15 Historical Photos You Won't Believe Are Real

2. Penny A Kid? - Children Are Put Up For Sale In Recession-Hit Chicago

Children For Sale
zerowoes.com

The woman in the background of this photo is the distressed and embarrassed Lucille Chalifoux who, along with her husband Ray, decided to try and sell her four children.

Both jobless and facing eviction from their flat in Chicago, Illinois, the couple decided they had no option but to place their four young children (pictured on the steps) up for sale in August 1948.

Chicago was hit with a severe recession in the aftermath of World War II, and that is why the couple were willing to part with their offspring for cash.

How desperate a financial position must you be in to do that?

 
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NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.