Great Depression and President Frank D Roosevelt - Essay Example

The lingering ravages of the Great Depression are still visible in terms of the economic crises it created for successive generations of families. According to economists, this damaging phenomenon was directly caused by depreciation in stock prices that subsequently led to a stock market crash. Among those most affected by the consequences of this catastrophe were white people especially us women. This is because we were tasked to look after families when men lost jobs and banks, lacked a sufficient amount of money for borrowing. It implies that marriages suffered several hiccups that often delayed courtship and eventually decreased divorce rates.

According to government statistics, the expensive legal fees of supporting two families compelled many women to avoid cases of separation or divorce (Berton, 2001). Another consequence as white women involved a significant drop in birth rates thus causing an alarm in the replacement level in the country. A drop of 35 percent during Herbert Hoover’s regime resulted in a loss of income in four years totaling a drain of $15 million. Therefore, ordinary families experienced a strain in affording household items that could sustain them for a longer period. However, instances of falling apart in case of a decline in resources and income became common, hence, changing the roles of both men and women.

In a 1940 survey, close to 1.5 million married women faced divorce cases as a consequence of disagreements with their husbands. Additionally, women broke boundaries and started seeking employment outside to sustain the welfare of their fledgling families (Freedman, 2005). It indicates the liberties and freedoms that expanded for women because of the Great Depression under F.D. Roosevelt’s administration. The New Deal programs were equally a part of government relief initiatives because they directly benefited women. For example, the program expanded lower pay scales and enacted legislation that accorded women more power in making economic decisions. Jobs also increased to support more Americans, particularly women whose husbands lacked meaningful jobs (Cravens, 2009). Contrastingly, there was legislation under the New Deal that wholly backed white females by reducing cases of job layoffs that usually affected those in the industries. Overall, women played a fundamental role in ensuring the economic crisis caused by a fall in stocks did not cause many deaths.

It, therefore, is essential to acknowledge women in raising strong generations that overcame the Great Depression despite the challenges of the 1930s. The step will embolden those still tackling the ripple effects of global inflation that started in 2008. Read More