Child labor refers to work that violates children's right to an enjoyable childhood, prevents them from attending school and has adverse health implications. Abuse often drives child labor while poverty and some cultural beliefs also play a part.
Early attempts to regulate or prohibit child labor began in 1904. Investigative techniques included factory inspections and publishing photographs which caused outrage in the public eye.
Working Conditions
During the Industrial Revolution, children worked long and dangerous hours under conditions that were both unsafe and unhealthy. Children worked on dangerous machinery while being exposed to toxic chemicals which stunted their growth and led to illness; many worked through the night shifts for meager wages that often went directly toward paying housing or food costs instead of going towards their paychecks.
Many parents defended sending their kids out to work from an early age by asserting it was both economically necessary and morally imperative, instilling discipline and an excellent work ethic in them as preparation for adulthood. Others claimed it was essential for family life by providing income to support a growing household and put food on the table.
Employers found child labor an economical solution. Employers found children easier to manage than adults and could perform jobs that adults simply couldn't. Furthermore, children tended to follow orders without complaint, which made them ideal for working grueling shifts at cotton mills or coal mines.
Early reformers witnessed horrendous working conditions and campaigned for laws to protect children. Their efforts met resistance from factory owners who feared these laws would hinder production and increase prices, yet social reformers managed to influence public opinion in favor of laws which established age limits for workers, set maximum working hours per child and mandated school attendance requirements.
Though children continue to be exploited for labor today, things have vastly improved from what was seen during the Industrial Revolution. Yet their stories serve as a sobering reminder that progress may come at a price; we must remain vigilant against those in need and protect those most at risk - in fields, mines, factories and packaging salt are some of the most vulnerable workers who require protection; our responsibility lies with pushing reforms so these youngsters may lead a life free from exploitation and hardship.
Reform Movements
As people became aware of how poor factory conditions were, they started demanding change. There was, however, considerable resistance from both factory owners and families who relied on the money their children brought home; Camella Teoli is emblematic of many working children during this period: her story includes falsified documents she was forced to sign, injuries at work and treatment from mill-owners such as threats, fines, corporal punishment and instant dismissal as major contributors that brought child labour to light.
In 1900, the first real effort to limit and regulate child labor was initiated when the National Child Labor Committee was formed. They employed various techniques in their fight to ban using children as workers such as investigations by experts, the use of photographs and convincing lobbying campaigns; yet many businesses preferred this form of cheap and reliable workforce to achieve lasting ban on child labor.
British children typically began working as early as 9 years old and many did not receive equal pay to adults - orphans and poor families were often seen as cheap labour options which factories purchased to keep working for them.
However, the movement to reduce child labor became increasingly widespread across many nations. Lewis Hine was particularly influential here; his photographs showing children working under deplorable conditions in factories contributed significantly towards raising awareness of this issue.
At the turn of this century, various laws were passed to combat child labor but most were insufficient in stopping its use; many left loopholes for employers to exploit. After the Great Depression hit America and out-of-work adults returned to work, sweeping reforms occurred that significantly decreased child labor; such as The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 which established minimum wages, limitations on how long children could work per shift and compulsory school attendance requirements; although certain industries such as agriculture continue to utilize child labour today.
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens was a writer who used his writings to bring child labor and other social problems to the attention of the general public. Through his stories, Dickens highlighted how children were suffering under rapid industrialization changes, needing help from society at large. His stories continue to be read today as reminders to be kind towards all individuals.
Dickens began his writing career as a journalist for The Mirror of Parliament and The True Sun newspapers. Although his early works weren't well received, Dickens found success after publishing Barnaby Rudge in 1842 in response to a parliamentary report investigating working conditions at mines.
Conditions for factory workers were harsh, and many earned low wages that barely provided enough support for themselves or their families. Workdays could last long and be hazardous; injuries or deaths would often go without compensation being provided by employers or government programs; children were frequently recruited into factories and mines and could work up to 16 hours each day!
Children were often placed into workhouses where they remained for an average stay of three years, meant as homes for those unable to care for themselves, yet often filled with abuse and neglect. Charles Dickens used Oliver Twist as an opportunity to criticize these places of neglect towards poor people.
Many people attempted to assist the poor during this time by creating what were known as "ragged schools." These taught children the value of education while providing food. Unfortunately, however, these measures weren't enough to change most poor people's circumstances and they still suffered from poverty.
Dickens had experience working as a blacking factory worker himself and used his firsthand knowledge to critique how children were being treated during his time. Dickens advocated for better sanitation, slum housing and popular education - as well as for working men having the right to organize.
Conclusions
Child labor was one of the darker aspects of this period of rapid industrialization. Children were subjected to hazardous working conditions which left long-term consequences on their health and wellbeing. Outrage over this practice caused efforts to reform child labor laws; yet the practice continued across many industries throughout the 20th century.
Scholars generally agree that the Industrial Revolution saw an exponential increase in child labor. Opinions vary as to why this happened: Some consider it in response to rising factory output demands; others attribute it to a new domestic ideology emphasizing male breadwinners and housewives; still others claim poverty drove parents to send their children off to work in factories as a source of funds; still others assert it was simply due to poverty; parents sent children out because they needed the money.
Historians disagree about whether child labor was particularly novel during the Industrial Revolution. Some historians posit that children had long worked hard on farms and cottage industries for centuries. Others contend that factory conditions weren't any worse than at homes or cottage industries and justify employing children by noting how it kept production running smoothly and allowed them to compete against foreign products made manually.
Conditions in factories were not only detrimental for workers themselves, but also detrimental for their families. According to studies, children exposed to harsh working environments had lower birth weights and shorter heights at birth than others exposed. They were also more likely to suffer malnourishment due to mothers being illiterate and thus incapable of providing their infants and toddlers with sufficient nourishment.
Reform of child labor began during the Progressive Era with legislation designed to limit hours children could work and establish minimum wage levels, with some success; other initiatives, like Congress' attempt to use taxation powers against child labor were found unconstitutional and thus failed.
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