Evening star., 1939-04-02


Factors which make for happ
university women who do their own
housework are few other findings
which resulted from the study en-
titled THE American Family In a
Changing Society"
Findings reported to date are from
B2 communities-city, suburban and
small town-in % States from all
sections of the country. From 100
to 800 families co-operated in an
swering the questionnaires.
AS the study was planned to pro-
vide a picture Of family life of COL
lege- educated women, most of the
material came from families of
members of the association.
In the Washington branch the
group studying family relationships
under Mrs. Henry F. Butler, group
leader, has followed the study out
lime suggested by the national as
sociation. In addition, this group,
under the chapter on education, ini-
tiated as a special project a study
of what a class Of children, averag-
Ing l3 years of age, in junior high
school. thought of the school sys-
tenn. The stimulation Of such local
projects is one of the purposes of
the study, Mrs. Houdlette explained.
Ma jority Works at Many
Household Tasks.
Though bread canning
nd other traditional household ac-
vities have to considerable ex-
ent left the home, 70 per cent Of
he women surveyed reported they
i'd their laundry, 10 per cent canned
heir own fruit and vegetables for
winter use, and IS per cent made
Jelly. More than half the women
made their own clothes and A per
cent did the sewing for their chill
dren. One-third did their own
housework or hired only occasional
outside help.
OF factors contributing to a happy
married life, both the A. A. U. w.
members and their husbands ranked
similar social interests of first i'm
portance. Cooperation, good dis
position, sympathy toward the
others problems and unself1shness
were other factors held important.
Sharing of responsibility, common
intellectual interests and education
also were rated high, while religion
ranked sixth IN Importance to the
wives, seventh to the husbands.
both put in-laWs ninth in the list
and childhood environment tenth.
In 90 per cent of the families
husband and wife handled the
money comparatively; 80 per cent
took joint responsibility for the
management of children and so per
cent co-operated in household man
hgement.
Sixty per cent of the husbands
helped with household activities in
81 groups. Some of the tasks men,
Toned by various groups included
care of the children, help with the
dishes, cooking and help with
)aundry.
Husbands we're largely Of the pro-
fessional class, the QUESTIONABLE
revealed. AS for the size Of the
families, in only per cent were
there more than three children and
h6 per cent were childless.
At least one-fourth of the fam
lilies studied had incomes of less
than $4,000; ST per cent, $4,000 or
less. Typical homes were detached
single houses of two or three floors,
and 81 per cent Of the families
owned automobiles, II per cent
more than one.
Suggestion for improvement
AOf Schools Uncovered.
, In the local study, made on the
reaction of Junior high school stu
dents to the school system, Of
the % youngsters questioned found
the system satisfactory; 7 COM
planned of homework, expressing
the wish there were none or less
than is required now. and S wished
the teachers would explain subjects
slower"
Five objected to the averaging
system" under which students are
graded according to their I. @.
A number of rugged individualists
were found through this survey, one
youngster expressing preference
for young teachers mot dead from
the ground up" Another suggested
zach student have private tutor
DO he could advance more rapidly
In subjects in which he happened
10 be particularly interested.
One student suggested more Ian
Huage courses; two, more music in
the music course; one, that the art
course teach about clothes. color
and design; two. smaller classes,
Ind two, more individual attention
While studying the topic dealing
with qualities on the part of parents
lnost essential to successful parent
child relationship, the group re-
eeived 7-point statement from a
h3-year-old boy, who wrote on
'What 1 Would Like in Parent. "
His points were outlined as fol-
lows:
81. To be interested in my school
work
20. Let me have a bit of spending
money each week.
"3. OF course, I wouldn't want
Them to drink" (His mother ex-
plained that the boy probably meant
"get drunk" as she said cocktails
were served In her home without
his evident disapproval)
q. Always be to certain extent
kind and generous.
IS. Not to spoil me.
"e. Let me pick my own schoo,
bourses but to give experienced ad-
Vice.
II. To buy me necessary sport
equipment when I really want It,"