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Teenagers' lives were greatly impacted by the Great Depression. Three-quarters of those who worked were unemployed, many took on responsibilities at home and some were uprooted completely in search of employment and a better life. During the Great Depression the concept of a teenager or adolescent was not yet mainstream knowledge (psychologically or medically). Society viewed teenagers as adults and they often had responsibilities and held full time jobs, although most continued to live in their parents' home. Many teenagers cared for their siblings to support their families while parents worked long hours or traveled for work. Others worked part time to help contribute, however older adults were quickly taking whatever jobs were available and the teens who worked prior to the Depression were often the first to be let go. A quarter million teenagers decided to leave home during the Depression, becoming hobos that roamed America on the railroads. Some left because they felt like a burden, some left in hopes of finding employment and others left for adventure alone. The homeless teens, often referred to as "tramps", began to cause trouble, and the government declared it a "youth crisis". Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal included a program called the Civilian Conservation Corps that employed the homeless young men. From 1933 to 1942, teens worked with the Forest Service to renew the soils and forests that had been decimated in recent years due to over cutting and farming. When World War II began, many of the country's teenagers joined the armed forces, which offered them employment and a way to contribute to their families. Many of the young men working for the Civilian Conservation Corps also joined the service and that program was discontinued.Concept of Teenager
Helping at Home
Leaving Home
Civilian Conservation Corps
Joining the Service
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by Nemesis on March 3rd, 2010
U don't wanna know....
by Brian I on March 3rd, 2010
The word teenager hadn't yet been coined. There were just children and adults and, apart from the rich, life was hard for all of them. They thought themselves lucky if they could get a physically demanding job from age 13 and, once they wor working, they were adult, with all the responsibilities that implies.
by LePoupon is a proper gander. on March 3rd, 2010
depressing
by Waismartialartsacademy on November 22nd, 2011
Wouldn't know I was to high... on life.
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