Women in the Great Depression

“The women came out of the houses to stand beside their men – to feel whether this time the men would break… Women and children knew deep in themselves that no misfortune was too great to bear if their men were whole” (4). Throughout the novel, Steinbeck shows the roles of women and children next to the husbands and fathers within their families. During the Great Depression, everyone needed to fend for themselves and their own family. Men were seen as the protectors and providers and the women and children were intended to follow in their path.Women had the responsibility of cooking and taking care of the children while their husbands handled financial responsibilities. Steinbeck though also portrayed how the mothers of the family can often be the glue to the whole family. For example Ma, in the Joad family is their rock. They look to her for comfort within all of their troubles. Maybe not all women of families have her same sense of power but Ma has a large say in their decisions. No matter the situation, Ma wants to keep the family at all costs. Ma refuses to leave when Tom offers to stay back with the preacher when one of their cars break down so the family can keep moving. The men saw it as the best option but she knew that staying together is key to getting through their troubles. Families need a backbone and she is theirs. Families need each other make it through such a dark time in history.