The Puerto Rican Truant: A Study of the Relationship of Parental Attitudes to the Problem of Truancy as Seen in Eight Closed Cases, Family Service, Catholic Charities, Bronx Office, New York: 1951 - 1954
Abstract
During the time the writer worked for Catholic Charities, Bronx Office, and also during placement as a student of Social Work at the New York City Youth Board, it was noticed that among the other pro- blems, in the social situation of the Puerto Rican families referred to the mentioned agencies, was that of truancy. It was observed that both the parents and the children were almost indifferent and therefore unresponsive to the school claims for attendance. In many cases, there were efforts on the parents' part to make the child attend school, but the attempts were ineffective due to the vagueness and in- consistency of the way these were made. In several instances the parents would not extend their efforts beyond the mere suggestion of a punishment. However, the situation became worse when the school threatened to involve the court. The psychological effects on the family, were in many instances, apparent to the worker. Oftentimes, the parents would assume an apathetic attitude even to the implication of a court proceeding, and as a reaction formation, would become more tolerant of the child's absence and woula blame the school, personalized in the teacher's figure, for the child's non-attendance.
Subject Area
Multicultural Education|Psychology|Sociology|Social work
Recommended Citation
Roman, Angel Manuel, "The Puerto Rican Truant: A Study of the Relationship of Parental Attitudes to the Problem of Truancy as Seen in Eight Closed Cases, Family Service, Catholic Charities, Bronx Office, New York: 1951 - 1954" (1956). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI31050561.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI31050561
