Child Labor In The Gilded Age

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The “Gilded Age” was a time between the Civil War and World War I. It was also a time of economic growth (Dictionary). During this time new discoveries were made, new technologies and products. It was the beginning of industrialization. With new discoveries of technology and products that led to a better life for the middle class and a jump in the economic success. The pictures showing child labor represents a flaw in the American economy. In the 20th century, child labor seemed to be the main focus. Most of the pictures were pictures of child labor. All three of the pictures from Lewis Hine given were pictures of child labor. The first picture was of a child which looks to be giving out newspapers. The second picture was of two young boys working in a factory, working …show more content…
The last picture, was of a young girl who was looking out of a window from inside of the factory (Flickr). In Jacob Riis pictures his pictures were more of the towns condition and the adults working in the factory. With that being said, I believe Lewis Hine represents a greater flaw in the American capitalist economy of the "Gilded Age" (Virginia). They had children under the age of sixteen doing adult women and men jobs with low pay. That caused the children who were working to receive little to no education. They worked on farms, factories, urban areas, or even in at home workshops (History). All of the jobs were not easy for adults, much less for kids. People preferred kids over adults because it meant less pay, they were young and so they could be easily controlled. When the children was working, they were treated very poorly. They made low wages but had long hours. It was common for a child in the 20th century