WHEN POVERTY IS FOUND IN NORMAL FAMILIES IN WHICH
the members are free from hereditary taint or handicap
of body or mind, the causes must be sought in the en-
vironment. If one visits the homes of the poor one is at
once impressed with the large number of cases in which
conditions of family, home or neighborhood life weigh
heavily upon the individual. Though to the fortunate
the family and the home are a refuge and source of com-
fort and inspiration, they are, to many of the poor, in-
fluences which cause or complicate poverty. For these,
the home and family life have become not assets but
liabilities. This is true not only of most dependent chil-
dren but of large numbers of adults as well. A few of
the manifold aspects of this problem will be examined.

Childhood dependency develops usually out of condi-
tions of family life. It may be due to orphanhood, par-
ental neglect or incompetence, or to low income. All
children normally are dependent upon their parents or
immediate relatives for support. If such support is with-
drawn or becomes too meager the children, and perhaps
also the family, must be cared for by public relief or
private philanthropy. Cruelty and miseducation by par-
ents, and delinquency on the part of either parent or
child, also justify public interference, which is likely
to mean public support as well for the child.

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