Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

Typical housewives of the 1950s were caring mothers, and obedient housewives. A 1950s mother put others before herself, even in times of despair. It was up to her to hold the family together. Ruth Younger the mom in the drama A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, is a very caring and hardworking mother who strives to keep her family above poverty. In times where African American families were discriminated, the Youngers faced hardships and were forced to live in Chicago's ghettos on the south side. The only thing keeping the Younger family above poverty is the hard work of Ruth, Mama, and Walter. Ruth Younger is burdened by a new baby and is a victim of poverty and hopelessness.

When Ruth returns from the doctor later in Act I, Beneatha snaps at Ruth’s fortune. Though she is starting to gain more self confidence in her life, Ruth is brought down again. As she finds out that she is pregnant, her ignorant sister-in-law stresses, “Where is he going to live, on the roof?” (58) Living in such tight conditions, Beneatha makes Ruth rethink everything. For most of the Younger family's life, they have had to constantly worry about what to do with their money and how to make the best of it. As a result, Ruth considers receiving an abortion to further benefit her
In Scene 2 in Act I, Walter has heard about the pregnancy and finds it hard to believe what she is considering. Talking to Mama, he claims, “You don’t know Ruth, Mama, if you think she would do that.” (75) Ruth declares, “Yes I would too, Walter. I gave her a