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How Did The Great Depression Affect American Families

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The Great Depression was one of the most severe economic situations in the world, and the effects of it were seen all around the world. It started in the late 1920s and continued on until the early 1940s, and it was known as “the deepest and longest-lasting economic downturn in the history of the western industrialized world”. Stock market crashes, bank failures, and much more left America severely inefficient and struck fear into the American people. Unemployment rates went through the roof, millions of people lost tons of money and savings, and American families were greatly affected. The stock market crash of 1929 started the Great Depression, and World War II ended it. However, The Great Depression would leave a mark on America that no …show more content…

Millions of families lost their savings with the collapse of many banks, and in return, their lives were made tremendously difficult. During this time, the average family income dropped dramatically, families were unable to pay mortgages rent, many were kicked out of their apartments, and some were unable to buy necessities. Both lower, and middle-class families were affected by the Depression. In some cases, two families would crowd together to live in one home or apartment because they could not afford two. Children would typically grow up malnutritioned and with poor clothing. Many teenagers and young adults were traveling by train, or hitch-hiking, trying to find a job that would pay decently. Family roles also changed dramatically. Unemployed men during this time felt like failures when they were unable to provide for their families, and had to rely on their wives and children more than they were used to. Men were supposed to bring home the money that would help his family survive, and when some men could not find work, they felt defeated. These men typically became distant from their families. They may have begun drinking, taking long trips to find work, or deserting their family altogether. The Depression affected divorce rates, as couples decided to put off divorces because they could not pay lawyers’ fees. Birth rates also dropped, because many families either could not afford to raise and care for a child or because they did not want to bring a child into the world during these hard

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