Frances Perkins, the first female cabinet member, was commissioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to create an insurance program to aid the elderly during retirement. Her work resulted in the creation of the Social Security Act of 1935, which was designed to provide pensions to retired workers.
In the 1930s, Social Security was a new idea. Read the opinions below. Decide whether each person would support or oppose Social Security by clicking support or oppose to indicate the response that you think reflects the opinion of the individual making the Social Security statement. To assess your answers, click the Check My Answers button at the bottom of the page.
1) "It seems to me that everyone should be able to pull his own weight."
2) "I worked my whole life, but at age 60, I lost everything in the Depression."
3) "Americans have the right to enjoy their retirement without worrying about how they will pay the rent."
4) "Why do I have to pay taxes so that someone who didn't think ahead can live well? I've got my own kids to feed."
