summed

up the films: "It is all fantasy. Nothing is real."

$3

Booka and magazines, particularly lifa and Time,

 

helped to contribute to an imagu of American life for some
of the wives. The Philippine wbmen reported access to all
imerican magazines.

Thu most important source for a realistic image
came from friends and relatives wha had been to the United
States and returned home. It was through friends that the
African mén and unman became awara of race relations, food
differences, aad the cold climata. In school they had stud-
ied American hiatgry and American geography, but nothing
about American family life. Nearly all of the wives ex-
cept the Chinase and Iranian: reported Contact; with Amer-
leans in their own country or with friends or ralativaa
who had visitad 0r livad in the Unitad Statas.

Same wives had expected the cast of living 13 the
United States to be much lower, gmnrralizimg from the fact
that clothing. apglianqas, and 6&5! are so much cheaper in
the Unitad States than at home. Thosr wives who had had
aarvants at heme were awira that they would be unavailable

and were prepared to managa withaut than.

Scurcaa4cf Infcraatigg

None of the wives hafl any sort of orientation pro—
gram either bsfnre or aftar arriving in the United States.
most thought such a program would have been useful. A com-
munity-spcnaorad Host Fimily program designed to provide

hospitality and assistance to fareign students from American

(...
f0

familiaS raved to be of littla sweetsfi with the families
in this study. Paw had a host family and only one wife
reported vary much contact with ha: host family.

In response to questions aimed at finding out how
they managad duxing their first we¢ks in tha new environ-
mant, and how they obtained informatimn, nearly all of the
wives citad sources of an interparawnal nature: friends,
neighbors, husband. A few mantioned such mean» as checking
newspaper ads, telephone directnry, twading hooks, observa-
tion of cthers, and exploring on one‘s own.

host wives mentioned that fziends had helped them.
The Philippino women were more specific: their help came
from other Philippines, and they had made contact with fam—
ilies in tie United States before departing from their cauntry.
Israalia and Africans, also, had contacts from the beginning
of their stay in the United States through their resgective
nationality clubs. An staaii girl, Wham asked, "who would
you ask?,” reapcnded, “First another Israeli, then anothar
foreign person, and than an American. in that order." Sev-
eral of tha wivaa reported a special friand as being of
great assiatance. fiany mentioned their neighbars as being
sources cf aid.

Five cf the wives came to the Unitad States a year
to two years sitar their husbanfis had come here, and learned
from their husbands. (Three came as brides.) One husband
patiently taught his wife everything Khe needed to know,
then daciding, ”It's all very easy." left he: to manage

affairs.

Epclawos

 

It has often.been mated by Amsrican observers at
the University that the foreign students and the families
of the fareign atuéants tend to farm enalrve5. The rasearch
carriad out here did, in fart, anew that tartain grunps
had ‘vary strong intaractian pat arms with tnair own mam~
bars, 50mg, almost to the exclusian of cantacts with Amar-
icnn groupg.

The Philigfiinas, Iaraslis, and AfiiCififl rey$rtad
strong interaztion wit: each other through that: nationality
club membership, through informal anzial mautings, and par-
ticularly in resgonso to thc questimns regarding suursfis
of information and aaurces of asristanaa upnn arrival.
Africans and Israalis $139 repsrtaé an interast in can.3ct
with Americans and did participata in American absial lifa.
Tim-133 three groups re;;«r~ytwj few 1.xm?.l«%~m;~s in tux-p.11? 1241.181
adaptation to the American way or life, and aaamei to find
their first weeks of life in tha United states mach easier
because of the halp they Ififl¢1V$d U39“ arrival.

Tha Chinese; who d0 net hava a strong nationality
club, and tha Latin Amaricana, who have no nationality club
(ex ressed the realiugs that thry did not want one, either),
reporteé MQIQ difficulLiesluyon arrival. The Chinuse ap—
peared to be aura indupeadgut in thair quest for informa~
tion on how to function in a new rituation. They rcported,
as sources of infurmation, obaervatiwn, explwration 0n their

own, asking a neighbor. This centrasts with Philippines

33

who always stated, "ask another Fhilippino." During the
interviews it became apparent in thc researcher that most
of tha Chinese wives did not know vary many of the other
Chinese wivas. The incepecdent action taken by the Chinese
wivua may be due t0 their greater education and expatiencc.
All were collega graduataa, and three of the four had earned
master's degrees at American univcrsitien.

The Latin Americans appeared to find each othcr
shortly after arrival, but not through organized means.
Becausa of their common languAQQ, they maintain ties with
each othcr. Four of the group, when asked what kind cf
assistance would have bean moat halpful upon arrival, stated
they would hava liked some kind of welcoming committee. or
at least samaone they could have turned to for help in find-
ing out about haw to do things. They specifically stated
that a member of their group could best help them.

Housing
All of the students except one were living in warn

rind student housing at the time of the intarview. Univer-
sity married student housing consists of the one and two
bedroom furniahed apartments renting for $90 and $96 par
month. Included in the rent are utilities, phone, main»
tenance of grounds, and repairs.

Nearly all of the wives acra happy with their haua-
ing and cansidercd the rant to be vary reasonable. Some

felt their incomes ware too low, having to spend hfilf of

their monthly income on rent. Both husbands and wives liked
the convenience of living in University housing whcre they
had readily available such facilit3.a s as laundromats, milk-

vending mac hi ..es, bthsitters, and most irpcrtcnt, friend-
ship with o the: fan-11165. Children 0! the foreign students
played with other children in tha a.ren and vmme able t0
learn and improve their English. The rcscarchzr noticed
that many of the young children scoka English without any
trace of an accent.

