The Great Depression, from 1929 to 1939 was the worst depression in American history. During the Stock Market Crash of 1929, people lost their jobs, owed money, banks collapsed, and most lost their life savings, homes, and businesses. This was an over whelming time for many people, and had extreme effects on the children, especially those living in the Midwestern States. The youth who resided in the Midwest suffered greatly during the depression by forced responsibility, physical ailments, and experienced distress in mental and emotional issues.
Children in the Midwest during the depression had lots of responsibilities. Some boys and girls could not attend school because parents needed them to find jobs to help support the family or work on the farm. Boys usually would sale newspapers on the street corners, do …show more content…
Farmers and their families could grow their own food, raise chickens, and other livestock. The down side to this was that families could not make a living selling their products because of the drought that had hit the Midwest. Farmers were lucky if they could produce enough food for their families. Children were malnourished and hungry. Children dug through garbage and even begged for food hoping to fill their stomachs. Some of them starved to death or became violently ill. Physically it took a toll on all people, but the youngest suffered most. People who lived on farms did not have running water, they got it from a well. When the drought happened, people could not get fresh water to drink or bathe with. This also contributed to the physical decline of children. The Dust Bowl also had made breathing very difficult and caused respiratory problems. Asthma, bronchitis, influenza, and coughing spasms were all signs of inhaling dust. Children would put material over their faces to try not to breathe dirt and debris in the air. Still many died from dust pneumonia particularly infants, children, and the
Children in the Midwest during the depression had lots of responsibilities. Some boys and girls could not attend school because parents needed them to find jobs to help support the family or work on the farm. Boys usually would sale newspapers on the street corners, do …show more content…
Farmers and their families could grow their own food, raise chickens, and other livestock. The down side to this was that families could not make a living selling their products because of the drought that had hit the Midwest. Farmers were lucky if they could produce enough food for their families. Children were malnourished and hungry. Children dug through garbage and even begged for food hoping to fill their stomachs. Some of them starved to death or became violently ill. Physically it took a toll on all people, but the youngest suffered most. People who lived on farms did not have running water, they got it from a well. When the drought happened, people could not get fresh water to drink or bathe with. This also contributed to the physical decline of children. The Dust Bowl also had made breathing very difficult and caused respiratory problems. Asthma, bronchitis, influenza, and coughing spasms were all signs of inhaling dust. Children would put material over their faces to try not to breathe dirt and debris in the air. Still many died from dust pneumonia particularly infants, children, and the