A study of the effects of the war separation from the father on the problem child

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston UniversityThis study will proceed on the assumption that there is a general recognition that the children who were separated from their fathers during World war II suffered more from the effects of the war than those children whose fathers remained at home. The fathers who were in the service brought about a disruption in family life which was abnormal and damaging to the wholesome growth of the children so that they did not have the best possible opportunities for their emotional development. The purpose of this study is to examine a group of cases in treatment at the Worcester Youth Guidance Center in which there was separation from the father involved to see what relationship the absence of the father has to the underlying problem. The group consists of thirty-five children who have been treated some time between January 1, 1949, am December 31, 1951. It is possible that many of these cases are still in treatment. The effect of the absence of the father on the mother and on the environment would also have some bearing on the problem of the child, so these factors will also be considered