Living in married student housing provided the for—
eign wdfa with cldse contact with American families. If
interaction within the buildirg was not strcr , or if the
woman was separatcd fzow he: reijhho: by 11?3?333 tarriars,
she might miss tha {rim H1351? cha daaired. Racy wives re-
ported that thcir build1ng hfifl era of high intcm ction, with
neighbors fccc'cdtlv goir; in and out of each 0th x's apart-
ments. Cthers rapcrted that no one in {hair buildmi»; was
particularly frien‘ly with arg*on else and thcre wcs littla
cr no intcr~aycrtmcnt centcct. One wife r111 no L ca who
her neighbors might b?. It seamed to he a mattcr of chance
which type cf building a fcrcign cccgm W1 ht hm av**'*3d.

The and coucle who was living cff campus had at
firct lived in mdrxied student heating at Fictigan Stntd,
but they had mcvcd into a ch-crcr armxt¢9 nt in .Hsiu‘.

The wife was cut off from ha: cld Cdntacts ac1 s 2c.t1 very
lovely. She micccd her fricrdq, the Clcfififlfif to the cam-

3
pus, and thc availability cf babysitters. 1:13 p 'ticular

woman was furthar cut off from other members of has astigm-
ality group by religious differencaa.

East wives raported that.their housing had been
all arrangad and was ready for thaw upon arrival. flama
reportgd difficulties with their housing due to lack cf
communication from Earried Student Huusing Cffice or they
reportad lengthy stays in hotels. when apartments were not
ready. For those fareign student couples who did not nave
immadiately into married student housing, but found off-
campus housing upon arrival, sources such as friends or
nauspapar advertisements were usad.

The major groblum reparted by the wives in married
student housing was th¢t of space limitations. Moat affected
by thia limitition wura families of 4~6 children in two
bedroom apartments and one child families (mainly thoae

with infanta) in one bedroom apartmants.

figdiqglflgaqg

Husbands and those wivea who are attending Vichigan
Stata Univaraity are entitled to the services provided by
Olin Health Center for their medical pxoblems. 011a Haalth
Cantor does not pxovida services for wivea or dependent
children of the students.

acne of the wives reported any difficulty in find-
ing doctors. They asked friends and neighbors far recom~
mandations. The Latin Amexican woman eXpressed concern

about finding a doctor who spoke Spanish, and stated that

they would have liked ta have had a list of doctors when
they first arrived.

Twelve wives hid batits born in the finited Statas.
Nona reported any special ploblems construing childbirth,
excegt fer the high cost of doctor and hospital bills. All
reported that thai: medical expensas would have bmen from
one-half to one—tfimth of the cast in their Own country.
nearly all wives stated that the care they recaived was
identical to that which thay had received or would have

received at homa.

Emma“?afigingthqfiivities

At home, most of the wives had had servants ta do
tho Hark, help care for the children, and prepira the food.
Some had had larga heme: with two or three maids and a gar-
dener. Living in the United States had meant, far the most
part, doing these things thewsalves. How well a wifa hat
adapttd to living in a servantless society has depended
upon three factors: the nature of ht: relationahip to
servants at home, her general attitude toward change, and
tha amount and kind of assistance raceived {tom husband or
others here in tm United States.

The wives in the samgle could‘ba divifiad into thraa
gxoups: (1) Those wives cumin; from cultuzus thctt it is
customary fer mambers of the upyer or middle strata to use
servants. Ehis included Latin Amarica, the Philipyinas,

ad moat CE Axia. (2) Ihcsa wives coming item culturas

37

such as Israel or Jhgan whats ttrvmnts are “fit part of the
way of life, but who had hired help because thty ware engaged
in careers outsida the hams. (3) Those wives aha, for a
variety of reasons, did not have servants at hon .

For wives who had not had sarvants at heme, houaa~
keeping in the Unitmd States posed few problems. They ware
well prepared both technically and psychalogiially to that
far their ayartments and that: families. wives who had
had servants because they were career oritntad, and who
now found thamselves at home, ware awmawhat baxad with bangs-
keeping and found that “doing everything yauratlf is a big
nuisance.“ The wives who had grown uy with the system of
servants wtxa prepared to do tha wcrk themselves, and most
often éid not mind doing it. fine wife, in fact, cansidered
it a great lark. "I'm a housewife," aha said happily. "fly
father told me, 'You'll newt: be able to surviva in tha
Unitad States. Tau vgn't pcssibly managa there with tha5a
little children.' - But I'm managing."

Eany of the wives found that it was easier to da
the wart themselves than to have servants fie it. It takes
time to train a girl to éo things proterly, and sarvants
must be sugarvisnd. Tha wives' rolts at name had baen more
managerial. and in tha United Statns they ware bath workar
and manager.

Central attitudes toward chtfiga accounted for a
part of the wife's success in managing he: haw rcle. Th9

Philippine waman expressad great ada;tability. One said.

38

"This is my philosophy. Tha American unman can do all of
these things without help. If the American woman can do
it, than I can do it. This is tha challenge in my life."
Another Philippine woman stated: "People at homo do not
believe it is possible for us to come bare and live with-
out servants. It is unimaginable to than. They would never
do it." A Chinase wife expectad life to be mare difficult
and was preparad to work very hard. A factor of aelactivity
umSprobably operating, that allows the more flexibla, more
determinad woman to com. to tha United states with her family.
Among tha Asian-fiftican-Middle Eastern sample, most
husbands cffezed assistanca with housewask and care of child~
ten. Host commmnly, thay helpad with the chauffeuring duties
of taking thair wivaa to the supexmaxket o: laandromat.
Many times they tank the laundry in themaelvcs. The division
of labe: was generally fiaxible. Husbands yerfazmed a wide
range of activities when help wa$ headed. Tha dagraa to
which husbands haiped varied according ta the needs of tha
family, but white the wife was wanking or aging to aghool,
or where theie ware infants, or 5m&11 childiun, husbands
pitched in an: vacuumed, washed dishes, pxepagnd formula,
fed and changad babies and performad numerous little tasks.
Duxing intarviews, savaxal bushings tawh ayes functicns,
allowing thfiir wives to continua with the interview without
interruption.
In answer to the question cf how husband and wife

felt about the husband's partiwfipatizn, each comments were

mice as: ”Ch, he likes to do thiuga around the hangs."
"It's bettar this way, daing tL1;;3 t::-thcr la a the Arne:—
ican does, " or " ufi tre Ehiiigpinas a 3&3 ch¢r does woman‘s
Hark, but huabands undarstand that a wife needs ralp, and
we dcn't have sarvants to halp tare, 50 f.ny wrn't let us
do over*t.ing." Afid, from a hushanfi, “It’s a piva.ire to
help.”

