Http://.

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/childlabor/index.html

About Lewis HineAbout Lewis Hine

Photographer Lewis W. HinePhotographer Lewis W. Hine (1874-1940) (1874-1940) took up photography as a means of took up photography as a means of expressing his social concerns. expressing his social concerns.

Best known for his Best known for his investigative photography investigative photography against the exploitation of American childrenagainst the exploitation of American children. .

From 1908 to 1912, Hine photographed From 1908 to 1912, Hine photographed children children as young as three years old as young as three years old working working for for long hourslong hours, often under , often under dangerous dangerous conditionsconditions across America across America

Child Labor in AmericaChild Labor in America Popular belief that Popular belief that childrenchildren from poor families from poor families

benefitedbenefited from work from work Child labor on the farmChild labor on the farm was was commoncommon, , Companies often hired the entire family, Companies often hired the entire family,

provided company-owned houses, and sold provided company-owned houses, and sold overpriced goods at the company store. overpriced goods at the company store.

Local Local child labor lawschild labor laws were often were often ignoredignored. . Often laws Often laws did not apply to immigrantsdid not apply to immigrants, thus , thus

they were often exploited and wound up living they were often exploited and wound up living in slums working long hours for little pay. in slums working long hours for little pay.

Child Labor in AmericaChild Labor in America In In 1904, the National Child Labor Committee was 1904, the National Child Labor Committee was

organizedorganized Between 1908-1912 Lewis Hine documented children Between 1908-1912 Lewis Hine documented children

workersworkers Hine's photographs created widespread publicityHine's photographs created widespread publicity. As a . As a

result, many states passed stricter laws banning the result, many states passed stricter laws banning the employment of underage childrenemployment of underage children

In In 1938, Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards 1938, Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards ActAct, better known as the Federal Wage and Hour Law. , better known as the Federal Wage and Hour Law. The Act was declared constitutional in 1941 by the The Act was declared constitutional in 1941 by the U.S. Supreme Court. U.S. Supreme Court.

The Act set a work week of 40 hours, with a The Act set a work week of 40 hours, with a minimum minimum wagewage of 40 cents per hour. It of 40 cents per hour. It prohibited child labor prohibited child labor under age 16under age 16 while allowing minors 16 and over to while allowing minors 16 and over to work in non-hazardous occupations. work in non-hazardous occupations.

Child Labor TodayChild Labor Today

The International Labor Office estimates The International Labor Office estimates 250 250 million children between the ages 5-14million children between the ages 5-14 work in work in developing countries developing countries

Over Over 120 million children work full time120 million children work full time in in various jobs often under hazardous conditions various jobs often under hazardous conditions amid crude living conditions. amid crude living conditions.

A A surplus of unskilled workers and low wagessurplus of unskilled workers and low wages have combined to create conditions for children have combined to create conditions for children similar to the worst features of factories, mines similar to the worst features of factories, mines and mills from the 1800s with minimal chances and mills from the 1800s with minimal chances for education and future happiness. for education and future happiness.

Faces of Lost Youth Faces of Lost Youth Furman Owens, 12 Furman Owens, 12

years old. Can't read. years old. Can't read. Doesn't know his Doesn't know his A,B,C's. Said, "Yes I A,B,C's. Said, "Yes I want to learn but want to learn but can't when I work all can't when I work all the time." Been in the time." Been in the mills 4 years, 3 the mills 4 years, 3 years in the Olympia years in the Olympia Mill. Columbia, S.C. Mill. Columbia, S.C.

Faces of Lost YouthFaces of Lost Youth

Adolescent girls from Bibb Mfg. Co. in Macon, Georgia.

Faces of Lost YouthFaces of Lost Youth

Doffer boys. Macon, Georgia.

The Mill The Mill

A general view of spinning room, Cornell Mill. A general view of spinning room, Cornell Mill. Fall River, Mass. Fall River, Mass.

