The  problem  of  the  deserted  wife  has
always  been  recognized  as  far  more  difficult
than  that  of  the  widow.  The  man,  while
absent  for  purposes  of  support  and  coimsel,
is  present  as  a  demoralizing  and  disturbing
influence.  Miss  Colcord  discusses  in  an
illuminating  way,  under  two  headings,  the
causes  leading  men  to  desert  their  families:
(1)  Contributory  Factors  in  the  Man  and
Woman,  such  as  Mental  Deficiency,  Faults
in  Early  Training,  Differences  in  Back-
ground, Wrong  Basis  of  Marriage,  Lack  of
Education,  Occupational  Faults,  ''Wander-
lust," Money  Troubles,  111  Health,  Incom-
patibility, and  Vidous  Habits;  and  (2)  Com-
munity Factors,  such  as  Interference  of
Relatives,  Radal  Attitude  toward  Marriage,
Community  Standards,  Lack  of  Proper
Recreation,  Influence  of  Companions,  and
Expectation  of  Charitable  Relief.  There  b
an  interesting  survey  of  the  changed  attitude
of  social  workers  toward  the  problem  and
toward  the  widespread  agreement  now  pre-


vailing among  them  that  this  type  of  family
presents  one  of  the  most  valuable  opportuni-
ties for  thorough  case  work  and  for  treat-
ment based  upon  full  understanding  partic-
ulariy  of  the  man's  history  and  of  the
possibilities  not  only  of  his  reassuming  but
of  his  continuing  to  perform  his  duties  to
the  family  group.
Miss  Colcord  points  out  that  the  greater
flexibility  of  treatment  now  possible  to
social  caseworkers  is  in  large  part  due  to
the  presence  on  the  statute  books  of  many
states  of  so-called  "non-support  and  aban-
donment" laws  secured  largely  through  the
efforts  of  such  workers,  and  resulting  from
their  attempts  to  deal  with  families  of  this
kind.
This  discussion  is  intended  for  the  special
use  of  the  social  caseworker  and  is  tha«fore
devoted  largely  to  the  discussion  of  the
technique  of  investigation  and  of  treatment.
