The Great Depression caused families to live on little money due to no jobs. By 1933, near thirty million Americans lost their source of income. Those lucky enough to keep their jobs were reduced to part time schedules. People found themselves out of work and searching for a better life. Children had to deal with changes in their education. The Middle class had to deal with life without money or security. Farmers had to deal with foreclosures and droughts. Many rich even committed suicide by jumping off bridges because they lost all of their money. In 1933, the New Deal was passed. The New Deal meant that the government would aid and employ people during this time.
Many children were deprived of an education because many schools had to close. Although, some children were lucky enough to stay in school. Some teachers didn't care if they were getting paid or not. They wanted to give children the education that they needed and deserved. Malnutrition was also a huge problem. In fact, a 1932 study found that 20.5% of children were suffering from malnutrition. The death rates for children suffering from undernourishment was rising. The children simply did not have enough stamina or energy to fight off these diseases. Teenagers during this period were known for “riding the rails.” A lot of teenagers felt like they were a burden to their families and were ashamed of their poverty and unemployment that they went to find better lives. 250,000 teenagers were riding freight trains all over America. About 85% were in search of employment.
African Americans lived in rural areas and worked on farms owned by whites. Even though they were already going through rough times and poverty, the Great Depression worsened living conditions. The Great Depression really hit them hard.
Farmers were doing even worse than before, also. They had already lost money due to the industrialization in cities the decade before, or the Roaring Twenties. Prices of food that farmers produced deflated so much and they were unable to make profit off their land. Farmers in the middle portion of the country suffered even more. They were suffered even worse drought due to the Dust Bowl. They were no longer making money off their lands. Then they didn't have enough money to support their families. Farmers grew deeper into debt and were unable to make payments on their land and their machinery. Banks they loaned money from foreclosed on their land. Some farmers moved west with their families to find better lives.