The Great Depression was one of the biggest failures in the history of the United States. Many people who survived the Great Depression would remain frugal throughout the rest of their lives, wary of banks, apt to hoard food, and suspicious of the stock market (thegreatdepressioncauses.com).
The Great Depression brought a rapid rise in the crime rate as many unemployed workers resorted to petty theft to put food on the table. Suicide rates rose, as did reported cases of malnutrition. Prostitution was on the rise as desperate women sought ways to pay the bills (ushistory.org). Health care in general was not a priority for many Americans, since visiting the doctor was reserved for dire emergencies. As many Americans sought outlets for escape, alcoholism increased,
Higher education remained out of reach for most Americans as the nation's universities saw their student bodies shrink during the first half of the decade (us history.org). Public spending on education declined sharply, causing many schools to open understaffed or close due to lack of funds. Rates of abandonment increased as many husbands chose the "poor man's divorce" option — they just ran away from their marriages (us history.org). Birth rates fell sharply, especially during the lowest points of the Depression.
The Great Depression brought a rapid rise in the crime rate as many unemployed workers resorted to petty theft to put food on the table. Suicide rates rose, as did reported cases of malnutrition. Prostitution was on the rise as desperate women sought ways to pay the bills (ushistory.org). Health care in general was not a priority for many Americans, since visiting the doctor was reserved for dire emergencies. As many Americans sought outlets for escape, alcoholism increased,
Higher education remained out of reach for most Americans as the nation's universities saw their student bodies shrink during the first half of the decade (us history.org). Public spending on education declined sharply, causing many schools to open understaffed or close due to lack of funds. Rates of abandonment increased as many husbands chose the "poor man's divorce" option — they just ran away from their marriages (us history.org). Birth rates fell sharply, especially during the lowest points of the Depression.