From Childhood Rags to Adult Riches: a case study [1]

The childhoods of five British boys, who were born between 1880 and 1933 in low socioeconomic conditions, and who became eminent in adulthood, are examined through a content analysis of written biographical and autobiographical accounts. The influences of mother, organizational structure within the home, and mentors were found to be positive factors that encouraged success. School was not found to be a positive factor. A strong relationship was suspected to exist between the personal characteristics of the boys and the characteristics of resiliency.