3.+Social+Adjustments+and+the+development+of+new+wartime+families

Scott Higginson 10/21/08

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Dear Diary, Its Mike and today, May 14, 1940, is my birthday! I am 10 years old now. I am just a bit upset because my dad is off fighting in the war and my mom works so much. I never see either of them. Even right now, I am at my Aunt Jude’s house, but I am used to being left with my relatives and neighbors because of how much work my mom has to do (Danzer et al. 592). Since my dad is at war she has to make all of our money so we can eat and be able to afford rent. But I don’t think it’s so bad, since my Uncle is too old to be drafted, he is like my dad. Today is the day my dad gets back from war! I cannot wait to see him, it has been so many years since I have seen him. Here he comes, off of the boat with all of the other soldiers! My dad has been home for about 2 days now, and we haven’t talked too much. It’s like he is a stranger that just walks by unnoticed, but I always try to talk to him (Berardinelli 1). I mean after all of these years, he could at least have a catch with me or something, anything would be good! Every night, he drinks himself to sleep, and I can hear him yelling all the way from my bedroom. I think the war makes him angry a lot. My mom doesn’t like it, but he doesn’t like her making the household income. Mom finds it as a way of showing her independence (Berardinelli 1). I heard my mom and my dad arguing yesterday, they were saying something about my Mom’s income being very low and that she thinks the war significantly affected their relationship (Frahm 1). I hope mom and dad stay together because if they separated, life would be so hard for me, and for it would be really hard for them too. Until I write again, Mike

Works Cited Danzer, Gerald A., et al. __The Americans__. Illinois: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005. Berardinelli, James. “The Best Years of Our Lives.” __A Film Review by James Berardinelli__. 1999. 21 October 2008 . Frahm, Jill. “marriage and family life, 1929-1945.” __Encyclopedia of American History: The Great Depression and World War II, 1929-1945, vol. 8__. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2003. __American History Online__, Facts On File, Inc. Hunterdon Central Regional High School. 21 October 2008.