Social Security Act

Questions for Further Study

• 1. Have attitudes about retirement changed from what they were in 1935? Research changes in life expectancy, average retirement age, and other factors that might have an impact. Do we have different expectations with respect to lifestyle today?
• 2. Roosevelt was adamantly against a system that was “the dole.” What would he think of Social Security today? Is the current system true to his vision, or is it something else? Would he modify it, or leave it as is?
• 3. What do you think will be the next modification to Social Security? Do you think private accounts will be created or that some other type of change will occur?
• 4. America has a long history of dealing with the conflict between federal and state power. Compare this act with the Constitution, paying special attention to the Tenth Amendment. Why do you think the Supreme Court upheld the Social Security Act?
• 5. How was unemployment described in American film during the Great Depression? How does it differ from our current view? Evaluate the Charlie Chaplin film Modern Times as a product of the 1930s.