Child Labor in Progressive Era America — Reading Comprehension

During the Progressive Era, which lasted from the 1890s to the 1920s, child labor became a major national issue in the United States. Many children, some as young as eight years old, worked long hours in factories, mines, and mills. Industrialization increased the demand for cheap labor, and employers saw children as a source of inexpensive and manageable workers. This practice raised serious ethical concerns and led to fierce debates in American society.

Children worked for several reasons. For many poor families, wages earned by children were essential for survival. Factory owners believed children could perform tasks adults could not, such as fixing small machines or crawling into tight spaces. However, reformers, like Lewis Hine, used photography to expose the dangerous and unhealthy conditions faced by these young workers. Hine’s photographs became powerful evidence, persuading the public to demand change.

Conditions in the workplace were harsh and often unsafe. Children worked up to twelve hours per day, sometimes overnight, and faced risks such as accidents with machinery, exposure to toxic substances, and extreme fatigue. The National Child Labor Committee, founded in 1904, gathered evidence and lobbied for new legislation to protect children. In a 1906 report, the committee stated, "No industry...should require the labor of little children whose place is in the schoolroom, not in the factory." This quote highlights the growing belief that education, rather than labor, was crucial for children’s development.

Opposition to child labor reforms came from business owners and some parents. Factory managers argued that new laws would hurt the economy by increasing costs and reducing productivity. Some parents, struggling with poverty, feared losing their children’s wages. These conflicting interests created significant obstacles for reformers. The debate revealed the complex relationship between social justice, economic necessity, and the rights of children.

Progressives believed that government had a responsibility to protect vulnerable citizens, including children. They pushed for state and federal regulation of child labor. Several states passed laws setting minimum working ages and limiting hours, but enforcement was weak. The first federal law, the Keating-Owen Act of 1916, attempted to ban the sale of products made by child labor across state lines. However, the Supreme Court declared the law unconstitutional in 1918, slowing progress.

Despite setbacks, reformers persisted. The movement gained support from labor unions, teachers, and women’s groups. Over time, public opinion shifted, and more Americans agreed that child labor was harmful. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 finally established national protections for young workers, setting minimum ages and hours for employment.

The history of child labor in Progressive Era America demonstrates the power of activism and public debate. It also reveals that social change is rarely simple. Different groups had different priorities, and solutions required compromise and persistent effort.

Interesting Fact: In 1900, nearly 1 in 5 American children under age 16 worked for wages.

What era saw major child labor reform?

Who exposed child labor conditions with photos?

What 1916 act banned child labor products?

Why did factory owners want child workers?

What was a common argument against reform?

What did the 1906 report urge?

The Keating-Owen Act was ruled constitutional.

What does 'legislation' mean?