WAR AND THE FAMILY

Although war can impose powerful stresses on family relationships and functions, and its horrors have been described since Euripides wrote T he Trojan Women, the subject has received little scientific study. The American Civil War had significant effects on the family and increasi ng industrialization further disrupted family ties and transformed wom en's roles. Twentieth-century wars have had both immediate and delayed effects on the family, ranging from anxiety and grief about losses an d separations to increased antisocial behavior and juvenile delinquenc y. Subsequent problems stem from readjustments to civilian life, high divorce rates and women assuming more powerful roles in the family and society. Analysis of a random sample of child guidance clinic records 1923-1983 revealed an increase in children's academic problems and ag gressive behaviors during and after World War II. Increases in anxiety and obsessive and aggressive behaviors were evident following the Vie tnam conflict along with the adverse effects of post traumatic stress disorder on family life. Although US participation in the Gulf War was limited, disruptive effects were seen in the children of affected mil itary families, and for Iraqi children the consequences were devastati ng. War generally accelerates dormant changes in family life not yet f ully apparent or appreciated.