The Latin American sample his rapcrtad ta.receive
cansiécrahiy 1953 help {ram husbands. GanLrilly {hair as~
sistanca was in ch*uffeuring the wife to superaazkat and
laundromat.

Hrlp from clan; c?.ildr9n or xe1ative3 living with
tha family was re jurtad in fc;‘~ur ca.3as. One Latin Américan
wife hrau§ht ha; waid with her.

Tha haw: mean“ :23 chitims perrfrurlzimi hsr-x‘a m‘;.z:‘a etszienn
tially similéw to L019 p:‘!‘fu‘”fiufid at Maw. 31:13"; wlvcm raw
ported that they had far lass t9 do here than at homa because
of s& lie: living quartgx: 53d, peiha;5, because of less
time spank in telling others whit in do. The Latin Amarican
woman had mega $9pliancas at name. Ema usa of a;:,' liances
appeiled to mast of the wivgs.

All of tha wcmun exaegt one uaad tha laundgaflits
which am located in I'hnrieed S'Lmfiwmt “weeping. At: harm,
laundry was acne eiL we: by a aervaat or by washing machine.
Most women tau-1d that, though tne clot 5.93 azm cleaner when
scrubbed on a wwoden boagd or rock, they guffar less damage

whan put through tha washings. The liraali woman ugad

43

washing machines at home, and the Philippine ”amen expreasad
the desire to purchase an autemattc waahex and take it home
with tham.

Freparatian of faod was one area in wflish most wives
had to make an adjustnawzt. The Asian and African wives
could nut obtain many tf§€3 of food that they wera accus-
tamed t9. and had to laarn how to prepare the American foods
available to than. The Chinesa reported that thcy mi5sed
their own fDOd very much, mnrn than finy other thing, and
felt that American food is tastelass. The African and Asian
wives had laarnad to make substitutions fmr certain ingredi-
ents. to find those stores unmra foraign impartS are avail-
able, and ta adapt to westaxn tastes.

A second fend difference raported by all wives was
thc lack of fresh fruita and vegatgbles in the United Statgs
during the wintmr, and tha high cost whan they ware availo
able. A11 wera using canned and frozen foods which, though
«5513: to prep.re, did ngt t&$t% thn 53mg.

HGSt wives wwra accu5t¢med to svpgrmagketa, although
fraah v9q$tah1e3 amd fruits and manta might be purchased
in tha markat 91353. wives who had not use: smgermarkets
berets fcuad them easier aad less tins censuming. "Every-
thdng is thcra and you don't waste a lot of time haggling,"
stated can ygung African wifa who 13 attenfiing school.
Nearly all wives regatta: shagging cnce a week far grocerias.

Sevezal of th: wivag LLd had hams eccnmnics training

in college or high schaml, and rpyvrtad tha influence of

41

western cultural patterns in their courses. American recipes,
American women's magazines such as lggigs 3933 Journal. and
American imported focd wara availalle in Latin Amarica, the
Philippines, Nigcria, and lsraal. :f are could afford it,
one could have these more costly items.

All of the wives in the Asian-African-Eidéle Eastern
sample repertcd jcint cuclsion-mcking rcgcrdlug family fi-
nances. Bills “are usually paid by the hurband, who had
the car, or who stopped by to make the rant paymcnt an his
way to classcs. Those with checking acccnntc rwportcd they
were joint accounts. DecisiOuc to purchria itamc were nan-
ally made by husband and wife together. Amcng the Latin
American wives. two-thirds repartcd Joint handling of the

fingnces. Hunbcn¢3 handled tha muncy in the rammining cases.

Chi-1 d 0:1,;- :5; 25-5} ’33

Most of the time spent by tha wives was in the care
cf their children. All but four of the families had one
or more children under school agc, and nine families had
infants under a year.

The central Ciffcrance between raising their child—
ren in tha United States and at home was reported to be
the lack of surrounding relatives. Wives misced the emoo
tlonal support of granfiparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
At home, relatives would have helped watch younger child-
ren, assisted in their care, advised on their upbrincing,

and provld nffectional ties. The general fceling was

42

that it was better for a child to havo other people besides
just his parents to whom to turn.

Hives reported few problems in connection with child
care except fer the problem of newborns. Most wives reparted
that they really didn't know too much about babies befere
their first child was born. None of the wives had attanded
baby ca:e classes, two had read some books on baby care,
and the remainder either turned to friends for advice or
struggled along by thawselvea. At home, they wuuld hav¢
had the aid of altha: their mothers or their husbands'
mothers. Cne African girl stated. "If we were at home,
and if my husband were wozking far the govaznment, his
mothar would come to help me. And even though we are of
the nan genarmtion, and would want some things done differ-
ently, still she wculd be thaxa to help."

Cna wife who reported no prablems was the Israali
girl who had been born and reared in a kihbutz whats child-
ren are separated from their parents at birth and are raisad
communally. Having worked in tho nurseries during her high
school period, she was familiar with newborns and found it
easy to care for her own child born here.

Husbands were found to be deeply involvad in the
cara of their chiléren, from the beginning, when they thared
sleepless nights with their wives, and worried along with
than about how the new baby was dainq. They have learned
to changa diapers and give bottlas. Many wives reported

that their husbands halped care for young children,

43

babyaitting with them while the wives went out or attended
classes. Fathers spent time playing with their children
and teaching them. The Asian and African fathora appeared
to have vary strong affoctional ties with their children.
The Latin American fathers were reported to have less time
to spend with their children than at home.

