The Alcoholic's Wife: A Survey of Twenty-Seven Alcoholics, Married Ten Years or More, With Emphasis on Five Wives of Alcoholics, New York University Alcoholism Clinic, 1958
Abstract
Background of the Study: Through two years’ experience with the wives of alcoholics, while working in a family service agency, the writer noted that there were certain similarities in these women. With this background the writer began her second year placement at King’s County Hospital and found that the State University Alcohol Clinic, which is located at King’s County Hospital, was also interested with these similarities found in the wives of their clients. Social work has long been interested in the problems that the alcoholic causes for his family. In the past the approach has been punitive toward the excessive drinker. The alcoholic causes such dramatic problems for his family that pity is evoked for the wife who must put up with the indignities of financial deprivation, physical abuse, and desertion. The popular conception of her is the longsuffering martyr who works and slaves to keep her family together. There is much that is true in this picture, but in order to help this woman, and ultimately help the whole family, her motives and needs must be better understood.
Subject Area
Public policy|Individual & family studies|Criminology|Social work
Recommended Citation
Keeney, Catherine Kelly, "The Alcoholic's Wife: A Survey of Twenty-Seven Alcoholics, Married Ten Years or More, With Emphasis on Five Wives of Alcoholics, New York University Alcoholism Clinic, 1958" (1958). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI30557647.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI30557647