The Mill The Mill

A moments glimpse of the outer world. Said she was 11 years old. Been working over a year. Rhodes Mfg. Co. Lincolnton, N.C.

The Mill The Mill

Some boys and girls were so small they had to climb up on to the spinning frame to mend broken threads and to put back the empty bobbins. Bibb Mill No. 1. Macon, Ga.

The MillThe Mill

One of the spinners in Whitnel Cotton Mill. She was 51 inches high. Has been One of the spinners in Whitnel Cotton Mill. She was 51 inches high. Has been in the mill one year. Sometimes works at night. Runs 4 sides - 48 cents a day. in the mill one year. Sometimes works at night. Runs 4 sides - 48 cents a day. When asked how old she was, she hesitated, then said, "I don't remember," When asked how old she was, she hesitated, then said, "I don't remember," then added confidentially, "I'm not old enough to work, but do just the same." then added confidentially, "I'm not old enough to work, but do just the same." Out of 50 employees, there were ten children about her size. Whitnel, N.C. Out of 50 employees, there were ten children about her size. Whitnel, N.C.

The MillThe Mill

The overseer said apologetically, "She just happened in." She was working steadily. The mills seem full of youngsters who "just happened in" or "are helping sister." Newberry, S.C.

The MillThe Mill

Jo Bodeon, a Jo Bodeon, a back-roper in back-roper in the mule the mule room at room at Chace Chace Cotton Mill. Cotton Mill. Burlington, Burlington, Vt. Vt.

The FactoryThe Factory

Willie, a Willie, a Polish boy, Polish boy, taking his taking his noon rest in noon rest in a doffer box a doffer box at the at the Quidwick Quidwick Co. Mill. Co. Mill. Anthony, Anthony, R.I. R.I.

NewsiesNewsies

A small newsie downtown on a A small newsie downtown on a Saturday afternoon. St. Louis, Mo. Saturday afternoon. St. Louis, Mo.

NewsiesNewsies

A group of A group of newsies selling newsies selling on Capitol on Capitol steps. Tony, steps. Tony, age 8, Dan, 9, age 8, Dan, 9, Joseph, 10, Joseph, 10, and John, age and John, age 11. 11. Washington, Washington, D.C. D.C.

Newsies Newsies

Tony Casale, age 11, Tony Casale, age 11, been selling 4 years. been selling 4 years. Sells sometimes until Sells sometimes until 10 p.m. His paper told 10 p.m. His paper told me the boy had shown me the boy had shown him the marks on his him the marks on his arm where his father arm where his father had bitten him for not had bitten him for not selling more papers. He selling more papers. He (the boy) said, "Drunken (the boy) said, "Drunken men say bad words to men say bad words to

us." Hartford, Conn.us." Hartford, Conn.

NewsiesNewsies

Out after midnight selling extras. There were many Out after midnight selling extras. There were many young boys selling very late. Youngest boy in the young boys selling very late. Youngest boy in the group is 9 years old. Harry, age 11, Eugene and group is 9 years old. Harry, age 11, Eugene and the rest were a little older. Washington, D.C. the rest were a little older. Washington, D.C.

NewsiesNewsies

Michael McNelis, age Michael McNelis, age 8, a newsboy [with 8, a newsboy [with photographer Hine]. photographer Hine]. This boy has just This boy has just recovered from his recovered from his second attack of second attack of pneumonia. Was found pneumonia. Was found selling papers in a big selling papers in a big rain storm. rain storm. Philadelphia, Pa. Philadelphia, Pa.

NewsiesNewsies

Francis Lance, 5 years old, 41 inches high. Francis Lance, 5 years old, 41 inches high. He jumps on and off moving trolley cars at He jumps on and off moving trolley cars at the risk of his life. St. Louis, Mo. the risk of his life. St. Louis, Mo.

