Child Labor during the Industrial Revolution

Overview

• Child labor intensified during the Industrial Revolution.
• Children worked long hours in hazardous conditions for minimal pay.
• Reasons for employing children:
  • Small size allowed work in confined spaces.
  • Easier to manage and control.
  • Paid less than adults.
• Many children worked to support their families, sacrificing education.

Reform Efforts

• 19th-century reformers and labor organizers aimed to reduce child labor and improve conditions.
• Public opinion shifted significantly during the Great Depression as adults needed jobs.

Case Studies of Child Labor

Textile Mills

• Children as young as 12, like Furman Owens, couldn't read due to working long hours.
• Girls and boys worked in mills like Bibb Manufacturing, Whitnell Cotton Mill, and Rhodes Manufacturing Company.
• Jobs included spinners and doffers; involved replacing bobbins and sweeping lint.

Newsboys

• Young boys, sometimes as young as 8, sold newspapers late at night, often encountering dangerous situations.
• Examples include Tony Casale from Hartford, CT, and newsboys in St. Louis, MO.

Mining

• Young boys worked in coal mines, exposed to hazardous dust and physically demanding tasks.
• Examples include Joe Puma in South Pittston, PA, and breaker boys from Hustown Borough, PA.

Canning and Fishing Industries

• Children worked in oyster and shrimp canneries, often in dangerous and unsanitary conditions.
• Children used sharp knives in sardine canneries, increasing risk of injury.
• Examples include Manuel, a young shrimp picker in Biloxi, MS, and Hiram Polk in Eastport, ME.

Agriculture

• Children participated in labor-intensive agricultural tasks like beet topping and berry picking.
• Families relied on children's contributions for income.

Other Industries

• Child labor was prevalent in industries like glassworks, cigar making, and garment manufacturing.
• Children were involved in packing, manufacturing, and garment sewing.

Social and Health Impacts

• Many children were injured or faced health issues due to working conditions.
• Educational opportunities were limited, affecting future prospects.

Descriptions of Specific Cases

• Various individual stories highlight the harsh realities and diverse settings of child labor.
• From mills to street vending, children were commonly seen in labor roles to support families.

Conclusion

• Child labor during this period was widespread and varied across different industries.
• Reform and public opinion shifts were necessary to eventually reduce child labor practices.