Lewis Hine And Child Labor

Lewis Hine was a photographer who documented child labor in the early 20th century. His photographs shed light on the harsh working conditions that children were subjected to, leading to public awareness and eventually, changes in child labor laws. As a result, American children today have more educational opportunities because they are protected by these laws and are not forced to work at a young age. Therefore, the statement that American children today have many more educational opportunities than they did before Lewis Hine began taking photographs is true.

During the industrial boom of the late 1800s and early 1900s, employers hired children because they could pay them less money than adults. Children were seen as a cheap source of labor, as they were willing to work for lower wages compared to adult workers. This allowed employers to save on labor costs and maximize their profits.

Lewis Hine, despite dying in poverty, is regarded as a master photographer who devoted his life to child labor reform. His extensive collection of photographs can be accessed at the Library of Congress, and he is often credited with influencing the government to take on the role of safeguarding the rights of American children. This statement is true as it accurately reflects Hine's contributions and the recognition he has received for his work in child labor reform.

Child labor laws may exist in every country, but that does not mean that child labor is not a problem anymore. The existence of laws does not guarantee their enforcement or effectiveness. Child labor continues to be a global issue, with millions of children being forced into work in hazardous conditions, deprived of education, and subjected to exploitation. Therefore, the statement that child labor is not a problem anymore is false.

Lewis Hine was hired by The National Child Labor Committee to expose the harsh working conditions of millions of children across America. The organization recognized the need to bring attention to child labor and advocate for change. Hine's powerful photographs became instrumental in raising public awareness and influencing child labor laws in the United States. Through his work with The National Child Labor Committee, Hine played a crucial role in improving the lives of child laborers and bringing about social reform.

Breaker Boys worked in the hazardous coal mines and often contracted black lung disease. Black lung disease, also known as coal workers' pneumoconiosis, is caused by long-term exposure to coal dust. Breaker Boys were young boys who sorted coal by hand, removing impurities and debris. They worked in dusty and dirty conditions, inhaling coal dust regularly, which led to the development of black lung disease.

In 1900, only a small percentage of children attended school, as indicated by the given answer of 8%. This low percentage can be attributed to various factors such as limited access to education, especially for children in rural areas, the need for children to work and contribute to their family's income, and the overall lack of emphasis on education during that time period.

The Keating-Owen Act of 1916 was both a victory and a defeat for the Children's Bureau and the NCLC because it banned the sale of products made by child laborers. This was a victory as it aimed to protect children from exploitation and improve their working conditions. However, the act was later ruled unconstitutional, which was a defeat for the organizations. This ruling undermined their efforts to eradicate child labor and ensure the welfare of children in the workforce.

The Fair Labor Standards Act was an important piece of legislation because it created the nation's first minimum wage and restricted child labor. This means that it established a baseline wage that employers were required to pay their workers, ensuring that workers were not exploited or underpaid. Additionally, it placed restrictions on child labor, protecting children from being forced to work in dangerous or exploitative conditions. These provisions helped to improve working conditions and ensure fair treatment for workers, making the Act a crucial step in labor rights and protections.

Julia Lathrop was the first Chief of the Children's Bureau, which was the first government agency dedicated to addressing the needs of American children. Lewis Hine, Addie Card, and Furman Owens are not relevant to the question or the establishment of the Children's Bureau.