MinersMiners

At the close of day. Waiting for the cage to go up. The cage is entirely open on two sides and not very well protected on the other two, and is usually crowded like this. The small boy in front is Jo Puma. S. Pittston, Pa.

MinersMiners

View of the Ewen Breaker of the Pa. Coal Co. The dust was so dense at times as to obscure the view. This dust penetrated the utmost recesses of the boys' lungs. A kind of slave-driver sometimes stands over the boys, prodding or kicking them into obedience. S. Pittston, Pa.

MinersMiners

MinersMiners

Breaker boys, Hughestown Borough Pa. Coal Co. One of these is James Leonard, another is Stanley Rasmus. Pittston, Pa.

MinersMiners

A young driver in the A young driver in the Brown mine. Has Brown mine. Has been driving one been driving one year. Works 7 a.m. year. Works 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Brown W. Va. Brown W. Va.

MinersMiners

Breaker boys. Smallest is Angelo Ross. Pittston, Pa.

The FactoryThe Factory9 p.m. in an Indiana Glass Works. 9 p.m. in an Indiana Glass Works.



Young cigar makers Young cigar makers in Engelhardt & in Engelhardt & Co. Three boys Co. Three boys looked under 14. looked under 14. Labor leaders told Labor leaders told me in busy times me in busy times many small boys many small boys and girls were and girls were employed. employed. Youngsters all Youngsters all smoke. Tampa, smoke. Tampa, Fla. Fla.

The FactoryThe FactoryBoys in the packing room at the Brown Mfg. Boys in the packing room at the Brown Mfg.

Co. Evansville, Ind. Co. Evansville, Ind.

The FactoryThe FactoryDay scene. Wheaton Glass Works. Boy is Howard Lee. His mother showed me the family record in Bible which gave his birth as July 15, 1894. 15 years old now, but has been in glass works two years and some nights. Millville, N.J.


Rob Kidd, Rob Kidd, one of the one of the young young workers in workers in a glass a glass factory. factory. Alexandria, Alexandria, Va. Va.


A boy making melon baskets in a basket factory. Evansville, Ind.

Seafood WorkersSeafood Workers

Oyster shuckers working in a canning factory. All but the Oyster shuckers working in a canning factory. All but the very smallest babies work. Began work at 3:30 a.m. and very smallest babies work. Began work at 3:30 a.m. and expected to work until 5 p.m. The little girl in the center was expected to work until 5 p.m. The little girl in the center was working. Her mother said she is "a real help to me." Dunbar, working. Her mother said she is "a real help to me." Dunbar, La. La.


Shrimp pickers, including little 8 year old Shrimp pickers, including little 8 year old Max on the right. Biloxi, Miss. Max on the right. Biloxi, Miss.


Johnnie, a nine year old oyster shucker. Man with pipe Johnnie, a nine year old oyster shucker. Man with pipe behind him is a padrone who has brought these people behind him is a padrone who has brought these people from Baltimore for four years. He is the boss of the from Baltimore for four years. He is the boss of the shucking shed. Dunbar, La. shucking shed. Dunbar, La.


Manuel the young shrimp picker, age 5, and a mountain of child labor oyster shells behind him. He worked last year. Understands not a word of English. Biloxi, Miss.

Seafood WorkersSeafood WorkersCutting fish in a sardine Cutting fish in a sardine

cannery. Large sharp cannery. Large sharp knives are used with knives are used with a cutting and a cutting and sometimes chopping sometimes chopping motion. The slippery motion. The slippery floors and benches floors and benches and careless bumping and careless bumping into each other into each other increase the liability increase the liability of accidents. "The salt of accidents. "The salt water gits into the water gits into the cuts and they ache," cuts and they ache," said one boy. said one boy. Eastport, Me.Eastport, Me.


Hiram Pulk, age Hiram Pulk, age 9, working in a 9, working in a canning canning company. "I ain't company. "I ain't very fast only very fast only about 5 boxes a about 5 boxes a day. They pay day. They pay about 5 cents a about 5 cents a box," he said. box," he said. Eastport, Me. Eastport, Me.

