Life in the 1930s: The Great Depression Era

Typical Family Structure

• Consisted of father, mother, and several children.
• Father worked if employed; high unemployment rates.

Daily Routine

• Father: Leaves for work if employed.
• Children: Walked or took the bus to school.
• Mother's Activities:
  • Monday: Laundry day (manual or machine wash).
  • Tuesday: Ironing day (electric or stove-heated irons).

Entertainment

• Radio: Central entertainment hub.
  • Daytime: Soap operas for mothers.
  • After school: Action/adventure programs for children.
  • Evening: Family programs.
• Board Games:
  • Popular games: Monopoly, Sorry!.

Saturday Evenings

• Shopping (if affordable):
  • Variety of stores (clothing, shoes, sporting goods, music).
• Limited spending due to economic conditions.

Economic Conditions

• Wages:
  • Average: $17/week.
  • Low as $7/week; doctors made about $60/week.
• Prices:
  • Men's shirt: ~$1.
  • Washing machine: ~$33.
  • Winter coat: $18-$28.
  • Milkshake: $0.10, peanuts: $0.01.

Changes Due to Economic Hardship

• Home haircuts, reduced dentist/doctor visits.
• Home births to save money.
• Patching shoes with rubber, hand-me-down clothing.

Impact of Unemployment

• 25% unemployment; 13-15 million jobless.
• Desperation for jobs; thousands applied for few positions.
• Hobos: Rode trains illegally seeking work.

Wage Reduction

• Wages cut by up to 60%; gratitude for any pay.

Food and Living Adjustments

• Food scarcity; cabbage soup, limited meat/vegetables.
• Rotational eating in families.
• Heating limited to one room to save costs.
• Various heating sources: wood, coal, corncobs.

Family Adjustments

• Shared homes, children sent to live with relatives.
• Young children (13+) encouraged to find work.

Overall

• Each family faced unique challenges.
• Struggled to survive in one of America's most challenging periods.