Child Labour in the Early 20th Century

Children were drawn into the labour force throughout most of American history. However, it was not up until the early decades of the 20 century during the Industrial revolution that child labour peaked drastically. This period witnessed thousands of children being forced to forgo their education and, instead, toil long hours under impoverished conditions in various industries. Children were regarded as an asset to their employers as they were considered cheap labour, and their size and agility allowed them to maneuvre themselves through narrow parts of machines. Besides being forced to work in factories, mines, and farms, many children, some as young as five, were also recruited as messengers, newsboys, peddlers and in various other menial jobs.

An investigative photographer for the National Child Labour Committee, Lewis Wickes Hines began documenting in 1908 the inhuman conditions that American children were forced to endure in the work force. His photographs not only motivated the society to campaign against child labour but also urged lawmakers to introduce reforms for the protection of these children.

One of the spinners in Whitnel Cotton Manufacturing Company in North Carolina. When asked how old, she hesitated, then said "I don't remember." Then confidentially, "I'm not old enough to work, but I do just the same."

A young driver in a mine who drives daily from 7 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.

Children working in a glass factory at midnight

A spinner takes a glimpse of the outer world from the factory.

Leo, 48 inches high, 8 years old. Picks up bobbins at 15 cents a day in Elk Cotton Mills.

Three boys, 13 and 14 years old, pick shade-grown tobacco on Hackett farm.

Camille Carmo, Justine Carmo, seven and nine years old. The older one picks about 4 pails a day.

Manuel, the young shrimp-picker, five years old. Understands not a word of English

Child Labour in India

Global number of children in child labour have declined by one third since 2000, from 246 million to 168 million children. More than half of them, 85 million, are in hazardous work. Asia and the Pacific still have the largest number of child labourers, almost 78 million or 9.3% of child population.

12-year-old Jatindra, with his 7 year-old brother, carrying waste material of an industrial area

A boy works at a vegetable market in New Delhi

A girl walking on a rope to earn the families livelihood. The girl was found with her parents doing 'shows' and is now rescued by the police

A young girl does the household works for a family

Children working at construction sites

Young girls selling popcorn by the road

Child labourers working in an embroidery unit in Mumbai

A child serving tea in Punjab

Child labourers works at a road side food shop

53 child labourers between the age of 10 to 15 were rescued from Jarimaker workshop working at Byculla.

Questions What are the reasons for child labour? Are the reasons the same today as they were in 1900? What are the similarities and differences between child labour today and in 1900? Why were laws passed to eliminate child labour in Canada and the developed world? Why do similar laws not exist in developing countries today? What role do Canadians play in allowing child labour to continue around the world today? If we stop buying products made in counties that use child labour, what do you think the consequences of such an action would be? Do you think we will ever see a day when child labour eliminated?