AbstractsSocial Work

A Study of clothing budgets on a minimum adequate standard for a family agency in Montreal, 1947-1948.

by Esther. Spector




Institution: McGill University
Department: School of Social Work.
Degree: Master of Social Work.
Year: 1949
Keywords: Social Work.
Record ID: 1567708
Full text PDF: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/thesisfile124438.pdf


Abstract

This study of clothing on a minimum adequate standard was prompted by the writer’s observations during seven years’ experience as a social service worker with the Jewish Family Welfare Department in Montreal, During that period it became more and more apparent that the agency’s system of providing clothing to its clients was a weak link in its chain of services. Families in the above agency have consistently complained for several years of the system of clothing distribution. Many felt it degrading to be deprived of an opportunity to make a choice. Others were of the opinion that given the same amount of money spent by the agency they could have shopped to their own individual taste and made better investments. In other words, it was evident that families had not accepted the clothing room favourably. Clients and workers together were aware that clothing received through the agency was poor in quality and insufficient in quantity. The social case worker was also conscious of the clients’ emotional conflict which evolved from the necessity of clients visiting the agency’s clothing room to collect the needed items. Many clients were fearful of meeting friends or neighbours from whom they wished to conceal their association with the agency. There were always conflicting pressures in making decisions on clothing: the pressure of more important needs and wants, and the pressure of limitation of resources available by the agency for clothing.[...]