The Asianthrican~fiiddle Eastern sample reported
no difficulties in finding babysitters, if financos permitted.
But the Latin American.udves could not accept tho Amorican
babysittor arrangement. They did not wish to leave their
children.with a stranger, nor with anyone who did not speak
the child's nativc languago. Several wives reported that
they wore unable to pursue a social or cultural life outside
of their home because thoy could not leave their childron.

Wives reported that caring for their children was
made easier by the use of safe, cheap baby foods, and fresh,
pasturized milk, although some mothers were continuing to
sterilize bottles and prepare formula for their babies of
one to two years of age. Mothers also thought that their
housing providad a safe place for their children to play
outdoors.

Several of the children attended Spartan Nursery
School and the mothers reported that the children loved
tho nursary school. They felt the major benefits to their
childron wort: learning to play co-Operatively with other
children, learning English, gaining wider experianco and
gaining in self-confidence. They felt they had benefittod

44

from nursery school participation, if at all, by learning
techniques for handling young childran and by being able
to observe a co~operativn nursery school which does not

exist Ln their own country.

ngcialflfroblems of Fqgeign Wives
l. Langpdgq

Many of the wives reported difficulties with lan~
guage when they first.arrived. Those who had studied Eng-
lish abroad found upon arrival that they could neither under-
stand. nor speak, although they ware able to read in English.
Even the African wives who had spoken English at home found
it difficult, at first, to understand American speech pat-
terns which are more rapid and slurred. Those wives who
do not speak any English face problems of isolation from
neighbors.

The most.rapid and effective means for learning
English has been through watching television. One wife
reported, "I watched everything on T.V. all day long, till
I was sick of those programs, but I learned Engliah."

Seven wives reported that they had attended the
English language course fer foreign wives which is sponsored
by thd YWCA and Spartan wives. Most reported attanding
once a waak for a term and learning little or nothing.
The wives who had studiad English before coming to the
United States thought the classes were nice for those wha
spoke no English, but too elementary for themaelvea. Those

45

who spoke no English thought the classoa were too slow,
too infrequent, and utilizod poor teaching methods.

2' .55ii?¢“§.

Kort to language, the most common problem for the
foreign wivcs'was financos. Over half of the wives had had
better lcvols of living at homo. Although their income
may havo been lower, their buying power was greater. Eleven
wives reported that tho amount they received was inadequato.
Ono husband,with an income of 5200 a month to carport a
family of four, stated, "Money is our biggest prohlcm.

It's not critical, but it limits our choice. It limits

our doing the things no otherwise would he doing." Eis
wifo reported not having attended a particular cultural
function because she did not have a babysitter. With half
of their incomo paying for rent, and the other half, for
toad, there was nothing left ovor for babysitters. A major
expense for some familios had boon the coat of childbirth
which has ranged from 8600 to $2,000. A foo wives reported
that they would very such like to attend school but could
not afford the tuition fees. Although the majority of wives
interviewed agpocrcd to be fairly content, the few cocoa

of unhaopy wives wore those under financial pressures.

3. Shatpflfiultura Shifts

   

 

For the Chinese students and their wives, the major
adoptation problem was in moving from one culture to another.

The American pattorn of speed, officioncy, activity and

46

hard work were very alien to them. One Chinese wife rosoondod,
“I could never have holioved that I would work so hard, or
that I could work so hard." She further commented, "I thought
tho Amorican does not know how to enjoy life. Ho doorn't
onjoy his work, he doesn't enjoy his food, ho doesn't evon

enjoy his sleep.”

4. Family_Felationshi§s

 

Many of the wives reported that they missed having
their families noar by. They were aware of, and often od-
mircd, the American women's indopondenco and her ability to
move from one port or the country to another. Accustomod
to having relatives around to help in caring for their young
children, auroral wives confidod that they felt tied down,
too close with their children. They aloe felt strongly that
their children were missing the affection they would have
received from grandparents and other relatives. One wife
expressed her feelings, ”He has only us, he doesn't know

that thoro are others who can love him.“

5. Eggg,

Wives attending school or working found that ladt
of time was their greatest problem. They stated that they
could not keep up their housekeeping as woll as they would
liko. One Chinore working mother regretted not being able
to spend as much time with her children as aha did at homo.
Latin American wives reported that their husband: had less

time to Spend with the children tlmn thoy did at homo.

47

at the othar oxtrams were those wives who had too
much time. Tbs wamen who had had careers at home and were
now housewives repoxtad baing bored. One Inraeli wife stated,
"I have no raal problems. It is only that I'm not daing
anything. Arts: two years in the Army, and twm years of
teaching while I attendad school. Just sitting around is
so hard. I feel like nothing.” A Chinasa wife who spoke.
very littlo English, wtdwas therefore unable to participate
in the housewives' "Rotten klatch hunt,” felt her major
problem was what to do with herself all day. She was bored
and lonely with little work ta do. only one little child
to care for, and a husband.busy with academic «ark.

Adafitahilitv

Although the Latin American and the Africanaasian-

 

Middla Eastern samples ware intarviewed by two different
interviewers and, therefare, subject to bias, there does
seem to be a differenca batween the two samples in degree
of adaptability to new culturea. While the Latin American
woman expresied unwillingness to leave her children with

a, stranger, and particularly a. foreigner (American), and
expressed strong disapproval of the Amarican system of baby»
sitters, the woman of the other groups was using neighbors
andpaid babysittara if finances permitted, and even those
with newbarn babies spoke of their intention of using baby.
sittsra while thay attandad school or want out aocially.

