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more of beans and two more cans of condensed milk. Eggs have been
taken off rationing and bread is limited to one pound daily, according
to the 1980 informants. Fresh fruits and vegetables remain scarce and
available only sporadically. The 1980 informants state that although
food is supposed to be allocated every 10 days, supplies are limited
and often arrive at 15-day intervals.
Gordon (1982) reports similar findings in his study of 1980 of
Cuban immigrants. He finds that 25% of the children suffered first
degree malnutrition. Fifteen percent of the adults and 12% of the
children suffered from anemia. Black et al. (1976) state that prior
to the Revolution, it is believed that about 35% of the children
suffered from malnutrition.
By the mid-1970s, much of the military costume worn at the inception
of the Revolution was replaced by more conventional dress--short-sleeved
shirts or blouses with trousers or skirts. Primary and secondary school
students wear uniforms indicating their level of study and location of
their school (Black et al., 1976). Clothing choices reflect not so
much personal preferences as availability. The recent immigrants report
that rationing permits men one shirt, pair of trousers, and shoes for
work and one set for dress per year. Women are allowed 4 meters of
cloth, one blouse, one skirt, and one pair of dress pants and shoes per
year. All items are to be purchased according to the ration book and
purchases can be made only when merchandise is available. According to
immigrants, allocated merchandise frequently is not available except
on the black market for very high prices. Because of the rationing
program, it is not unusual to stand in line several hours only to find