There
are a great many disruptions of homes . . . which are causing
serious harm to the physical and mental health of children.
I refer to those families in which fathers are away and the
mothers are working in war factories. The children of all ages
are left home without adequate supervision or general care.
Mothers go home after 8 hours of work, 6 days a week, and often
do the family washing and heavy housework. They are tired, and
often cannot help being irritable toward their children….
Small
children have no conception of war. To them Hitler is analogous
to the "bogeyman" and other supernatural symbols.
Their mental health depends upon the security they feel in their
parents and home.When father is out of the home for long hours
because of work or being away from home, their security depends
upon mother's ability to take charge and make them feel that
everything is all right. Those mothers whom I have observed
are doing a remarkably fine job of managing their families without
the aid of their husbands ....
Children
of school age . . . are old enough to have a concrete conception
of war. They think more about bombings and what may happen to
them. Possible loss of home, less food and clothing, are of
real concern to them. They are afraid that father who is in
the army may be killed.
During
the ages of 9 to 13 years there are fewer serious anxieties,
according to the experience of the British, than in younger
or older children. During this period youngsters like to dramatize
events in life and thereby act out their feelings. In this way,
a part of their tension is relieved. Although they are scared,
the idea of war appeals to them.