The large percantage of Latin Amnricans who spoke no English

48

(20% in the Dian sample.1 25% in the Schutmaat sample) also
indicated a reluctance to make a personal effort to adapt.
Dian reported "half of the wives had not taken advantage
of the classes offered for foreign students' wives at Eicha
igan State University."

that are coma of the factors that might account for
this difference? Two factors which appear to have some row
lationship are ago and education. Tho Latin American sample
as a group was older than tho Middle Eastern or African
group (mean age 29.5 compared to 25.5 and 24 respectively)
and had loss oducation than the Asian group with which it
corresponded in ago. Youth and education could be cxpcctad
to account for greater flexibility and pronnnoss to oéapt

to new situations.

Aoristcico Desirai

Too major sources of assistance to newly arriving
wives from foreign cultures were suggested by tho uiveo
themselves: (1) a formal orientation program, and (23 an
informal club or organization composed of foreign and lmc ~
icon wives, which could provide immediate assistance to
the just~arrivod folily.

gives felt that contact with anothor facilx who
could provide a friendly volcano, help in getting rattled
the first day, and offer information about the supermarkets,

1 3.3.

Bias, 6?. cit., p.

laundrcmatr, and custcmr would be usrful. Such casistanca
is providcd through the African Club, a local Frctcatant
church, and for tha Philippians thrcugh their network at
friends.

A few wives from Chincse and African backgrccnds
wart concerned about avoiflanca cf conflict with Amariccn
neighbcrs. Upon arrival, they ware ecgcr to know what kinds
of behavior might be cffcnsivc to others. 30mm wantcd more
information on haw to use American foods. Ora African wife

wanted more informaticn.on the subtleties of Western drers.

CHAPTA'JR VI

1*? "" 3 “"
Jug: ii." "NY

This study of tha wives of foreign students has
attempted to focus on their adaptation to their role of
wife and mother whila living in a culture differing from
that of their own culture. An attempt has been made to
ideantify those problems coma to foreign wives. or to par--
ticular gmups of. foreign wives. in attempt was also mac
to examine the sources of information of the wives and how
they proceeded to acquire information to help than carry
out their role. A final aim of the study has been to de~
tax-mine what kinds of assistance the wives dasiredin crass:
to better help them in their adjustment.

It was found that the wives cm from a variety
of cultural backgrounds with varying degrees of contact
with American culture. Some of the initial tasks included:
learning the American pattarn of living, learning how to
function in their lmenaking roles with the teammates avail-
able, finciing friands, and in some cases, developing facil-
ity with the lanajuaga.

Some of the major prcalalcms reported me getting
adjusted to the changed pace. of life, operating with more
limitcd funds than they have been tuccustos‘aed to, attempting
to squecm tom-akin; and academic activities into a limited

51

amount of time, adapting to di {grant foods, living as a
single family unit without the support of relatives, finfim
inq babysittars, gaining facility in speaking and undaratané—
inc English, and axgg*iencing loneliness and Laredom.

Thair mast imycrtant sources of infaxmatian had
been of an interpersonal nature: friends, neighhbrs, hus~
bands. In leazning English, their most valuabla tool had
been talevisian.

Tha three factors which had.moat affacted the adapu
tation of the wives were friends, finances, and language
ability. Limitation of finances can limit their partici~
pation in other areas, as well as contribute to feelings
of worry and apprehension. Friends are needed for inter-
personal support, and for providing assistance in gatting
families settled, as well as providing for a pleasant stay
in the United States. Lfick of ability ta cemmunicate resulta
in isolatien which can lo&d to loneliness and depression.

Some differences batwaen wcm$n of diffareat cultures
appeared in the tyges of problems and kinds of adaptatian
they raportad.

The Philirpinas who had a strong natwcrk of friendu
ahipa, active nationality club, familiarity with Western
cultnxe, and no lunguaga problems reported they had no
problems of adjustment.

The Chinese, by contrast, who had had little Was-

tarn contact. strong cultural differences regarding time

52

and activity, food and language differences, and a weak
nationality club with little intravgroup contact, reportod
greater problems of adjustment. Their means of soaking
information were more indopendo .t.

Tho Isr*olis and the African: both had close ties
with mombors of their own group, strong nationality clubs,
and coo.act with Amoricans. Tho lsraolia had languago difu
feroncos, while the Africans had slightly different food
and customs. Members of these two groups did not roport
many problems.

Tho Latin Americans had no nationality club, but
close ties with each othar, language problems, and greater
resistance to change. They reported more difficulties upon
first coming to the United States. They had more problems
than the Philinpinos, Africans or Iaraalis.

Finally, the type of assistance wives most often
wantod or thought to ho most important was contact with
other families, frionds, and information about living in
the United States.

On tho wholo, most of tho wivos mgpoarod rolnxod

and content. They appeared to have adjustod very uoll.

Hood for Further Rosearch

Bocausa this study has revealed differences in tho
adjustment problems of families from difforont cuituro areas,
it would be advantageous to continue a study into tho prob-

lems of some of the other nationality groups not included

S3

in this study. Coittod wore tho families from 13.5.1.3, figg’pt,
Iraq, and scat: od paIts of :6 middlo Boot. it is pos-
siblo idiot tic-«4.323 families may rave special "to”-..wa or dif—
ficulties ia azeos not oncountoiod in tho proaoot study.

A f4: tho): to march mood is toe. s‘udj H.933 vita-cs
who do not how: caildron. 1:21:12. dad in this coto gsxy are
Mid-o 8 tom mig..t Iovo so: ocial adopta tion orchid. 23.22. T. is
category also includes wives who may have zoligims and
cultural diffor loco; in their fooling... about 3:113:31: or

birth CUR‘CJ‘OI o

1.

2.

CflAPTSR VII

RSCQNMSNDATIOES FGR FOREIGN STUDSHIJADVISOR'S OFFICE

An orientation program by the University for new foreign

students which would include their wives would be useful.

The program could include:

a.

d.

a tour of the campus and an explanation of tho bur-
eaucratic workings of a large university

a picture of American 11!: that would offset the
image created by American films abroad

information on canons and city transportation sys-
tems, family health insurance plans,

American patterns of interpersonal relations, and

expectations.

