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families. Four spoke of having ice cream which was better in Cuba
than in the U.S. Seven said they did not remember much about Cuba, but
if I had a specific question they would try to answer. Four talked
about the Comit de Defensa (CDR) and how people worked to help monitor
the area where they lived. Three told of reminding people not to
use so much electricity. Their job was to go out at night and check
which homes had on the lights. One spoke of not being able to go any
where without having to report to someone in the CDR. Ten mentioned
the Pioneer activities and trips to the countryside in summer. The
Pioneers is the government sponsored mass organization for young
students. From students' descriptions, the Cuban Pioneer organization
is similar to the Russian Pioneer organization (see Bronfenbrenner,
1968, 1970, for description). Homes of the formerly rich have been
converted into Pioneer palaces where children go on special occasions.
Eighteen spoke about having many friends in Cuba. They said they
always had fun with friends and relatives because everyone lived close
together. Two spoke about the pretty color of the water.
5. What did you do on Saturdays and Sundays? Some students
answered this in number 4. Twenty-six spoke about going on picnics
to the beach or to the countryside or getting together with relatives
and friends. When asked how often they went to the beach or country
side, 22 said about once a year and four did not remember. Twelve
spoke of going to or participating in rallies, parades, or special
workers' days. Some worked with parents at school or in some community
project. Ten spoke of going to movies with family or friends. One
student said he tried to get his mother to help at school or attend a