It was only in the mid 20th century that the US enacted federal standards regarding child labor. We look back on that in photos.
In an attempt to eliminate what it views as a global problem, the Obama administration is currently conducting an investigation on child labor around the world — from Russian children forced into pornography to child tobacco farmers in Nicaragua. The Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs has recently opened up a report for public comment, in which it identifies child labor practices in over one hundred countries and suggests ways to end them.
While a gander at these practices is indeed a bit jarring, the truth is that until relatively recently, the United States had its own sordid history with child labor. You can see for yourself in these photos from the Library of Congress:
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1 of 27Child laborers in a factory. 2 of 27Girl in Cherryville Mill, Cherryville, North Carolina. 3 of 2710 year old Norma Lawrence picks 100 - 150 lbs of cotton per day in Comanche County, Oklahoma, 1916. 4 of 27Young doffers at Elk Cotton Mill, Fayetteville, Tennessee. 1910. 5 of 278 year old Jennie picks cranberries at Theodore Budd’s Bog at Turkeytown, near Pemberton, N.J. She has missed 6 weeks of school already to do this work. 6 of 27Francis Lance, 5, regularly sells newspapers on Grand Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, 1910. 7 of 27A Greek bootblack, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1908. 8 of 27Corn thrashing during school hours on a farm in Dublin, Georgia. 9 of 27The young man sitting at this cotton mill warping machine has been working at Clyde Cotton Mill in Newton, North Carolina for two years. 1908. 10 of 27Boy at Greel’s Shoe-shining Parlor, Indianapolis, Indiana works some nights until 11 pm. 1908. 11 of 27Youngsters making bands from cotton, 1910. 12 of 27A well-to-do young man purposely kept out of school to harvest beets with this dangerous looking tool. 13 of 27Working at a canning machine with open gears, J. S. Farrand Packing Co., Baltimore Maryland. 1909. 14 of 27A widow and boy rolling papers for cigarettes in New York. 15 of 27Mother and children 11, 9, and 6 make artifical flowers. A two year old sibling is currently learning. 16 of 27Noon break for the workers at an Indianapolis furniture factory, 1908. 17 of 27A “carrying-in boy” at Canton Glass Works, Marion, Indiana. 1908. 18 of 27Another J. S. Farrand worker, packing a heavy load, 1909. 19 of 27Katie, 13, and Angeline, 11, sew irish lace in New York for $1 a week. 1912. 20 of 27Boy making melon baskets, Evansville, Indiana, 1908. 21 of 27Joe, 10, Jospehine, 14, and Camille, 7 shelling nuts in a dirty tenement home, 1910. 22 of 27The smallest pea sorter shown here at Ross’s Cannery, in Seaford, Delaware is 5 years old. 1910. 23 of 27Boy polishing marble at Vermont Marble Co., Centre Rutland, Vermont. 1910. 24 of 27Boy working with a board saw alongside veteran worker. 25 of 27Carrying “spragging irons” along an elevated track at the Bessie Mine, Alabama. 1910. 26 of 27Workers stringing beans at J. S. Farrand Packing Company in a Baltimore, Maryland, 1909. 27 of 27Like this gallery?Share it:
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Children From Early 20th Century America Probably Worked Harder Than You View Gallery
How The Labor Movement Helped “Create” Childhood
Before Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, there were no federal standards regarding the treatment of child laborers. What this meant was that before this time, employers could pay child laborers even less than adult laborers and subject them to more dangerous conditions given the fact that, as children, they weren’t as likely to protest.
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1 of 27Child laborers in a factory. 2 of 27Girl in Cherryville Mill, Cherryville, North Carolina. 3 of 2710 year old Norma Lawrence picks 100 - 150 lbs of cotton per day in Comanche County, Oklahoma, 1916. 4 of 27Young doffers at Elk Cotton Mill, Fayetteville, Tennessee. 1910. 5 of 278 year old Jennie picks cranberries at Theodore Budd’s Bog at Turkeytown, near Pemberton, N.J. She has missed 6 weeks of school already to do this work. 6 of 27Francis Lance, 5, regularly sells newspapers on Grand Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, 1910. 7 of 27A Greek bootblack, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1908. 8 of 27Corn thrashing during school hours on a farm in Dublin, Georgia. 9 of 27The young man sitting at this cotton mill warping machine has been working at Clyde Cotton Mill in Newton, North Carolina for two years. 1908. 10 of 27Boy at Greel’s Shoe-shining Parlor, Indianapolis, Indiana works some nights until 11 pm. 1908. 11 of 27Youngsters making bands from cotton, 1910. 12 of 27A well-to-do young man purposely kept out of school to harvest beets with this dangerous looking tool. 13 of 27Working at a canning machine with open gears, J. S. Farrand Packing Co., Baltimore Maryland. 1909. 14 of 27A widow and boy rolling papers for cigarettes in New York. 15 of 27Mother and children 11, 9, and 6 make artifical flowers. A two year old sibling is currently learning. 16 of 27Noon break for the workers at an Indianapolis furniture factory, 1908. 17 of 27A “carrying-in boy” at Canton Glass Works, Marion, Indiana. 1908. 18 of 27Another J. S. Farrand worker, packing a heavy load, 1909. 