Assistance be given to foreign wives in setting up an

organization that would meet their needs for:

a.

h.

f.

friendship

assistance to newly arriving wives

intorcultorol exchange botooon members of different

cultures

information on Amoricon foods, simplified houookoepu
ing, economy practices in ahopping, proparing food,

intornotionol cooking rotimdo

a babysitting co-0p

information on infant care and current child roaring

practices

3.

4.

5.

55

g. a listing of university and community servicos nvail~
able, doctors, and information about nursery schools

h. clothing, furnishings, appliances exchange whereby
connles leaving could sell their housonold posses-
sions to couples arriving.

The English class for Foreign Wives rponsorod by the

Y‘aicn and Spartan Hivoo could be improve-:1 by:

a. dividing the class into two groups: those who have
studied English and have a knowleégn of the langungn
but who need to gain practice in speaking nnd undon-
standing; and those who do not speak, underrtand,
or read Englirn at all

h. offering more intensive instruction.

Tho Hoot Family program, if it is to ho successful, must

provide the visiting family with honort, frioncly, and

helpful assistance when they first arrive. An invita-
tion to dinner would be more welcome the evening of
arrival than on Christmas or Thanksgiving.

A change in regulations in.Married Student Housing to

allow couples expecting babies to move into two bedroom

npartmonta shortly before birth rather than after, which
is a time of great stress for both parents. It is porn

ticularly difficult to take on the added labors of movu

ing at a time when husbands are pressured with ncaéemic

work, oloepless nights, and when mothers are recuperat—

ing from childbirth, with the added responsibility of

caring for a newborn without much assistance.

6.

56

Before arrival in the United States, couylaa should
be provided with acmxrate information on the cost of
living in the East Lansing area, partimlarly the: coat
of food and medical care. Information shculrd 31-50 be
provided on the restrictions and regulations mvaming

um employment 0: wives.

BIBLIOGRA?HY

Axinn, Nancy. H~~-~bin%_hwtivitiea in S313***d F“~***1
“maria.“ m“ 1.1 1123.33") a. 5 o bnpubflsrxed 1:351:13: ° 5 131%518’
hich.gan Statafibniversity, 1963.

Bells, Ralph. and Norman Humphrey. N9.Front13:fltn Lmarniag,
3&3 Mexicag_$tudfiat_1n the Uniféd $33333. hiafle-
apdila: 'Univaralty of"fiinne3ata fixefis, 1957.

Beebe. George A. A Study cf P333133 St333nts in Gr33t3:_
N w Yark. “Raw Yorkl‘ Greater Kev York Cbuncil for
Forsign Students, July, 1955.

Benson, August C. "Fereign Studanta in United States Highar
Education." Unpublished repart, Office of Foreign
Student Adviser, Michigan State University, 1965.

Diaz, Ana. fin Exp} nrntanAStufiy of tha Adjuaw at P33 3;;
f the Lafin-am a£i_c1n Sindents wives and :3: $8
fi{_3mt mg 113 3 Ag 1§#M~n§. 'Unpub lIbheamIadater1
1.3315, Michigan (hate University, 19.64.

Dora, R. P. Ci Life in Janan. Eerkaley: University
of c3335.... ...

  

 

DuBoia, corn. Farelgn Students and Hiaher Education 1n
th3 UniE :3 ” Washington, D.C.: American
EBuncil on Lducatian, 1956.

 

Hall. Edward T. the 3113nt Lancua a. Garden City, Man
Yark: Doubledayétb.. I§b§1

Lang, Olgt. Chinesaufamégf and Societx. Haw Haven: Yale
Universiiy Frags, a .

Lewis, (incur. Five Families. New York: Basic Books, 1959.
a. New York: Vintage Books.

 

1 Children of 53.r“
" ’ 1963.

Jeffery, Arthur. ”The Family in Islam,“ in gha Family:
Its Function and Dastln . Edited by Rufh Hanfia
Ansuan. New or : iarper Broa., 1959.

   

   
   

Harais, Peter. _§3milx;§nd#§oc131 Chang; in:ga 3331333 City.
London: Narihwastarn‘UniveraitffiFrfiss;*1§62.

57

58

Marquardt. William P., cditox. A359<Eoreignnfitng§fig Speaks.
Seattle, Washington! Univéfiity of"%&baingtun.
February. 1953.

Marsh, Robert 3., and Albart R. O'Hara. ”Attitudes waards
Marriage and the Family in Taiwan,“ Amariaan Journa;
c§L§pcimlegy. 67, 1:1-6, July. 1961. '

Paoiucci, Beatrice. tnd Carol 8. O'Brien. "Resources: The
Tools of Management,” Eggqust. March, 1960.

. ”What 13 Management?" Forecast, September, 1959.

 

Sasnott, Martena, editor. Aggreign Studants Lgoxwgt the
United*3tate3. Los Angwlesz Cale4fibmquist Press,
1963.

Schlegel. Stuart A. "Personal Alliance: in Lowland Philip-
pine Social Structure," Angyrogolacy Ttmarrqw, x,
1350-64, 19540

Seiltiz. C., and others. Attitudfis and Sggial Ralfitififig
offereigp Students igrfhe‘Unitgd”§Efitqs. ifiuuuy.
apOIIE: ‘Univerfiiiy of Einnesota, 1963.

Shah, Khalida. "Attitudes of Pakistani Students Toward
Famii Life," Marti a and ram Livin- 22:156-
161, iay, 1960.

Spiro, Meliard. Kibbutz:
Hass.8 Harvar

Venture in Ute 1a. Cambridge,
vets y 'ress, ’58.

  
      

o ghilézgnwgf the Kibbutz. Cambridge. “3530!
Harvardflfln£?azsiiy Fress,“19$8.

 

Tbrres-Rioseco, Arturo. “The Family in Latin-America,"
in Tha Fam1133‘_;ts Fuhrtien and nesting, Editad
by Rutfi"handaiAnahen. Haw Yasz harper Eros.,
1959.

chel, Ezra r. iguan's New Hiddla Clays. Berkeley: Uni-
versity or ~ 'orn a £zess, I§6 .

