The Great Depression: The New Deal--Children and Youth

Figure 1.-- This photo was taken in November 1938 by FSA photographer Dorothea Lange. Her caption read, "Migrant cotton picker's child who lives in a tent in the government camp instead of along the highway or in a ditch bank. Shafter Camp, California." The New Deallaunced a range of programs that benefitted children directly and indirectly in a variety of ways. The only way that children's lives could be decisiveky improved, however, was to end the Drepression and this despite some important achievements was something the New Deal failed to accomplish. Source: Dorothea Lange/Farm Security Administration.

Children benefitted directly and indidirectly from many New Deal programs. The greatest benefit was the jobs provided by New Deal programs, allowing parents, usually men, to adequately support their family. Millions of malnourished school children benefitted by the WPA school lunch program. WPA provided 0.5 million lunches daily in 10,000 schools located throughout the country. Many WPA programs included nursery schools for pre-school children so their parents could work. Mrs. Roosevelt was especially interested in issues involving young people. Her lobbying efforts and advocacy helped to establish the National Youth Administration (NYA--1935). Youth benefitted from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC--1933). The CCC was for boys who had finished school and couldn't find jobs. They worked in national parks and forests throughout the country. They were lodged in camps and provided good food and medical care as well as a small stipend. Other agencies helping children and youth included: the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA--1934), the National Recovery Act (NRA--1934), and the Fair Labor Standards Act (1938).

Mrs. Roosevelt

Mrs. Roosevelt was especially interested in issues involving young people. Her lobbying efforts and advocacy helped to establish the National Youth Administration (NYA--1935). Children wrote to her as never before. [Knepper] Many are hear rending. Those letters in many ways are a testament to the Firsty Lady and an important influence on the American consciousness. This perhaps mopre than anything is the enduring legasy of Mrs. Roosevrlt.

Individual Programs

Children benefitted directly and indidirectly from many New Deal programs. The greatest benefit was the jobs provided by New Deal programs, allowing parents, usually men, to adequately support their family. There were some programs, however that were especially important to children.

Civilian Construction Corps (CCC)

Youth benefitted from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC--1933). The CCC was for boys who had finished schoola nd couldn't find jobs. They worked in national parts and forests throughout the country. This environmental program provided employment for 2.5 million youth and young unmarried men maintaining and restoring forests, beaches, and parks. The stipend was only $1 a day but included received free board and job training. They were lodged in camps and provided good food and medical care. The program operated 1934-37 to 1937. There was also a similar, but much small program for young women. About 8,500 women participated.

Fair Labor Standards Act

The Fair Labor Standards Act (1938) banned child labor and established a minimum wage. Progressive reformers had been struggling decades to achieve these protections.

Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA--1934)

The FERA was established in 1934 and led by Harry Hopkins, a former social worker who was to play a major role with President Roosevelt in World War II. The agency provided funds to depleting local relief agencies. Hopkins believed that men should work and not be simply handed charity. FERA also funded public work programs.

National Recovery Act (NRA--1934)

National Youth Administration (NYA)

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

WPA provided work for 8 million Americans, including the authors mother and mater. The WPA was the most diversified of any New Deal agency. They created jobs in a wide ranging projects. WPA constructed or repaired schools, hospitals, airfields, and other public facilities. They created work for artists, actors, and other performers. Some of the WPA theater performances proved highly controversial. WPA even had a traveling circus. There were WOPA research projects sponsored at universities around the country. Many WPA programs included nursery schools for pre-school children so their parents could work. Millions of malnourished school children benefitted by the WPA school lunch program. WPA provided 0.5 million lunches daily in 10,000 schools located throughout the country. [Woodward]

Sources

Knepper, Cathy D. ed. Dear Mrs. Roosevelt: Letters to Eleanor Roosevelt Through Depression and War (2006). Paperb

Woodward, Ellen. "Hot Lunches for a Million School Children", National Archives, WPA Papers (Record Group 69, Series 737, Box 8), undated but probably 1937.

Created: October 12, 2003
Last updated: 12:36 AM 7/19/2018