Child Labor - Human Rights
Child labor did not start during the Industrial Revolution. Around the world, many small children worked as soon as their parents or guardians could find employment for them. But the development of factories during the Industrial Revolution created an explosion of the use of child labor. Children as young as four years old went to work in the factories. Children as young as three years old worked, unpaid, as helpers.
At first, children were used to crawl under machines, machines that were often operating, to clear dust and dirt to keep the machines running smoothly. As the industrial revolution continued, and the price and sale of manufactured goods produced by the factories became more competitive, more and more children were put to work in the factories, in more and more dangerous job. It was much cheaper to hire a child, than an adult, and there were no or few laws to prevent this. Little regard was given to a child's health or safety.
Child labor was not limited to the factories. The mines and the mills employed children in all sorts of capacities. Kids worked as messengers and chimney sweeps.
All children working as child labor suffered the same disadvantages. They were poorly paid, worked long hours, were assigned work that was dangerous and dirty and unhealthy. They were infected with illness and disease due to unsafe working conditions. They could be beaten if they were late or were slow. They had no time for school after working 12 to 18 hour days. There were many accidents. Kids were crushed and maimed and died. Laws were desperately needed to control the abuse of child labor.
Laws did come. England was first. America, and other countries followed. By the late 1800s, over 1,000 laws had been passed to limit how old a child had to be to work in various occupations, and limited how many hours a child could spend working. It was better, but it took a long time before conditions really improved.
Today, there are still many places in the world where children are suffering from abusive practices of child labor in spite of laws that were put in place by the governments of these same places to protect the children. The question is, what can we do about it? Here are some ways you can help: Ways you can help stop abusive child labor.
For Kids
Handout: Child Labor During the Industrial Revolution
Child Labor Pictures - Factories early 1900's
For Teachers
Lesson, Activity, with 10 Handouts: What kinds of work and working conditions are acceptable?
Child Labor Activity - What you can do to help stop abusive child labor
Child Labor - Giving Voice to a Child (Read, Think, Write lesson)
Lesson Plan- Child Labor in the Carolinas
Child Labor (EdSitement, lesson)
Human Rights - Child Labor (great classroom discussion questions)
Child Labor Photographs (free for homework or classroom use)