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I was 21 and looking for work in 1932, one of the worst years of the Great Depression. And I can remember one bleak night in the thirties when my father learned on Christmas Eve that he'd lost his job. To be young in my generation was to feel that your future had been mortgaged out from under you, and that's a tragic mistake we must never allow our leaders to make again.
Ronald Reagan
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on the struggles of youth during the Great Depression and the importance of safeguarding future opportunities.

Ronald Reagan's quote captures the despair faced by young people during the Great Depression, particularly highlighting the emotional impact of unemployment and economic hardship. He emphasizes the need for current and future leaders to learn from past mistakes to ensure that the youth of coming generations do not face the same sense of hopelessness and lost potential.

Themes

Great DepressionYouthFutureLeadersJobsHope

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be cited during a discussion on the importance of economic policies for youth employment.

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We must have faith in the people of this country and faith in our principles.
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