Wiengarten, Murray. Life in Kibbqtz. New York: Racon-
structian Frags, I535.

Whiting, Beatrice. Six Cultures: sggdie: of Chi§d Rearing.
Nev'York: Jo ’ ey, - .

APPENDiX A:

Quostiannairo

f'x)

3.
4.

?.

.q
.
.

(JO

wife_

a ..‘1 {‘51.

‘...“.-- ..,.,- ”ti.
f_'_‘l'.,‘._‘- r.-_ ;_

' '.' x- :'- EL.

 

 

Number of

r .. ‘ rt";-
-’.‘!‘._2 O. .5,-

‘.J ~..;.~.\.:u1U..K-ic.rs .~.':> ..'

No.

“:7 mm m:

£30m

 

 

 

main-C

psi—n
v—

Level and Ccuntzy cf

’3 .. .'.,. "
(53.5. G3? 2131-. z r... 54:63.00.

ary

 

(Home)

,‘l‘,’ ul. '4- . . .1 F~§r . 1
_h ku.ge mantifige icom Plaza
nxranu—d A
. .-" .. t -
Sax 4g; Earn a; heme B rn in 8.”.

Wmm WWW

m ”m .m

w

anal-mm“ mam?!”

\

Educgtin

‘1

of wif

of husband

“want-aud- u .-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

msummnfi .....__. —: mm
i; ‘0‘. _ .75. .... g p . z A.
aL~qamua high scafial
warm.” ...- r... We» mm
camnieheg hick schoa.L
‘ ,1 man-Woma- ...-.. ‘ W W
E. .
a-tendgd cemleqefi naiv.
‘ wanna-augm W W
nI
,ach310393 or e"mi* 1 at
m .v W W
’0 fl‘ . ‘0'. fl
G~axmape .wvel
Wm __ ...; mm,
w . J? '3 "'- ‘ 7-1” 3‘ “A ' "J T '1 ‘t '
l‘e ...‘y'L-n wailtlrspxtug Cmfi. 9‘5; ?\38 min saite’.‘ B: : ail-y Cfi‘gf
v-.. -W
'0‘ " .3: ,,'_ \ N r ! «I. V - ~ In . 1 ..
angling ,gfl.flcfi3 alwbaua
‘0’ than: mummmum
by I ' . I 'z M q a ‘ a... ‘ g 1 - -
wi e 3 meLL my FieLf a: 1L3L£€3t(s) husbanfi's rajox ox field of
' I I ‘. ” fl E.
ifineiwsc(5)
- ‘5!“ a» ultmu *- 4-—

 

 

 

 

 

Fw- ”v“ ’- -— ~-- V

f“ ’w

‘1
L‘I .

—-—

- I: h "1 5 ll.r‘fla.
hafiguawe 23m lifiqw of u 32:

A. Whexe Learn.

 

 

 

 

spoke English 22 2222 _3 Wholly P2stly ,.
3222126 English 2.2 hm __‘ M_ How Leng#_
stuéiad Englishi nU. S.__ v flow Leng__

 

 

a. Facility:
Dc yam £221 2222 your und2r322 né ing of Eng] ish and.223112y
to camm2nicate in English is:

vesy gaod_‘ f2i3u_
yau have 2222 éifificult

 

inte 22x rating of 122rua £22 ility:
1. speaks clearly, mdexs22n 23 well
2. 222223 with 5232 dfifiiculty, fair undexsfienfiing
3. 211g ht speaLing 2bility, difificuli mnder retandiug
4. sp22ks no English er only few phrases, needs
interpret2g.
C. Usage:

1. 2222 languag a do you speak to yaur husband? é_
2. 2222 3.2nguage do you speak to your childran?~_ _
3. 5222 12nguage do you speak with close friends?
(own nationals) _‘ (other nationalities)
(Amexican friena ds) #3“
4. no yau regularly $226 or look at any v.3. newspagers
waitten in Englishzm_flm_m. If so, which 0223?“ ¢_

 

E

5. Bo yea: regularly $228 or look at any 0.5. 226 1201225
22 ”32'? n in Englian? if so, which 022523 ;
6. Do you feel that yen unfier322nd 2222222ely TV 2.2 £2210
pregrams? Which progcaws do ycu r2gu§.azly w2 ’ ch
listen to? m* ‘_

$222 .33 in Country of Origin:
A. Eu2222203 Occupafiion M_3 A
2.22I12333 Occupation __
C. Type of Area Lived in Most of Life:

£2221 __”_mmmy1112g2 __ Small Cifiy
«wimiddleosized City Large City

.0

-___

"

v—‘V~fi" ..

rKF-m ‘2' m,_ ..-

2"“ ..

.I . 0 V . '-' 2' r ‘ ‘
-. ‘ ... Ju' ‘. . -. ~ ‘ . .41. .“ n v X” .~ .‘01 ‘..~ - 4_ - ~ .' ‘ r .
. :__ o a1-V,j£1';.j a; h: __ 3‘.“ t: 2.. g :g‘. s-’l-.LZ.".6"¢ '; -1 af-ol’la L: 53.; El".‘u|.~,4 ‘. h -'\J\ "P" 'nr.‘ ‘I I." s" t 5'

fa

823' 3332 $103 and 3199 p2: month

 

3222222 5200 and $299 p22 manth
822 ween £300 and $399 per menth
Between $400 and $499 p2; man22

 

 

 

$530 2: 2222
Do yau feel the 222222 yam receive is 222q2222?

 

13. Sources of 1220322:

 

 

821'” ...Ed 33551133 Gum Cczgutgy
§1§§§r§3@_9§»1@§§%232
govcsament #_: _ ‘_¢ u_
univexsity #_

 

private agency

part 2122 emplcymentpahushand
salary of husb2nd from home

“part time empl¢ymanfi-wife

 

Pergonal 42. r_;§§_

m

 

savings

 

family 2231322222 (from wham)
other

14. Would you 22y 2222 you are better off, as well off, or warae off
financially {3222:} you we at home?

Bettex_ ‘, S222 Worsa

c"...‘incirex‘ $50 a menth from any one source.

