Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/696

 680 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

teaching of morality which is needed, but a morality whose practical bearing upon every phase of life can be seen — one which shall quicken the moral sense in self-interest.

From the number of children in the criminal's family, com- bined with such knowledge of the financial condition as was obtainable, I attempted to gather some light upon the opportu- nities as a child. Out of 2i women, i8 had brothers and sisters, the number varying from i 5 downward, the average being 5.5 for each. The occupation of the parents and wage rate furnish the financial data. I found several instances in which the crimi- nal had deserted home when young. Among the common reasons were: "too much church," "too strict," self-willed," " desire for excitement," "to earn money," " ran away to marry." I also obtained data as to whether parents were living or dead, but as the age of the criminal when the parents died was so untrustworthy, I consider this valueless. It is, however, sug- gestive for other workers.

The number of children, together with the occupation of the parents, which was usually one of the trades or unskilled labor, and the early age at which many of them sought work, show that the opportunities for self-advancement must have been less than where good educations obtain.

The industriousness of these women furnishes another inter- esting condition. Out of 1 1 5 recorded, 60 admitted they were idle when the crime was committed. Matrons state that almost two- thirds of the women are idle when arrested, and but few have trades. The cause is not always discernible. It may be due to inertia, to inability to secure work, to lack of interest in the only labor for which they are fitted, to a love of indolence and social life. Whatever the cause, it is a predisposing factor, giving the opportunity for crime which a busy life would not permit. Within the prisons the women show little disposition to work, but this must be true where labor possesses nothing to which the interest of the individual can respond — not even remuneration. Love of variety and excitement becomes a chronic desire, especially with the workhouse type, and this, with their habits, renders them incapable of sustained labor.