Understanding Child Labor in the U.S.: A Historical Perspective

What recent legislative trend regarding child labor was mentioned?

• Stricter child labor laws

• Legislation to increase minimum wage

• Legislation to loosen child labor laws

• New safety standards for workplaces

What was the primary sector where child labor occurred historically in the U.S.?

• Industrial factories

• Family farms

• Textile mills

• Mining

What major factor contributed to the rise of child labor during the Industrial Revolution?

• Children seen as economic assets

• Machines requiring advanced skills

• Lack of adult workers

• High wages offered to children

Which industry was a significant employer of children in the early 1900s?

• Agriculture

• Textile industry

• Automobile manufacturing

• Electronics assembly

What was a direct consequence of the Great Depression on child labor?

• Shift of child labor from farms to factories

• No change in child labor rates

• Decrease in child labor due to adult unemployment

• Increase in child labor

What year did the Fair Labor Standards Act, which included child labor restrictions, get enacted?

• 1960

• 1938

• 1945

• 1920

Why does agriculture still present challenges in terms of child labor?

• Farming is considered safer than industrial work

• There is no legislation against child labor in agriculture

• Children are more skilled in farming

• It was excluded from the original FLSA bill

How many children are estimated to work in agriculture in the U.S. today?

• As many as 500,000

• Up to 100,000

• Over 1 million

• About 50,000

What recent trend has been reported regarding child labor violations?

• A decrease due to better enforcement

• No significant change

• A 69% increase

• A steady decline

What reason do some states have for loosening child labor restrictions?

• To align with international standards

• To boost the economy

• Employers struggle to find willing workers

• To increase educational opportunities