Fruit PickersFruit Pickers

A berry field on A berry field on Rock Creek. Rock Creek. Whites and Whites and blacks, old and blacks, old and young, work young, work here from 4:30 here from 4:30 a.m. to sunset a.m. to sunset some days. A some days. A long hot day. long hot day. Rock Creek, Md. Rock Creek, Md.


Camille Carmo, age 7, and Justine, Camille Carmo, age 7, and Justine, age 9. The older girl picks about 4 age 9. The older girl picks about 4 pails a day. Rochester, Mass. pails a day. Rochester, Mass.


Norris Luvitt. Been picking 3 years in berry Norris Luvitt. Been picking 3 years in berry fields near Baltimore. fields near Baltimore.

Little Salesmen Little Salesmen After 9 p.m., 7 year old After 9 p.m., 7 year old

Tommie Nooman Tommie Nooman demonstrating the demonstrating the advantages of the Ideal advantages of the Ideal Necktie Form in a store Necktie Form in a store window on Pennsylvania window on Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C. Ave. in Washington, D.C. His father said, "He is the His father said, "He is the youngest demonstrator in youngest demonstrator in America. Has been doing America. Has been doing it for several years from it for several years from San Francisco, to New San Francisco, to New York. We stay a month or York. We stay a month or six weeks in a place. He six weeks in a place. He works at it off and on." works at it off and on." Remarks from the by-Remarks from the by-standers were not having standers were not having the best effect on the best effect on Tommie. Tommie.

Little SalesmenLittle Salesmen Joseph Severio, Joseph Severio,

peanut vender, age 11 peanut vender, age 11 [seen with [seen with photographer Hine]. photographer Hine]. Been pushing a cart 2 Been pushing a cart 2 years. Out after years. Out after midnight on May 21, midnight on May 21, 1910. Ordinarily works 1910. Ordinarily works 6 hours per day. 6 hours per day. Works of his own Works of his own volution. All earnings volution. All earnings go to his father. go to his father. Wilmington, Del. Wilmington, Del.

Little SalesmenLittle Salesmen

A young candy seller in Boston, Mass. A young candy seller in Boston, Mass.

A Variety of JobsA Variety of Jobs

A Bowery A Bowery bootblack in bootblack in New York. New York.


George Christopher, Postal Telegraph, age 14. George Christopher, Postal Telegraph, age 14. Been at it over 3 years. Does not work nights. Been at it over 3 years. Does not work nights. Nashville, Tenn. Nashville, Tenn.



A boy carrying hats in New York City. A boy carrying hats in New York City.


Young boys Young boys working for working for Hickok Lumber Hickok Lumber Co. Burlington, Co. Burlington, Vt. Vt.


Three young boys with shovels standing in Three young boys with shovels standing in doorway of a Fort Worth & Denver train doorway of a Fort Worth & Denver train car. car.

Struggling Families Struggling Families Mrs. Battaglia with Mrs. Battaglia with

Tessie, age 12, and Tessie, age 12, and Tony, age 7. Mrs. Tony, age 7. Mrs. Battaglia works in a Battaglia works in a garment shop except garment shop except on Saturdays, when on Saturdays, when the children sew with the children sew with her at home. Get 2 or her at home. Get 2 or 3 cents a pair finishing 3 cents a pair finishing men's pants. Said they men's pants. Said they earn $1 to $1.50 on earn $1 to $1.50 on Saturday. Father Saturday. Father disabled and can earn disabled and can earn very little. New York very little. New York City. City.

