When the U.S. entered World War II, the nation geared up to support the war effort. Men and women worked at home to fight the war on the home front. The separation from fathers and sons who went off to war left devastating effects on family life.

Women and teens entered the workforce. “Rosie the Riveter” was the popular icon depicting women in the labor market. The teen-aged workforce grew from one million to three million, many choosing to drop out of high school to take jobs. Women, as single-parent families, were overwhelmed with the responsibilities of holding a job and maintaining the household. Wages increased, but so did poverty. 20 million people were on the border of starvation. Divorce increased during the war, as did delinquency and truancy. There were “latchkey” children, those who were left unsupervised at home while their mother worked, by the ten thousands.

For children in World War II, it was the defining experience in their lives. Patriotism increased, but so did anxiety over family separation and loss from death of a family member. Kids planted “Victory Gardens” and helped with the efforts to collect cans, bottles, and scraps of metals. Child labor laws were changed in some states to accommodate children and teens working.

Families had to conserve and recycle items, and there was food rationing and strict punishments for violators. Factories producing Fords gave way to Sherman Tanks. In total, 292,00 servicemen were killed in World War II.

It is estimated that the cost of World War II was $350 billion, but the personal cost to families was far greater. After World War II, the American family was changed forever.