Date of Award:

5-1937

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Sociology and Anthropology

Department name when degree awarded

Sociology

Committee Chair(s)

Joseph A. Geddes

Committee

Joseph A. Geddes

Abstract

Especially during the last century the health of school children has been a problem of deep concern. Many physical examinations have been given by numerous organizations with the intention of discovering organic disorders that might be detrimental to a child's normal social life. As a result of such study, humanity has generally come to recognize the social and economic costs of ill-health and has embarked on remedial and preventive campaigns to improve the well-being of children. Foundations have been endowed. Free clinics have been established to serve those families whose incomes prohibit them from securing medical services otherwise; county, city and school nurses and doctors have been employed in districts throughout the country to render treatment and give advice. Health educational campaigns have been conducted and organized health units and agencies have been instituted. Of late, socialized medicine has gained in popularity as a means of enabling certain unfortunate persons to benefit from expert services. All these efforts which have been directed mainly in the interests of school children have brought to light many interesting facts relevant to physical conditions that threaten good health.

Few doubt the value of knowing what evil effects diseased tonsils or teeth, diseased heart, curvature of the spine, defective feet, or other physical disorders may have upon the health of the child. Nor do most people question the importance of having these physical handicaps removed or corrected so that one may come nearer functioning to his normal capacity. It is generally recognized today that not only the welfare of the individual but the future of civilization depends greatly upon the health of its citizens.

To improve and add weight to the study of child welfare it is necessary to become acquainted with underlying "health" factors that inhibit normal social adjustment. This necessitates an objective study and understanding of the social and economic backgrounds that condition a child's physical, mental and social life. It is with this purpose in mind that this study was undertaken.

While it is probably true that individual, disjunctive endeavors can accomplish much toward alleviating social and economic conditions inimical to "good health", real effectiveness will ensue only as a result of unified action. In this respect it is hoped that this study and others that may follow will arouse public interest to the extent that intelligent, concerted action will be applied to detrimental environmental influences affecting "healthy" living.

Biological inheritance undoubtedly has a profound influence upon physical well-being, but in the discussion to follow only environmental factors, as they seem related to health, will be treated. It is not anticipated that the reader will interpret the subsequent relationships found between children's health status and certain social and economic conditions as being precise causes of poor health. Such definite conclusions are unwarranted when it is realized that other factors may also contribute to the same condition. After giving due weight to the influence of other factors there can be little doubt that the relationship between ill health and unfavorable economic and social conditions, found to exist in the course of this study, is causal in nature.

Checksum

fadb3cd026b2b6da258f4b3eeafa3b3b

Download

Included in

Social Work Commons

Share

COinS

Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at .