Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-07
By
Ellen Nathalie
Mattheu,s,
Director of Industrial Division, Chill
dren's Bureau.
AS TOLD TO NELL RAY CLARKE.

EsPITE the increasing strictness Of
IA many States in the matter OF
compulsory school attendance, an
appallingly large number Of chill
dren leave school to go to work. An
Investigation of thousands Of cases was made
by the Childrens Bureau OF the Department Ol
Labor in order to ascertain the primary causes
behind this loss Of interest in school by chill
dren Of tender years.
gated
Tony's father was dead. His mother and
larger brothers and sisters needed his help. He
had hoped to finish grammar school. put tine
l5-year-old lad went to work IN radio rae
tory.
bohemia. She had finished the seventh grade
and was staying at home. She had as mucn or
more education than her parents, and all OF
them, including Olga herself, thought TINS
enough for her. So she was staying nome
doing nothing until the time she might marry
Izzy Is years old, was born tn the United
states of Russian parents. He went to work as
an errand boy in . jobbing house after one
term in high school He didn't like school, so
he said.
Patrick, a second generation Irish-American,
had spent four years in an orphans home fol-
lowing the death of his mother. He had had
difficulty keeping up in his classes. AT 10 ms
father put him to work, his wages Of $l2
week going to support three younger brothers
and sisters still in the charity home.
Mary, q thin girl of 16. Of old American stock.
had done well In school, but she had to go TO
work to help supplement her mothers meager
wages. Her father was an invalid. Mary
wanted to be secretary. and was studying at
night
Emil, born in Austria IA years ago. was q
helper on a delivery wagon He had completed
grammar school and went TO work because his
In OF
school In the Fall.
Rebecca left school at the end of her first
term in the eighth grade because her parents
couldn't give her all the clothes she wanted.
She secured a job through q girl friend as
general helper in a women's neckwear factory.
late, circumstances family background anc
inherent lack of ability combine to make
children leave school prematurely. Almost over
n ght they are changed from youngsters into
men and women assuming the responsibilities
of life before they are fitted for them.
Economic necessity does not play as great
part in causing children to leave school as 1t
might seem to from learning the reasons they
themselves advanced. When questioned about
it they gave this as an excuse or a reason, but
close study of individual cases revealed that
there more important contributing fac
tors. When child Is eager to learn and is
bright in school, often way can be found
to give him a chance at an education.
In some communities scholarship funds have
been provided to keep in school children who
would otherwise be obliged to go to work.
Dissatisfaction with school is another out
standing reason given by children for leaving
school and going to work. and perhaps is more
important than economic necessity I'm just
tired OF school," some of them explain. Teach
ers didn't understand me-" They hunked
me-" II didn't want to go to high school,"
Didn't want to CO." Mother needed me at
home" others say.
Behind these excuses is their unsatisfactory
adjustment to school life. The children them
selves are discontented because they cannot be
promoted, because they cannot conform to