Child labor was widely practiced until a photographer showed the public what it looked like.
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The 1900 US Federal Census revealed that 1.75 million children under the age of 16, more than one in five, were gainfully employed. They worked all over the country in cotton mills, glass blowing factories, sardine canneries, farms, and even coal mines. In an effort to expose this exploitation of children, the National Child Labor Committee hired a photographer to travel around the country and investigate and report on the labor conditions of children.
Lewis Wickes Hine photographed and interviewed kids, some as young as 4 years old, and published his findings in various Progressive magazines and newspapers. Once the public saw the plight of these children, state legislatures were pressured to pass bills regulating labor for workers under the age of 18, effectively bringing an end to child labor in the United States.
See the entire collection of Lewis Hine’s photos for the National Child Labor Committee here:
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38 responses to “These photos ended child labor in the US”
You can watch all of our existing episodes of Darkroom in one playlist here: http://bit.ly/321DvzO
What historic photos or events would you want to see covered in the future?
after watching this, and in consideration of the past 96 hrs in the US…Im left wondering if the same social photography (or some version therof) could effectively be used to turn the tide of public opinion about gun policy.
These weren't kids these were men of renown. People that live off making Tik tok videos are kids.
Anyone notice that the first photo is the cover of the book Lyddie?
All these people would weep at what Americans have become. A bunch lazy mouth breathers that want to do nothing for more.
This is back when people had grit. Children have always worked…. And worked hard. Before the industrial revolution, children worked on the farm. The problem wasn't with children working but working in an industrial environments. I don't think exploiting children in any form is right, but compare the children of the industrial era or other eras prior to the late 50s on (depending on region) and you see how or society has progressively crumbled upon the backs of weak and selfish individuals because of the way we are raising our children. This fact is oh to obvious with the youth of today… the snowflakes.
Fast forward to today… Most young people are completely spoiled and sheltered in their teenage years, can't get hired because they had no work ethic before 18 whatsoever, live with their parents in their mid 20's, and are completely useless to society. Reap what you sow.
They should go after Mexico.
my history teacher played this video in class, i was proud that i already knew about this channel <3
my history teacher played this video in class, i was proud that i already knew about this channel <3
Thank you so much for breaking down the technique that carried the narrative through to the audience.
This has been carried over in modern day Corporations and minimum wages, that target teens and adults.
Uhhh nope, child labour is still legal in US but only in farms 🙄
The entertainment industry still allow child labor in the US
Children miners are now called minors
Chill out guys this is common
as a nicaraguan, it's frustrating to still see so many children working since a young age:(
Child Labor needs to come back.
why isnt this a movie yet
I was forced to work as a kid in the newspaper industry in Oregon
More people should spread pictures of homeless people sleeping out in the streets during the winter. For some strange reason, the homeless shelters refuse to let them stay indoors during the daytime. It's inhumane to treat people this way.
this is what happens if the wealthy are allowed to act with impunity
Unless you work in Hollywood
I really don’t trust non of what they tell us.
They really tried to have kids run the world.
We need to bring child labor back. Would get rid of all the entitled teens and young adult who live at home with their parents until they are in their 30s who's only job they might have ever worked is at a fast food restaurant if they even had a single job since their parents pay for everything.
Now MeriKKKa is bringing child labor back
Why don't they teach this in school .. American slavery has been a thing since the beginning of this country.
Child labor still exists, it's called school.
There nothing wrong with Child Labor!
The good old days
…really? Businesses were rampant on child labor? You can look at census data and see that child labor participation mostly declined to less than 1% of the total labor force by the 1930s. In the late 1800s it was barely 7%. There was an ongoing decline well before any legislation was introduced to magically waive away the issue of child labor.
Perhaps it was rising wages and technological progress that made workplaces more productive and safer? These photos surely are amazing but it's a stretch to say they did anything to affect labor conditions for anyone.
Funny how USA always gets on China about child labor yet they had it before them lol
idk why Americans are so proud of their country…
And most of kids today complain what they got..
ended child labor in the us just to force children in other countries to make our stuff all while spouting off about human rights. sickening
Thanks for your work Vox, really appreciate it!
Oh wait these just changed em to allow the young to work longer again
Right after slavery Smh