All Work, No Play; Children In The Work Force
By Ryan Keough
The National Child Labor Committee, a committee formed to eliminate child labor, has led the way to titanic political action by persuading the public to reduce child labor. This was created in New York City when the public was exposed to the life of children working in factories. This inspired them to build this society.
Even though the laborious activities of the National Child Labor Committee are influential to some, the main course for success depends on the political climate for the United States of America and the production of manufactured goods usually created by children. More are more committees are being founded, making the child labor laws more restrictive and strict. For children, this was a sign of a new, welcoming life. In addition, Congress is planning to pass a law in 1916 that states child labor unconstitutional.
For most immigrants, the tenements and factories are said not the ideal place to live and work. For example, a girl at her tenement house said, “My mama told me that this would be fun. That is not true.” This was the remark she said before a long hacking of coughs caused by the dusty air interrupted the interview. A boy was interviewed at his textile factory. He said, “I am completely alone, without family. I have learned not to say what I want to say, unless I want to lose my paycheck.” Most children that are laboring are from their parents not making enough money to support their own family. Even though tenements are a cheap opportunity to shelter, some cannot afford such an expense. Children everywhere are looking for a change in their own lives.
Child Labor: Not Worth Saving the Extra Cent
Ryan Keough
Although this is a fair point, low wages can be extremely harmful to the economy because everyone’s wages are reduced. Since children are taking the jobs at lower wages, adult workers must agree to accept lower wages in order to stay employed. For example, children are hired to work in the factory for the same amount of money as one adult, the adult must only be able to keep his job by lowering his wages. If the wages are lowered, the adult gets the job, but loses a substantial amount of their wages because of the child. This cycle continues until the children are dominating the industrial business with low wages while the adults are losing their jobs if they do not accept lower wages from their boss. For children, child labor is not beneficial because they are denied an education, but this also harms the U.S. in the end. If children are not educated properly, then that generation will not be innovative and will slow down the country’s progress. This is bad for the economy for today but especially in the future. The poor working conditions in the factories and mines are harmful to anyone who stays there long enough. Children are working in dangerous places like coal dust filled mines, lint-filled factories, and smoky machinery rooms. This could lead to lung diseases and possible death. In addition, the machines have injured many children working in factories. In total, the number of child deaths is twice the amount of adult deaths at industrial facilities.
The solution to the problem is to abolish child labor. If child labor is abolished, adults get their jobs back for more money, and can buy more things, stimulating the economy. If the economy is thriving, then the jobs open up and more people can take them. This cycle may hurt the economy in the beginning, but in the end, the United States of America will be one of the most successful countries in the world. Furthermore, if child labor is abolished, then children can pursue an education, giving them a good job when they are older. How can America justify child labor when it clearly is detrimental?