Struggling Families Struggling Families A Jewish family and A Jewish family and

neighbors working neighbors working until late at night until late at night sewing garters. This sewing garters. This happens several happens several nights a week when nights a week when there is plenty of work. there is plenty of work. The youngest work The youngest work until 9 p.m. The others until 9 p.m. The others until 11 p.m. or later. until 11 p.m. or later. On the left is Mary, On the left is Mary, age 7, and 10 year old age 7, and 10 year old Sam, and next to the Sam, and next to the mother is a 12 year mother is a 12 year old boy. On the right old boy. On the right are Sarah, age 7, next are Sarah, age 7, next is her 11 year old is her 11 year old sister, 13 year old sister, 13 year old brother. Father is out brother. Father is out of work and also helps of work and also helps make garters. New make garters. New York City. York City.

Struggling Families Struggling Families

Picking nuts in dirty basement. The dirtiest imaginable Picking nuts in dirty basement. The dirtiest imaginable children were pawing over the nuts eating lunch on the children were pawing over the nuts eating lunch on the table. Mother had a cold and blew her nose frequently table. Mother had a cold and blew her nose frequently (without washing her hands) and the dirty handkerchiefs (without washing her hands) and the dirty handkerchiefs reposed comfortably on table close to the nuts and nut reposed comfortably on table close to the nuts and nut meats. The father picks now. New York City. meats. The father picks now. New York City.

Group PortraitsGroup Portraits Children on the night shift going to Children on the night shift going to

work at 6 p.m. on a cold, dark work at 6 p.m. on a cold, dark December day. They do not come December day. They do not come out again until 6 a.m. When they out again until 6 a.m. When they went home the next morning they went home the next morning they were all drenched by a heavy, were all drenched by a heavy, cold rain and had few or no wraps. cold rain and had few or no wraps. Two of the smaller girls with three Two of the smaller girls with three other sisters work on the night other sisters work on the night shift and support a big, lazy father shift and support a big, lazy father who complains he is not well who complains he is not well enough to work. He loafs around enough to work. He loafs around the country store. The oldest three the country store. The oldest three of these sisters have been in the of these sisters have been in the mill for 7 years, and the two mill for 7 years, and the two youngest, two years. The latter youngest, two years. The latter earns 84 cents a night. Whitnel, earns 84 cents a night. Whitnel, N.C. N.C.

Group PortraitsGroup Portraits

Some of the workers in the Farrand Some of the workers in the Farrand Packing Co. Baltimore, Md. Packing Co. Baltimore, Md.

Group PortraitsGroup Portraits

At 5 p.m., boys At 5 p.m., boys going home going home from Monougal from Monougal Glass Works. Glass Works. One boy One boy remarked, "De remarked, "De place is lousey place is lousey wid kids." wid kids." Fairmont, W. Fairmont, W. Va. Va.

Group PortraitsGroup Portraits Fish cutters at a Canning Co in Fish cutters at a Canning Co in

Maine. Ages range from 7 to 12. Maine. Ages range from 7 to 12. They live near the factory. The 7 They live near the factory. The 7 year old boy in front, Byron year old boy in front, Byron Hamilton, has a badly cut finger but Hamilton, has a badly cut finger but helps his brother regularly. Behind helps his brother regularly. Behind him is his brother George, age 11, him is his brother George, age 11, who cut his finger half off while who cut his finger half off while working. Ralph, on the left, displays working. Ralph, on the left, displays his knife and also a badly cut his knife and also a badly cut finger. They and many youngsters finger. They and many youngsters said they were always cutting said they were always cutting themselves. George earns a $1 themselves. George earns a $1 some days usually 75 cents. Some some days usually 75 cents. Some of the others say they earn a $1 of the others say they earn a $1 when they work all day. At times when they work all day. At times they start at 7 a.m. and work all they start at 7 a.m. and work all day until midnight. day until midnight.

SourceSource

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/childlabor/index.htmlchildlabor/index.html

Honduras today Honduras today

Bolivia Bolivia

IndiaIndia

GuatemalaGuatemala

Http://.

Documents

america slide

work child labor

children similar

local child labor laws

national child labor

years old working

work week

fair labor standards