What was life like for families in the 1930s?

What was life like for families in the 1930s?

1930s: Disadvantaged families couldn’t afford much for their children, so most of their clothes were cast offs and children often went barefoot. Most middle-income boys wore t-shirts with overalls and girls wore blouses and plain dresses. Both would have one pair of shoes and an outfit for special occasions.

How were many families affected by the Great Depression?

Millions of families lost their savings as numerous banks collapsed in the early 1930s. Unable to make mortgage or rent payments, many were deprived of their homes or were evicted from their apartments. Both working-class and middle-class families were drastically affected by the Depression.

What did families do in the 1930s?

Often, people chose to spend time at home. Neighbors got together to play cards, and board games such as Scrabble and Monopoly—both introduced during the 1930s—became popular. The radio also provided a free form of entertainment. By the early 1930s, many middle class families owned a home radio.

How was family life during the Great Depression?

The Depression had a powerful impact on family life. It forced couples to delay marriage and drove the birthrate below the replacement level for the first time in American history. The divorce rate fell, for the simple reason that many couples could not afford to maintain separate households or pay legal fees.

How did families live during the Great Depression?

The average American family lived by the Depression-era motto: “Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without.” Many tried to keep up appearances and carry on with life as close to normal as possible while they adapted to new economic circumstances. Households embraced a new level of frugality in daily life.

How were people’s lives during the Great Depression?

More important was the impact that it had on people’s lives: the Depression brought hardship, homelessness, and hunger to millions. THE DEPRESSION IN THE CITIES In cities across the country, people lost their jobs, were evicted from their homes and ended up in the streets.

How did families survive the Great Depression?

To save money, families neglected medical and dental care. Many families sought to cope by planting gardens, canning food, buying used bread, and using cardboard and cotton for shoe soles. Despite a steep decline in food prices, many families did without milk or meat.

What did kids play with in the Great Depression?

During the 1930s, dolls, stuffed animals, toy cars, and board games were all popular toys that we still enjoy today. For families who could not afford to buy many toys, they would make their own and get creative! One of the biggest forms of entertainment during this time was the radio.

What was the average family like during the Great Depression?

Where did families live during the Great Depression?

Those traveling the country in search of work often camped in “Hoovervilles,” shantytowns named after Herbert Hoover, president during the early years of the Great Depression. Crime was mythologized, but this was largely hype.

What was life like for families during the Great Depression?