Child Labor In The Progressive Era

The next group that was severely impacted by the industrialization was the children. Prior to the Revolution, children would work in their family home. Once the revolution begun, child labor become common; children worked long hours with few breaks. Children would be punished if they fell asleep, but the necessity of their wages was obvious (“Childhood” 1). Machines were thought to be the perfect size for children with small hands and fingers. Unfortunately, hands and feet would get caught, and children were easily injured. The environment in the factory was unhealthy; sickness from fumes was a norm. Grace Abbot, a Progressive Era reformer, attempted to pass the first child labor law in 1917 (“Children” 1). Congress struck down this legislation,
which did not have the people’s support, because families realized the children’s income was essential (“Bailey 585”). It took many years for Congress to pass these laws, but eventually it did. These laws prohibit child labor and made standards for the conditions children may work in once they became of age (“Childen 1”). This was not just an American phenomenon; industrialization struck Great Britain before it came to the United States, and it had the same outcome. Laws dictated when children could work and when they must go to school (Bentley 667).. Prior to the industrial revolution, all children did not go to school, but this was forever changed. The new school of thought became that children should study, so that they may join the specialized work force when they are older (Smith 1). These specialized jobs would pay more, and there would be better working conditions. Overall, the Industrial Revolution impacted the children poorly in the short term, but the long term effects were positive; regardless, children’s role in their family was changed forever.