New York State Test Prep Social Studies 5 (Grade 4) Urbanization: economic, political, and social impacts

Young newsie working, pat Children cotton pickers

Child labor* laws made it against the law for children to work full-time jobs on farms, in factories, or in businesses. There were laws protecting children in some states as early as the 1830’s. These laws were often overlooked however, or ignored all together.

After the census of 1900, social reformers* were able to convince lawmakers to make new laws and enforce those that were already in place. The 1900 census reported that 1 child in every 5 between the ages of 10 and 15 was employed as a full time laborer*. The 1900 census helped reformers in their fight for change. By 1904, a committee was formed to help end the practice of child labor in the United States. It was known as the National Child Labor Committee.

Factory inspectors had the job of enforcing child labor laws that kept children out of factories. These laws were often ignored. Sometimes working children were hidden during inspections. Employers and parents frequently told their children to lie about their ages so they could continue working to earn money and not have to attend school.

Education reform was also taking place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Laws requiring all children to attend school through the elementary grades were passed by each state in the late 1800's and early 1900's. It was the job of attendance officers to keep children in school and out of work.

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During the early 20th century, reformers such as photographer Lewis Hine, helped to improve conditions for children. Hine took pictures of children working on the streets and in factories and fields during the early 1900’s. These photographs told a story and proved that there were still children working under dreadful conditions in both urban* and rural* areas throughout the United States. Hine believed that the children were not being protected under the laws that were in existence. Many states agreed with reformers like Hine and began passing new labor and education laws to help children.

*reform: to make changes to make things better
*social: the well being of people in a community
*reformers: those who wanted to make changes to make things better
*labor: work
*laborer: hired worker
*rural: countryside or in the country

*urban: city or big city area

Photographs by Lewis W. Hine)