Creativity in the Irish family: The cost of immigration

The immigrant irsh, to America, in a quest for respectability, paid a price in creativity — they neglected or discarded a native irish gift for literary expression in particular. Families discouraged the young from more creative pursuits by ridicule and threat of with drawal of love which were commonly used to bring the young into line and ensure that they would follow desirable business and professional pursuits. The election of John F. Kennedy made a difference in the attitude of irish Americans. It made it somewhat easier for the youngto pursue more creative interests than before.