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Problem Families
In November 1954 the Ministry of Health issued Circular 27/54 to
local health authorities on the subject of problem families and thought
was given to the question of dealing with such families known to exist
in Hornsey and Tottenham. In February 1955, the following report
was considered by the Area Committee who recommended to the County
Health Committee that steps be taken for the implementation of a
scheme in this Area on the lines suggested.
The following extract from a booklet issued by Family Service Units
describes very clearly the subject of this report:—
"Problem family conditions are characterised by dirt, disintegration
and disorder. They are often shiftless, lazy and irresponsible to
an almost incredible degree. Financial mis-management is rife. The
husband often retains a disproportionate share of income; an excessive
amount may be spent on drink, cigarettes or the cinema or wasted
on children's pocket-money. As a result of this mis-spending they are
constantly in debt and in arrears with their payment for rent, clothing
clubs, gas, electricity and insurances.
"They sleep too many to a room and many to a bed; meals are
irregular and badly prepared; their homes are often devoid of cooking
facilities or utensils; seldom are there enough chairs, crockery or cutlery
for the whole family. The staple diet of tea, bread, margarine, jam,
cheap cake and chips is taken standing up. Neither the parents nor
the children have any underclothing, night clothing or change of
clothing and such as they have is rarely washed or mended."
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