Daily life for a lower class family - K. Patel

When one looks into the past and notices the many signs that heralded the start of the Great Depression the signs were first manifested most obviously in the lives and actions of the lower class families, as they did not have a fortune to spend before hardship would strike. They were already struggling and when Depression hit they were the first to suffer and the hardest hit.





Daily Life during the Great Depression was vastly different than any other time period in America. The Great Depression’s unemployment rate rose to 13 Million People, the country had only 125 Million People! The 13 million was primarily comprised of Men who were often the head of their households. By not being able to financially support their families, several young family members were forced to do what they could. Teenage boys would take up jobs in factories, some even had paper routes. Most girls took up sewing and knitting, whether it was for money or for their own families. This generation was often uneducated and did not complete schooling past elementary, if that. Many people committed suicide during this time period, giving the US its highest suicide rate. Entertainment was brutal then, not much to do. They would tell stories, sing, and sometimes be able to see movies or listen to radio shows. Luxuries during this time period consisted of listening to the radio to “Little Orphan Annie”. Also “Gone with the Wind” was an instant classic. It sold more tickets than any movie even today! It would break the all time box office records if adjusted for inflation. Families would survive on bread and soups for months, and years, during this time period. Butter was considered a luxury as well as sugar. Homes were foreclosed; families were forced to move into small apartments not meant for more than one person, often accommodating 5 or 6 people. If they could they would move in with other relatives whom were able to save their homes from the Great Depression. Many people invested all they had in the stock market, hoping to get rich quick, or perhaps even make enough to save their money. This was the lowest the market ever was. Times during the Great Depression was very difficult and at most times unbearable. Through president Hoover, and FDR, our country was able to save themselves and “pull themselves up by their bootstraps”.