chapter17allen

= Child Labor =



Child labor in the United States truly peaked in the early 20th century. Children worked in grueling working conditions in factories for long hours. Their small size was good for climbing onto machines and changing parts, and threading the thread in sewing machines. Some families depended on their children's extra income, but the pay was not fair and the conditions were not safe. People like Lewis Hine worked to crack down on child labor and get better working conditions for the children. Lewis Hine documented cases of child labor in 1908 in order to gain awareness of the issue. Reformers worked on putting restrictions on child labor, however, the public did not get on board with the reform until the market crashed and adults were in need of jobs. Today, there are child labor laws stating that children under the age of 14 are not allowed to work non-agricultural laws. Child labor in the US has changed drastically going from a common way of life and part of the culture during the industrial revolution, and progressed into a problem of the past with few cases of child labor seen throughout the country.

Picture: "Progressive Era Photo Exhibit." Progressive Era Photo Exhibit. Web. 16 Nov. 2015. Info:

"Child Labor." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. .