Life — May 21, 1903 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Great American Family Question" This satirical article contrasts two approaches to raising children in America. The left illustration depicts Italian immigrant laborers (referenced as excellent workers with "pick and shovel") carrying multiple children in a basket—satirizing large immigrant families and their working-class conditions. The article argues that wealthy American parents raise fewer children due to cost and competition, while immigrant families raise many children affordably. A person named Bingham claims that raising children in New York is unprofitable compared to importing foreign labor. The right photograph titled "Wholesale Generosity" shows what appears to be a crowded public transit scene, captioned "Take My Seat, Ladies!"—likely mocking either immigrant generosity or chaotic urban conditions. The piece critiques America's preference for cheap immigrant labor over supporting native-born population growth.