Amidst bleak economic conditions, dating has always been a source of light for Americans. Historian Beth Bailey notes that despite the struggles of the Great Depression, young people found joy in movie outings and shared treats, often seen as a brief escape from hardship. Traditionally, economic downturns coincide with increased interest in romantic connections, as people seek comfort during uncertainty. Sociologists indicate that not only past but also present dips in the economy lead to similar increases in dating engagement, highlighting love's importance during tough times.
Life was bleak, bleak, bleak: Soup-kitchen lines ran for blocks. Teenagers walked across the nation on foot, looking for work. Parents fashioned cardboard soles for their children's little shoes.
In the 1930s, more jobs opened up for single women; with money of their own, more could move away from family, providing newfound freedom to date.
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