Low Income People in the 1950's

Low income

• Between 20-25% of Americans lived in Poverty in the 1950's.
• Inadequate housing food and medicine
• Highest-earning fifth received 45% of the total income.
• Government programs and minimum wage laws did not cover the lowest paid

poorest families

• often times had little education
• worked in sweatshops, factories or plants
• longer hours for less than minimum wage

Sweatshops

• workers receive $1 an hour
• Many were fired every day
• Must ask permission to use restroom
• Had little to no work rights

Federal Government

• Did not make it easier for people to find jobs
• Many poor Americans were unemployed
• "Woman's place is at home"
• Woman had low-status and low-paying jobs
• often depended on welfare.

Poverty in Southern States

• Many operated small farms for income
• They did not provide an adequate lifestyle 
• Many suffered from severe health problems
• many people found getting food difficult.