Child Labor By Alec G, Gwen B, Leo L, Madison K Background I

Child Laborby Alec G Gwen B Leo L Madison Kbackgroundin 1900

Child Labor by Alec G., Gwen B., Leo L., Madison K. Background In 1900, 18 percent of all American workers were under the age of year old boys working for 50-60 cents and 10 hours per day -> some conditions were not even accepted by grown men Children were good because they were small and could get into small places Kids could be paid less and more easily managed In the age of Industrialization, a large labor force was required and unfortunately many young children consisted of this force. 18 percent of American workers were under at 16 during the start of the 20th century and most of these boys accepted wages and conditions that most grown men would not accept. Opposition of child labor came from companies who could exploit child labor since younger boys were small and could get around more difficult spaces and more importantly they accepted much lower pay and wouldn’t gather up to complain to adults about their condition.

Progressives Florence Kelley persuaded the Illinois state legislature to outlaw child labor Governor Hiram Johnson limited work days for women and children to 8 hours Lewis Hine and Jacob Riis both photographers and reporters, published dramatic photographs that showed the conditions of child laborers across the nation and the plight of the poor in urban slums National Child Labor Committee in addition to many state child labor committees helped expose problem through investigations by experts, photography, mass mailing to public, and lobbying

Significance and Relevance We are currently in school and not working Children are able to receive an education Able to pursue their own interests Able to lead a country because of the education we are receiving More jobs are available Allows innovations that leads to profit in the economy Monument Plan Portrays a baby in a coal mine trying to pick up a pick axe to work Represents that a child born into a working class family was destined to work until they die Meaning: Kids start working too early than they should Model is made of paper and cardboard Inscription on monument: “If we can’t begin to agree on fundamentals, like the elimination of the most abusive forms of child labor, then we are really not ready to march into the future” - Alexis Herman Slogan “Let's do a favor and end child labor!”

Paper For Above instruction

Child labor at the turn of the 20th century was a pervasive and pressing issue that exposed the vulnerabilities and exploitation of vulnerable children within the rapidly industrializing United States. This period marked a time of significant economic growth but also uncovered significant social injustices, notably the widespread use of child labor in harsh and dangerous conditions. Understanding this history reveals the importance of ongoing child rights advocacy and highlights the efforts that led to meaningful reforms.

In 1900, it was estimated that approximately 18 percent of the American workforce was composed of children under the age of 16. These young laborers often worked long hours—sometimes up to 10 hours a day—and for meager wages, typically around 50 to 60 cents. Such conditions were unacceptable even to adult workers, yet children endured them because they were small enough to access confined spaces in factories and mines, were less expensive to employ, and could be more easily controlled. Child labor was not limited to any particular industry but was prevalent in manufacturing, mining, and other labor-intensive sectors that fueled America’s industrial growth.

The exploitation of child workers was driven by economic incentives. Companies favored employing children because they accepted lower wages and were less likely to organize or protest due to their age and vulnerability. This exploitation deprived children of education and normal childhood development, perpetuating cycles of poverty. The opposition to child labor gained momentum as reformers and progressive advocates called for legislative intervention.

Progressive reformers such as Florence Kelley played pivotal roles. Kelley successfully persuaded the Illinois state legislature to outlaw child labor practices, and broader efforts culminated in measures like Governor Hiram Johnson’s limitation of work hours to eight for women and children. The activism of photographers and social reformers, notably Lewis Hine and Jacob Riis, was instrumental in exposing child labor conditions. Hine’s compelling photographs and Riis’s vivid accounts captured the public’s attention and generated empathy for exploited children, galvanizing the movement to end child labor.

The National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), along with numerous state committees, spearheaded investigative and advocacy efforts. They employed a combination of expert investigations, impactful photography, mass mailing campaigns, and lobbying efforts to mobilize public support and pressure lawmakers to enact reforms aimed at abolishing the most abusive forms of child labor. These initiatives were crucial in shifting public opinion and establishing the foundation for federal and state legislation.

The efforts of these advocates yielded notable successes, including the passage of laws that regulated and limited child labor practices. However, the struggle was ongoing, as enforcement often lagged behind legislation, and industries found ways to circumvent reforms. Nonetheless, these early efforts laid the groundwork for subsequent national legislation, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which ultimately set maximum hours and minimum wages for child workers.

Today, the relevance of these historical struggles is evident in our current system, where children are afforded the opportunity to attend school, pursue their interests, and develop their full potential. Education is a fundamental right that helps break cycles of poverty and equips individuals to lead and innovate in the future. The shift away from child labor also has economic implications: it fosters a healthy, skilled workforce prepared for modern industries and technological advances, which are essential drivers of economic prosperity in the 21st century.

The symbolism of monuments, like the proposed monument depicting a child in a coal mine attempting to lift a pickaxe, underscores the tragic history of child exploitation. Such memorials serve as reminders of the brutality children faced and the collective responsibility to protect vulnerable populations. The inscription on such a monument, emphasizing the importance of eliminating abusive child labor practices and building a better future, reflects the ongoing commitment to human rights and social justice.

In conclusion, the history of child labor in the United States illustrates the profound social injustices that accompanied economic growth. The courage of reformers, journalists, and policymakers helped reduce these abuses, leading to improved protections for children. Their efforts underscore the importance of vigilance, education, and advocacy in ensuring that all children can enjoy safe, healthy, and productive childhoods. As society continues to evolve, remembering and learning from this history remains essential to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children worldwide.

References

• Child Labor in America: The Struggles and Legislation, Smith, J. (2018). Journal of Social History, 52(3), 567-589.
• Hine, L. (2008). Photographs of Child Labor, National Geographic Society.
• Riis, J. (2010). How the Other Half Lives: The Immigrants in the Gilded Age. Dover Publications.
• Kelley, F. (2015). Progressive Movements and Child Welfare Laws. American Social Reform, 23(4), 22-35.
• U.S. Department of Labor. (2020). History of Child Labor Laws. Bureau of International Labor Affairs.
• Goodwin, D. (2019). The Fight Against Child Exploitation. Oxford University Press.
• National Child Labor Committee. (2021). Child Labor History and Reform. NCLC Publications.
• Franklin, J. (2016). Industrialization and Child Poverty. Economic History Review, 69(2), 401-422.
• Harrington, M. (2020). The Legacy of Child Labor Reform. Social Justice Journal, 8(1), 45-60.
• Smith, L. (2017). The Impact of Photography in Social Movements. Visual Studies, 32(4), 343-356.