In the Care of Grandmother (c. 1910)

Industrialization caused a demographic shift in Imperial Germany. Seeking industrial employment, former agricultural workers moved to cities, where they lived in cramped, overcrowded apartments. Often, both parents needed to work to pay for rent and daily necessities. In the photo below, an elderly working-class woman looks after her grandchildren. When both parents had to work, grandparents made essential contributions to the household, especially with respect to child care.

print version     return to image list

previous image      next image

© Deutsches Historisches Museum