Doukhobor Childhood and Family Life

Abstract

One of the strongest impressions that emerged from my two summers with the Doukhobors was of the diversity of personality among adults and children alike. I did not find it possible to put my finger on any one pattern of personality characteristics which could clearly and reliably distinguish “the Doukhobor” from anyone else.

This study of Doukhobor child-rearing and family life was carried on during the summers of 1950 and 1951, through the method of participant observation.

During these two summers — 1950 with Miss Gerry Kanigan, a graduate student at the University of British Columbia, and herself a grand-daughter of Doukhobors, and 1951 by myself — I lived in five different Doukhobor households, varying from a period of a few days to several weeks in each household. There were a number of overnight visits with additional families. The localities in which I made my observations included Krestova, Appledale, Winlaw, Claybrick, Glade, Blewett, Nelson, Brilliant, Ooteshenie, Pass Creek, Raspberry Village, Castlegar, Robson, and Grand Forks. There were Sons of Freedom, Independents, and Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ Doukhobors among those I lived with, and some who were in the process of transition from the USCC to the Sons of Freedom.