While most Americans are familiar with the Great Depression as a time of economic disaster, it also had an impact on the American Family life. There were obvious differences in the classes as a result of the Great Depression. The lower and the middle classes changed considerably, but the upper class lifestyle did not vary a great deal. (Simmons 41)

The father's role as head of the household became more challenging because there were fewer jobs. The expectation was for fathers to work and support their families. The reality of the lower class was that few men brought home paychecks. Some father

Along with a change in the American family life, there was also an increase in poverty. The Great Depression was an intense time of poverty. The downfall of American businesses, the closing of banks, and the lowered employment contributed to this period of destitute. According to an old study "26,000 American businesses collapsed; in 1931, 28,000 more met the same fate. And by the beginning of 1932, nearly 3,500 banks, holding billions of dollars in uninsured deposits, had gone under. Twelve million people were unemployed (nearly 25 percent of the workforce), and the real earnings for those still lucky enough to have jobs fell by a third" (Internet). This statistical evidence effectively illustrates the increase in poverty caused by the Great Depression.

Women were offered greater opportunities in the work force, however they tended to take the position of stay-at-home mothers. According to Simmons "Men resented employed women for they felt that they were occupying jobs that could be given to unemployed men."(Simmons 43)

The Great Depression had an enormous effect on American life. It effected family life by altering the status of the family members. Poverty increased as seen through the number of collapsed American businesses, closed banks, and lowered employment rates. President Hoover balanced the economic needs of the country with his personal belief in "rugged individualism." He proposed a series of acts to address these economic needs including the Reconstruction Act, the Stealgal Act, and the Federal Home Loan Bank Act.

Along with a change in the American family life, there was also an increase in poverty. The Great Depression was an intense time of poverty. The downfall of American businesses, the closing of banks, and the lowered employment contributed to this period of destitute. According to an old study "26,000 American businesses collapsed; in 1931, 28,000 more met the same fate. And by the beginning of 1932, nearly 3,500 banks, holding billions of dollars in uninsured deposits, had gone under. Twelve million people were unemployed (nearly 25 percent of the workforce), and the real earnings for those still lucky enough to have jobs fell by a third" (Internet). This statistical evidence effectively illustrates the increase in poverty caused by the Great Depression.

Children in the lower class were expected to get an education so that they could improve their situation. In addition they were needed at home to help with household chores. Unfortunately, many poor children dropped out of school because of their obligations at home. Children in the middle class were better than those in the lower class. They had the opportunity to stay in school and were treated to some luxuries. The children of the upper class families received an excellent education and were treated to many luxuries. (Simmons 42-43)

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Approximate Word count = 1932
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)