During the second industrial revolution (1870-1914), many children were forced to work difficult jobs for long hours. Child labor laws did not exist at that time, so children were not protected from harsh conditions and their affects until 1938. It is important to consider the future of children at this time because many children did not have as many opportunities as they should have, due to the fact that they were trying to support, not only themselves, but their families too. However the work facilities were very dangerous and took a toll on all children who worked in these facilities. Things like the emotional and physical health of the children and their lack of education — due to to long hours in the workplace — affected the children in their everyday life for years to come. Since the range of paid workers was from three to eighteen, many were not mentally or physically ready to take on such difficult work and harsh treatment. During this era, many adults promoted child work because it was said to build character and instill discipline into children ("In the Playtime" 1). However, it did the opposite. Harsh punishments for tardiness and below-standard work included whipping, beating, and weighting (Needham). Weighting was a punishment that included putting heavy weights around the child's neck and having him/her walk the aisles of the factory for up to an hour (Needham). Supposedly this punishment was supposed to impress the other children to work hard and be prompt or the same fate would be awarded to them (Needham). This punishment in particular caused neck and back trauma and if repeated enough could lead to involuntary movements, paralysis, or even death. The extreme sense of embarrassment that must have come to these children had to damage their mental well-being to some degree. Punishments varied depending on the employer. In addition to harsh punishments, their living and working
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Sometimes instead of pay children would opt for a bed and food. Usually children were two to a twin bed sleeping head to toe. Often noise from the night shift team would keep children up at night, and they would not get the rest needed for them to function properly or at all. Not only that, but if children were slow in the morning, they would be forced to go to work naked with clothes in hand (Needham). After arriving at work and being all accounted for, the workers were locked up to ensure no one would escape. This wasn't new to them however because whether it be in the bunks or the workplace they were locked in. They often panicked when the doors locked, no matter how long they had worked the job. All of them were constantly hungry due to small portions of food and could not think logically to try and calm themselves down (Wagner). This is not the only suffering they endured however, machines were loud too. The constant exposure to these loud sounds often caused children to go deaf or develop post traumatic stress disorder. To add to the discomfort, machines sat side by side in most factories and mines, and children were constantly cramped. This made it a breeding ground for disease (Wagner). Polio was starting to appear more and more during this time and cramped conditions did no help in preventing it from spreading among the children, along with other diseases of course. Since boys
Sometimes instead of pay children would opt for a bed and food. Usually children were two to a twin bed sleeping head to toe. Often noise from the night shift team would keep children up at night, and they would not get the rest needed for them to function properly or at all. Not only that, but if children were slow in the morning, they would be forced to go to work naked with clothes in hand (Needham). After arriving at work and being all accounted for, the workers were locked up to ensure no one would escape. This wasn't new to them however because whether it be in the bunks or the workplace they were locked in. They often panicked when the doors locked, no matter how long they had worked the job. All of them were constantly hungry due to small portions of food and could not think logically to try and calm themselves down (Wagner). This is not the only suffering they endured however, machines were loud too. The constant exposure to these loud sounds often caused children to go deaf or develop post traumatic stress disorder. To add to the discomfort, machines sat side by side in most factories and mines, and children were constantly cramped. This made it a breeding ground for disease (Wagner). Polio was starting to appear more and more during this time and cramped conditions did no help in preventing it from spreading among the children, along with other diseases of course. Since boys