Child Labor

What does each photograph suggest about what work was like for children in the Pennsylvania coal mines in 1910 and 1911?

• Children were not involved in any dangerous work in the mines.

• Children were involved in light and safe work in the mines.

• Children were involved in physically demanding and hazardous work in the mines.

• Children were only involved in administrative tasks in the mines.

What other evidence would you want to see to determine whether these photographs are accurate representations of work in coal mines?

• Letters written by the children in the photographs.

• Photographs of children playing outside the mines.

• Historical documents about child labor laws in Pennsylvania.

• Interviews with the children in the photographs.

Based on the content of the photographs, how do you think Hine felt about child labor?

• Hine was indifferent to child labor issues.

• Hine supported child labor and wanted to showcase its benefits.

• Hine was critical of child labor and wanted to bring attention to its negative effects.

• Hine was unaware of the existence of child labor.

Considering the questions above, why might Hine’s photographs be useful evidence about working conditions for children in the mines at the time?

• Hine's photographs were taken from a distance and did not capture the true working conditions.

• Hine's photographs were staged and did not accurately represent the working conditions.

• Hine's photographs were heavily edited to exaggerate the working conditions.

• Hine's photographs were taken with a basic box camera, providing an authentic portrayal of the working conditions.

Considering the questions above, what about the photographs might cause you to question whether they are useful evidence about working conditions for children in the mines at the time?

• The photographs were taken by the mine owners, so they may be biased.

• The photographs were taken by a professional photographer, so they may not accurately represent reality.

• The photographs were taken with a modern digital camera, so they may not accurately represent the technology of the time.

• The photographs were taken in a studio, so they may not accurately represent the working conditions in the mines.

Why might the background information above lead you to question the photograph’s reliability as evidence of the dangers of child labor at the time?

What is one aspect of the photo that might lead you to question its reliability as evidence of the dangers of child labor at the time?

What is one thing you would want to know about Lewis Hine or how he took this photo to better determine its reliability?

Which 1 of the 3 facts above might cause you to question the reliability of Hine’s photograph as evidence of what working conditions were like for children in the mines?

• Hine was paid to take this photograph by an organization that opposed child labor.

• Hine had been a teacher in New York City before becoming a full-time photographer.

• Children who worked in the mines were often unable to attend school.

What is the main topic of the Georgia Stories program?

• Child Labor and the Farm

• Spring Break at School

• Birth of the Girl Scouts

• Textile Mills