The Effects of Paternalism Upon an Industrial Community's Participation in Schooling.

The influence of paternalism upon a community's school district participation is discussed in this historical case study. Interviews and historical research explore the impact of the "welfare capitalism" of the Endicott Shoe Corporation and International Business Machines on Harrison City, New York, from 1890 through the present. An analysis of the history of recurring community deference to paternalistic leadership in Harrison City indicates the power and ability of this leadership model to satisfy community needs in the educational and economic systems. Just as characteristics of paternalistic leadership varied with each leader, community deference or resistance to paternalism fluctuated with changes in social, political, economic, and emotional community structures. Findings of the study document patterns of active community resistance. Community deference accorded to paternalistic leadership depended upon the degree to which the leader was able to successfully transform a work or educational ideology into a positive community ethos. The complexities of this reciprocal relationship contribute to either public deference and loyalty or public resistance and possible usurpation of the paternalistic leader. (10 references) (LMI)