There are three areas of social sensitivity in this book that may concern parents, teachers, young adult readers, and others. Probably the most controversial are the feminist attitudes held by Babe and Teddie. Babe, a flapper who briefly dated Rob, smokes, desires a career as a journalist, and believes God is a woman. Teddie dreams of being an aviatrix, does not plan to marry or have children, and has no desire to learn domestic skills.

The Schneider family is quite pious in their spiritual beliefs. They strongly follow their religion, but they have little tolerance for different faiths. For example, Babe is an Episcopalian, and that is not acceptable. Similarly Republicans are the only acceptable political party, and Babe's support of Alfred E. Smith further isolates her. When Teddie's girlfriend, Grace, becomes pregnant, she is quickly whisked out of town with little attention to anything but...