CHARACTERISTICS OF FARM WORKERS AS RELATED TO STABILIZATION OF THE WORK FORCE.

PROBLEMS OF THE MIGRANTS INCLUDE THEIR LACK OF DESIRE TO LEARN NEW SKILLS AND TO ADJUST TO NEW SITUATIONS, THEIR NEED TO MIGRATE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT DURING CERTAIN OFF-SEASONS, THEIR LACK OF TRAINING FOR MANY KINDS OF JOBS, THEIR PREJUDICED ATTITUDE TOWARD JOBS MAINLY PERFORMED BY FOREIGN OR COLORED WORKERS, THEIR TENDENCY TO LEAVE A JOB WHEN UNDESIRABLE CONDITIONS OCCUR, THEIR LACK OF PRIVATE AND ADEQUATE TOILET FACILITIES IN THE FIELDS, THEIR HABIT OF WORKING SPORADICALLY, AND THEIR PREFERENCE NOT TO SETTLE. THE FOUR BROAD CATEGORIES OF MIGRANTS INCLUDE (1) THE NONCONFORMING ROVER WHO AVOIDS BEING TIED DOWN TO A JOB AND ENJOYS FREEDOM TO MOVE ABOUT WHENEVER HE PLEASES, (2) THE SKID-ROW INDIVIDUAL WHO IS USUALLY A SINGLE MAN WITHOUT A FAMILY, (3) THE SEASONAL WORKER WHO MOVES FROM PLACE TO PLACE, AND (4) THE FUTURE-ORIENTED PERSON WHO IS SEEKING RESPONSIBILITY AND A PERMANENT JOB. SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS OF THESE MIGRANTS SHOULD INCLUDE AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM STRESSING VERSATILITY, RETRAINING, STABILIZATION, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS. LABOR CONTRACTORS SHOULD GIVE JOB PREFERENCE TO LOCAL PEOPLE, TEACHERS SHOULD TRY TO RAISE THE GOALS OF THE CHILDREN OF MIGRANT PARENTS. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON FAMILIES WHO FOLLOW THE CROPS (3RD, VISALIA, MARCH 2, 1962).