Thesis

While the Progressives were successful to a moderate extent in their implementation of statutes for Child Labor Reform, social normalization of child labor as a source of income for poor families, operation of big businesses on the backs of a cheap labor force, and legislation which countered and nullified previous ordinances, exploitation of children continued, but to a lesser extreme. Thus, while the Progressives were successful in minimizing child labor and bolstering labor reform, inequities of the past as we as contemporary systems dulled the effect of the full eradication of child labor and child exploitation.

Legislations/Amendments

Seeking to resolve the unfair labor conditions, a number of statutes and legislations were proposed, some successful, others not...

• Fair Labor Standards Act (1938)- Established minimum working ages (14 for limited jobs, 16 for general work, and 18 for hazardous work).

• Keating-Owen Act (1916)- Prohibited the interstate sale of goods produced by factories employing children under 14, mines under 16, and businesses exceeding child work hours.

• Child Labor Tax Law (1919)- Imposed a 10% tax on businesses employing children underage limits.

Making a Connection

The movements of major anti-child-labor Antebellum reforms were heavily influenced by people who spoke up about the misuse and abuse of children throughout the rapid industrialization during the early 1900s. These reformers saw child labor as unjust and unethical, putting children in a dangerous working environment, as well as subjugating them to the worker neglect was viewed as completely unconstitutional. Because of this, they wanted to have child labor outlawed, and in order to do this they brought it to the public's attention through media and aggressive protests. In general, this spread of information and protests against child labor eventually in 1938 within the Fair Labor Standards Act.