19 of 27Katie, 13, and Angeline, 11, sew irish lace in New York for $1 a week. 1912. 20 of 27Boy making melon baskets, Evansville, Indiana, 1908. 21 of 27Joe, 10, Jospehine, 14, and Camille, 7 shelling nuts in a dirty tenement home, 1910. 22 of 27The smallest pea sorter shown here at Ross’s Cannery, in Seaford, Delaware is 5 years old. 1910. 23 of 27Boy polishing marble at Vermont Marble Co., Centre Rutland, Vermont. 1910. 24 of 27Boy working with a board saw alongside veteran worker. 25 of 27Carrying “spragging irons” along an elevated track at the Bessie Mine, Alabama. 1910. 26 of 27Workers stringing beans at J. S. Farrand Packing Company in a Baltimore, Maryland, 1909. 27 of 27Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 27Child laborers in a factory. 2 of 27Girl in Cherryville Mill, Cherryville, North Carolina. 3 of 2710 year old Norma Lawrence picks 100 - 150 lbs of cotton per day in Comanche County, Oklahoma, 1916. 4 of 27Young doffers at Elk Cotton Mill, Fayetteville, Tennessee. 1910. 5 of 278 year old Jennie picks cranberries at Theodore Budd’s Bog at Turkeytown, near Pemberton, N.J. She has missed 6 weeks of school already to do this work. 6 of 27Francis Lance, 5, regularly sells newspapers on Grand Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, 1910. 7 of 27A Greek bootblack, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1908. 8 of 27Corn thrashing during school hours on a farm in Dublin, Georgia. 9 of 27The young man sitting at this cotton mill warping machine has been working at Clyde Cotton Mill in Newton, North Carolina for two years. 1908. 10 of 27Boy at Greel’s Shoe-shining Parlor, Indianapolis, Indiana works some nights until 11 pm. 1908. 11 of 27Youngsters making bands from cotton, 1910. 12 of 27A well-to-do young man purposely kept out of school to harvest beets with this dangerous looking tool. 13 of 27Working at a canning machine with open gears, J. S. Farrand Packing Co., Baltimore Maryland. 1909. 14 of 27A widow and boy rolling papers for cigarettes in New York. 15 of 27Mother and children 11, 9, and 6 make artifical flowers. A two year old sibling is currently learning. 16 of 27Noon break for the workers at an Indianapolis furniture factory, 1908. 17 of 27A “carrying-in boy” at Canton Glass Works, Marion, Indiana. 1908. 18 of 27Another J. S. Farrand worker, packing a heavy load, 1909. 19 of 27Katie, 13, and Angeline, 11, sew irish lace in New York for $1 a week. 1912. 20 of 27Boy making melon baskets, Evansville, Indiana, 1908. 21 of 27Joe, 10, Jospehine, 14, and Camille, 7 shelling nuts in a dirty tenement home, 1910. 22 of 27The smallest pea sorter shown here at Ross’s Cannery, in Seaford, Delaware is 5 years old. 1910. 23 of 27Boy polishing marble at Vermont Marble Co., Centre Rutland, Vermont. 1910. 24 of 27Boy working with a board saw alongside veteran worker. 25 of 27Carrying “spragging irons” along an elevated track at the Bessie Mine, Alabama. 1910. 26 of 27Workers stringing beans at J. S. Farrand Packing Company in a Baltimore, Maryland, 1909. 27 of 27Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 27Child laborers in a factory. 2 of 27Girl in Cherryville Mill, Cherryville, North Carolina. 3 of 2710 year old Norma Lawrence picks 100 - 150 lbs of cotton per day in Comanche County, Oklahoma, 1916. 4 of 27Young doffers at Elk Cotton Mill, Fayetteville, Tennessee. 1910. 5 of 278 year old Jennie picks cranberries at Theodore Budd’s Bog at Turkeytown, near Pemberton, N.J. She has missed 6 weeks of school already to do this work. 6 of 27Francis Lance, 5, regularly sells newspapers on Grand Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, 1910. 7 of 27A Greek bootblack, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1908. 8 of 27Corn thrashing during school hours on a farm in Dublin, Georgia. 9 of 27The young man sitting at this cotton mill warping machine has been working at Clyde Cotton Mill in Newton, North Carolina for two years. 1908. 10 of 27Boy at Greel’s Shoe-shining Parlor, Indianapolis, Indiana works some nights until 11 pm. 1908. 11 of 27Youngsters making bands from cotton, 1910. 12 of 27A well-to-do young man purposely kept out of school to harvest beets with this dangerous looking tool. 13 of 27Working at a canning machine with open gears, J. S. Farrand Packing Co., Baltimore Maryland. 1909. 14 of 27A widow and boy rolling papers for cigarettes in New York. 15 of 27Mother and children 11, 9, and 6 make artifical flowers. A two year old sibling is currently learning. 16 of 27Noon break for the workers at an Indianapolis furniture factory, 1908. 17 of 27A “carrying-in boy” at Canton Glass Works, Marion, Indiana. 1908. 18 of 27Another J. S. Farrand worker, packing a heavy load, 1909. 19 of 27Katie, 13, and Angeline, 11, sew irish lace in New York for $1 a week. 1912. 20 of 27Boy making melon baskets, Evansville, Indiana, 1908. 21 of 27Joe, 10, Jospehine, 14, and Camille, 7 shelling nuts in a dirty tenement home, 1910. 22 of 27The smallest pea sorter shown here at Ross’s Cannery, in Seaford, Delaware is 5 years old. 1910. 23 of 27Boy polishing marble at Vermont Marble Co., Centre Rutland, Vermont. 1910. 24 of 27Boy working with a board saw alongside veteran worker. 25 of 27Carrying “spragging irons” along an elevated track at the Bessie Mine, Alabama. 1910. 26 of 27Workers stringing beans at J. S. Farrand Packing Company in a Baltimore, Maryland, 1909. 27 of 27Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 27Child laborers in a factory.
