![]() ![]() Families held to their normal values and stressed the importance of family unity. Especially in thousands of small towns, the traditions of community life ran deep and endured. ![]() Those fortunate enough to maintain income, although it almost always was lower than before the 1929 stock market crash, carried on with life as close to normal as possible. Although several hundred thousand businesses went under, some two million endured, providing products and services. While 25 percent of the American labor force was unemployed during the Great Depression, 75 percent maintained at least some kind of an income. Issue Summary Employed-The Fortunate Americans The country's overall economic difficulties left them to struggle for survival amid poverty, hunger, and illness. All were marginally poor before the Depression-barely making ends meet. Still the strain of economic pressures broke some families apart.Īmericans most susceptible to hard times were black Americans, the elderly, those in areas where factories shut down, farmers caught in Dust Bowl areas, and those in coal-mining regions. ![]() Painting the outside of a home or shopping at nice secondhand dress shops would help "keep up appearances." Likewise, farm families who did not lose their farms relied on thrift, conservation, gardens, and strong family ties to see them through.Įffects of the Depression on the family structure included postponed marriages, fewer babies, youths staying home longer, and combining households to aid needy relatives. To "make do," a pot roast could be stretched to last in several creative meals. Families devised various ways to "cut corners," "make do," and "keep up appearances." To "cut corners," clothing could be sewn at home. Those of the working class, middle class, and upper middle class fortunate enough to keep their jobs carried on with life as close to normal as they could. Almost everyone saw their income decrease but likewise the prices of goods decreased. Nevertheless, the economic bad times did affect the lifestyles of all but the very wealthy. In the face of the suffering caused by the Great Depression, the family remained a source of strength for most Americans. Everyday Life 1929-1941 Introduction Issue Summary Contributing Forces Perspectives Impact Notable People Primary Sources Suggested Research Topics Bibliography See Also Introduction ![]()
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