Everyday lIFE IN AN eCONOMIC sINKHOLE
Family Life during the Great Depression was extremely hard (in urban and suburban areas). Money was scarce so they had to make due with what they had and save where they could. Families during the Depression had to make ends meet with less. The average monthly income fell to $1,500 in 1933 down from $2,300 in 1929. Unemployment more than quadrupled to 25%. In addition, bank failures spread across the country like wildfire, causing millions to lose their savings with no government programs to give them hope of seeing their money ever again. Also, over 200,000 people lost their homes in the start of the era and became "bums" or nomads, traveling across the great American highways.
While many cities were running out of money for new projects, farmers were also having difficulties of their own. Life during the Great Depression for farmers was no easy task. Many of them ran out of money and ended up losing their farms. Those who didn’t, had to cope with the harsh and arid conditions of the “Dust Bowl”. The “Dust Storms” were huge clouds of black dust and debris that were present in the Great Plains of the United States. The dust particles would find their way into the homes of farmers through any little crack, thus causing hazardous living conditions both outside and inside of the home.
During the Great Depression, every family member needed to help gain income in order to survive. Many
children left schools to help support their families by working for jobs that paid minimum wages. At the height of the Great Depression, approximately 2.5 million children, between the ages of 10-18, worked in factories, canonries, mines or even farms. During their free time however, kids just enjoyed “being kids,” playing baseball and getting into mischief with other local children.
The average women living during the Great Depression still had a husband that worked, only for shorter hours and for less pay. As a result, women had to pinch pennies and make ends meet by being creative. Planting gardens to save on food and buying products on a budget were some ways in which they dealt with the horrid problem. Also, some women worked, but typically for shorter hours and seasonal jobs. Many were pressured into leaving their jobs so that men could take their place! Additionally, women who got married were also expected to leave their jobs and become housewives, tending to the families, rather than supporting them economically.
While many cities were running out of money for new projects, farmers were also having difficulties of their own. Life during the Great Depression for farmers was no easy task. Many of them ran out of money and ended up losing their farms. Those who didn’t, had to cope with the harsh and arid conditions of the “Dust Bowl”. The “Dust Storms” were huge clouds of black dust and debris that were present in the Great Plains of the United States. The dust particles would find their way into the homes of farmers through any little crack, thus causing hazardous living conditions both outside and inside of the home.
During the Great Depression, every family member needed to help gain income in order to survive. Many
children left schools to help support their families by working for jobs that paid minimum wages. At the height of the Great Depression, approximately 2.5 million children, between the ages of 10-18, worked in factories, canonries, mines or even farms. During their free time however, kids just enjoyed “being kids,” playing baseball and getting into mischief with other local children.
The average women living during the Great Depression still had a husband that worked, only for shorter hours and for less pay. As a result, women had to pinch pennies and make ends meet by being creative. Planting gardens to save on food and buying products on a budget were some ways in which they dealt with the horrid problem. Also, some women worked, but typically for shorter hours and seasonal jobs. Many were pressured into leaving their jobs so that men could take their place! Additionally, women who got married were also expected to leave their jobs and become housewives, tending to the families, rather than supporting them economically.