Mum“. H mo: 3% Hz ozz n8§§ .

zmo_uomm Hz.ozz OQGZHMK

"unflitllgr . 1- .

MM MOOU

mwcvvwnm

wwawwnmflHOfl

macwanUn

mmuwmm

.M, E

.mnWWHm

wwcuwpm

subdMfiHmm 60mm mmwn
was tHNN comm HH

mcmu>z5.m &ZU\OW oammw.m
.bmmHmflwmfin mwmw

_
.
m

W

he“

:02 mmww>zv via fiwmm

fiwnr bmoca mmmw>zumm I

 

. .....x. .51 .-..«ufimrmzr.

 

I
f
I
4
i
l
7
ll

 

 

 

 

 

$02 56...me H2. RE nomdhflw
2E0 69mm H2 022 nocznnfl

‘l."."-'1" ""r'-"

EH SHE” wonm mme
g is Sam HH

mamm>zu.m >mu\ow oammmMm
>mmnmaszau aura

mos mammpmc pzu zwmm
.mnmu puoaa mamupszm mmHM

 

in
.i‘ pf g.
..... V
f

...—.... _. -.. .

a. a a: .. J
.. 4. . a
pm

£2033“:

m.——.— _-. _—.____—_ --.—...... —-——.—'-

 

mmmng gomgm

 

 

 

was 353.55

 

 

 

 

 

 

mwmng dwowfigm

Til—lil-

 

 

 

 

" “...-“Ski"a—Z

1M Was your housing arranged for you when you cana here?

20 If not, did you have trouble finding housing?

30 Who halpad you find housing? If by self, through what sources?
40 Is your houaing adequate? Is there sufficient space?

50 Does the cost of your housing fit in with your budget?

60 Have you any suggestions that would help Housing Offico or Foreign Student Officu
be more helpful to you or to future newly arriving married students?

magnum mat:

 

19 Do you have health insurance to cover yourself, your children; your husband?

2° Did you have trouble finding a doctor for yourself, or your children?

3° Did you have trouble finding a dentist?

40 Did you have trouble finding madical care for pregnancy and childbirth?

50 Did you have any special problems concerning pregnancy and childbirth?

IIIo TRANSPORTATION:
lo Do you drive a car? Do you have a car to drive?
20 Is public transportation available to you?
30 Do you rely on your husband for transportation?

40 Do you rely on friends for transportation?

'5» 2’. ho Hm ~ r‘
bfilii “. L 4.. A J. ..'.'. ‘ 5L";

 

lo Have you been able to find baby-sitters for your childCren)?

20 What are some of the accessions for which you need babysitters?

30 If there were provisions made for care of pro-school age children of several wives
who were attending a Specific function, would you take advantage of it?

Would you be able to pay a small fee for such service, or would this be impossible?
Would you be willing to serve as one of the baby-sitters in such a situation?
v) RELIGION:
10 Have you been able to find a place where you may observe your own religion?

20 Have you any suggestions concerning religious activity for the Foreign Student Off1Cr
United Campus‘Ministryg or individual churches or organizations?

guys“? or CQIgngT’NTTY MD LZ‘F“°1TY arggggczjg:
Afimggglish Language Classes for‘Wives
10 Do you attend the English classes for wives? If not, would you wish to?
_§p Host Easily Brogrmg

.3...

10 Do you have a host family?

20 How soon after your arrival were you contacted by your host family?

30 How often do you see your host family?

4° What types of things do you do together?

50 Do you ask your host family for assistance with any kinds of problems?
How helpful are they?

60 Have you any complaints about your host family?

7: Do your children enjoy contacts with the host family?

QMBBWN

 

 

1: Have Yflu ”Sod iht loan Program. C0813 Othf Civihaua

..J:A' ;. ......- _-...'

AV‘. .3... s—A“ '

51.1}: u had H lob (ha: "a“ Ftp-dd 1 no

 

 

 

PROBLEHiAREAS

Du Nursery School__
10 Do you have a child attending Spartan Nursery School?

20 Does you child enjoy the nursery school program?

30 Do you feel that your child has benefited from the nursery school experience?

4, Do you feel thrt you have benefited' from your contact with the nursery school staff?

En Campus Qrganizations
10 Are you a member of any campus organizations?

Which ones?

\

20 How often do you attend.meetings, or special programs, or parties of these groups?

30'Would you be interested in a‘Wives“ Club?

4° Should American student wives be included also?

50 What type of a program should this club have?
Recreation
Assistance to newly arriving wives
Lectures or classes

Other

60 Would you be interested in helping to organize such a club?

70 Would you have difficulty arranging baby~sitting or transportation to attend meetings?

Openwfinded Questions

ggggzas cs2? mmmmmb:

1. How do you go about finding out how to do things?

Where to buy things?
Who do you ask? Where do you look for information?

2. How much informatton.and knowledge did you have about life in the United States buéurc
you came here? Where did your information come from? From friends who had lived in

the waited States? From government or other agency orientation programs?
From books or magazines? Other sources?

3. How'much help have you received in learning about life in the United States since you
have arrived? From.whom?

4: What are some of your biggest problems in taking care of your famiry in the Uniitd St? «z?

50 What kinds of assistance could be given to you to help you adjust to life in the Unitrd
States? To help you care for your family? What would have been most helpful to you
when you first arrived? What help do you think other wives would like to have?

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

W
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN

M.A. 1965
Lieberman, Leslie

Wives of Foreign Students:
Their Problems in Home Management

 

 

MOC

ll NI Ill/II M III/ III Will I// Ill/Ill W III/ll III II!!! NW 1’ II

 

1293 02736 0258