2 of 27Girl in Cherryville Mill, Cherryville, North Carolina.
3 of 2710 year old Norma Lawrence picks 100 - 150 lbs of cotton per day in Comanche County, Oklahoma, 1916.
4 of 27Young doffers at Elk Cotton Mill, Fayetteville, Tennessee. 1910.
5 of 278 year old Jennie picks cranberries at Theodore Budd’s Bog at Turkeytown, near Pemberton, N.J. She has missed 6 weeks of school already to do this work.
6 of 27Francis Lance, 5, regularly sells newspapers on Grand Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, 1910.
7 of 27A Greek bootblack, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1908.
8 of 27Corn thrashing during school hours on a farm in Dublin, Georgia.
9 of 27The young man sitting at this cotton mill warping machine has been working at Clyde Cotton Mill in Newton, North Carolina for two years. 1908.
10 of 27Boy at Greel’s Shoe-shining Parlor, Indianapolis, Indiana works some nights until 11 pm. 1908.
11 of 27Youngsters making bands from cotton, 1910.
12 of 27A well-to-do young man purposely kept out of school to harvest beets with this dangerous looking tool.
13 of 27Working at a canning machine with open gears, J. S. Farrand Packing Co., Baltimore Maryland. 1909.
14 of 27A widow and boy rolling papers for cigarettes in New York.
15 of 27Mother and children 11, 9, and 6 make artifical flowers. A two year old sibling is currently learning.
16 of 27Noon break for the workers at an Indianapolis furniture factory, 1908.
17 of 27A “carrying-in boy” at Canton Glass Works, Marion, Indiana. 1908.
18 of 27Another J. S. Farrand worker, packing a heavy load, 1909.
19 of 27Katie, 13, and Angeline, 11, sew irish lace in New York for $1 a week. 1912.
20 of 27Boy making melon baskets, Evansville, Indiana, 1908.
21 of 27Joe, 10, Jospehine, 14, and Camille, 7 shelling nuts in a dirty tenement home, 1910.
22 of 27The smallest pea sorter shown here at Ross’s Cannery, in Seaford, Delaware is 5 years old. 1910.
23 of 27Boy polishing marble at Vermont Marble Co., Centre Rutland, Vermont. 1910.
24 of 27Boy working with a board saw alongside veteran worker.
25 of 27Carrying “spragging irons” along an elevated track at the Bessie Mine, Alabama. 1910.
26 of 27Workers stringing beans at J. S. Farrand Packing Company in a Baltimore, Maryland, 1909.
27 of 27Like this gallery?Share it:
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Children From Early 20th Century America Probably Worked Harder Than You View Gallery
Children From Early 20th Century America Probably Worked Harder Than You View Gallery
Children From Early 20th Century America Probably Worked Harder Than You View Gallery
Children From Early 20th Century America Probably Worked Harder Than You View Gallery
Children From Early 20th Century America Probably Worked Harder Than You
View Gallery
In the mid 19th century, an influx of immigrant populations, mass production, and urbanization changed the shape and supply of labor — and the abuses to which an employer could subject a laborer.
The official number is that by 1900, 18 percent of all American workers were under the age of 16, but in reality — and in certain parts of the country — that percentage was likely higher. These school-aged children were not going to school or playing; in many cases, they were operating heavy machinery in factories, where some would fall ill, lose limbs and even die.
For a time, labor activists such as the National Child Labor Committee attempted to apply a state by state “solution” to the problem, to no avail. When the gaps within a state-led model manifested, Congress passed laws to enact a federal child labor law, which the Supreme Court deemed unconstitutional.
Undeterred, child labor opponents sought a constitutional amendment to authorize federal child labor legislation, but a conservative political climate and fear of Federal encroachment meant that even though Congress passed it, many states failed to ratify it. Finally, in 1938 — after the Great Depression changed much in the way of how we understand labor — the Fair Labor Standards Act passed, effectively establishing that children must be 16 or older to work.
In short, childhood took decades of work to produce.
