From studies on the Polish family

The problem of the Polish family outside Poland has been present in literature for a long time. It is scattered in scholarly publications, journalism as well as in memoirs. It finds reflection both in Polish and foreign language – especially English – publications. It has often been treated as a thing of minor importance that only accompanied other research.Attention was for the first time drawn to the Polish emigrant family at the international symposium organised by the Institute for Research on Polish Emigrants and Emigrants Pastorate affiliated to the Catholic University of Lublin in 1987. Proceedings of this conference were published in Volume XII of the “Studia Polonijne”. The next, 13th volume of “Studia Polonijne” contains proceedings of the next symposium organised by the above mentioned Institute in 1988. The symposium was devoted to the Polish emigrant youth. The author names a lot of other publications dealing – even marginally – with problems of the Polish family abroad. Literature discussing the subject has not yet achieved full independence. It simply has to react to what historians generally react to, i. e. to the live tissue of particular communities. It also has to look for inspiration in new trends and in new concerns that appear. Only then can it become helpful in recognising various phenomena, create a chance to prevent them and be an inspiration for others