The Panther. (Atlanta, Georgia) 19??-1989, May 01, 1950, Image 18

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18 THE PANTHER unrelated things. For instance, a stu dent wished for money, marriage, and education, and in another wished he would desire a home and the welfare of others. Consequently the things wished for had to he picked out singu larly. increasing the number of wishes for some students by as many as eight. Table 1 The percentage of students in each group (better, middle, poor) whose wishes fell into six categories: riches & luxury, education, welfare of others, marriage and family, travel and mis cellaneous. Riches and Luxury Better Middle Poor % % % Home 35 68 76 Car - . 2 2 20 Money 2 2 20 Education 40 86 40 Welfare of others 28 27 44 Marriage & family 33 82 36 Travel I 23 1 Miscellaneous 30 25 36 DISCUSSION The findings show that a large percentage (76) of the stated wishes of the group judged as “poor” are to own a home. It is likely that the “poor” and the “middle” groups, in large measure, are renters and the possibility of being put out is a real threat. In proportion to their income and the accommodations afforded the rents are high. Paying high rents and being forced to live in slum areas may account for this high per centage. The “better” for a goodly part own their homes and those who rent live in areas with a pleasant environment and it is more likely that the family income is sufficient to meet the payments of the house. A wish for a car was not expressed so often by the “better” (2'/ ) and the “middle” (2%) group as com pared to the “poor” group (20'/ ). Whenever the kind of car was men tioned it was always a Cadillac. A car seems to be a symbol of prestige. The “better” and “middle” groups probably manage to get an auto mobile. but the “poor” can only wish because their incomes are insufficient to afford mie. The findings show that a value is placed on education as compared to wishes for cash money, with the for mer being favored. Studies show that the highly-educated or the intelli gentsia make up the highest class in the city of Atlanta. Judging from the various papers used in this study it is believed that if one is very well educated he is in position to demand just about what he thinks is a “good living.” Tin' “middle” group for the most part has been somewhat out of “touch” with the intelligentsia. Davis’s analysis of class behavior shows that there is a tendency for a large per centage of the “poor” group to pos sess an anti-attitude toward anyone who represents authority or who ap pears somewhat educated. From the “better” group it is almost understood that they are supposed to finish high school and college. They feel as if it is expected of them. Many in the various groups would like to he suc cessful but few desire fame. In wish ing for the welfare of others the “poor” group has the largest per centage. For the most part the “poor ’ wish to he able to take care of their parents. They wish also for job oppor tunities and the elimination of racial prejudices. All groups wished for world peace. When it came to marriage and the family, the “middle” group domi nated. Eighty-two per cent of the “middle” group showed a strong de sire for marriage and a family. This study shows that the “poor” group is not as desirous of marriage and a family, that is. it did not show up in the stated wishes of the subject. It may he that the overwhelming ten dency of the “poor” group to wish for a home implies a wish for mar riage and a family. When it came to travel the “middle” group is in close association with the “better” group and perhaps has traveled vicariously with the “better” group who is in more favorable position to travel or know those who have traveled. Fail ure of the “poor" group to reflect in their wishes a desire to travel may result from the potency or urgency of more immediate self needs. Below are stated wishes representative of each group (better, middle, and poor). Paper Marked “Better” I Female Age 1 7 ) “If I had only three wishes I would wish first of all for a higher edu cation. so that 1 would he able to get a good job, and not work in the white folks' kitchen. Next, I would wish for an opportunity to open my own kin dergarten nursery school. And my third wish, 1 would some day like to get married and have a home and car of my own. To rear children. With a good education I should be able to teach and help train other children as well as my own some of the things that it takes to he a suc cessful person.” Paper Marked “Middle” (Male. Age 15) “I would wish first for a good education so that I could get a good job and the second thing 1 would wish for would he a house and car and some clothing and the third thing I would wish for would he a great football player and they are three things that I wish for if I had only three wishes. Paper Marked “Middle” ( Female. Age 14 ) “Ah. the thought of wishes brings to my memory many things, hut most of all. a quick original poem: “If I had only wishes, three, to he given promptly to me, An education would be my first: A happy career, or I’ll burst. My second wish, if would be granted, A beautiful home, and kids in panties; My last wish, in God, would he: A better world for you and me.”