Child labor in the US: an embarrassing past that Americans may think they’ve left behind – The Current

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Child Labor in the US

Introduction

At the University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Special Collections, a major digitization and rehousing project of over 5,400 photographs made by Lewis Wickes Hine has recently been completed. Hine’s photographs, taken in the early 20th century, captured the oppressive working conditions of thousands of children, some as young as 3 years old.

Despite the perception that child labor is a thing of the past, recent reports of child labor violations in the US, particularly involving immigrants, highlight the continued relevance of Hine’s work. Additionally, there has been an increase in state legislation rolling back the legal working age, further emphasizing the need to address child labor issues.

‘An investigator with a camera’

Hine, a sociologist by training, began his photography career in 1903 while working as a teacher in New York City. He photographed migrants at Ellis Island and believed that the future of the US relied on its identity as an immigrant nation. The National Child Labor Committee hired Hine based on his work to document the living and working conditions of American children.

Hine used a Graflex camera with glass plate negatives to capture images of children working in farms, mills, factories, and streets across the country. He often disguised himself to gain entry into facilities and collected personal stories from his subjects. Hine used these photographs and stories to create “photo stories” that were used for advocacy purposes.

Legislation follows

Hine’s photographs played a significant role in advocating for child labor reform. The efforts of the National Child Labor Committee led to the establishment of the Children’s Bureau in 1912 and the passage of the Keating-Owen Act in 1916, which limited working hours for children and prohibited the interstate sale of goods produced by child labor. Although some of these laws were later ruled unconstitutional, they laid the foundation for future protections for child workers.

However, the enforcement of existing child labor regulations remains a challenge, as the Department of Labor faces criticism for failing to protect child workers.

The ethics of picturing child labor

While Hine’s photographs continue to be relevant to today’s child labor crisis, there is a key distinction between his subjects and working children today – race. Hine primarily focused on white children who arrived in the US during waves of European immigration. This racial bias in Hine’s photographs reflects the racial hierarchies of his era and has implications for how underage migrants of color are marginalized in society today.

Contemporary reports of child labor violations often lack accompanying images due to ethical considerations and the difficulty of accessing sites where labor violations occur. However, digital cameras and smartphones have allowed child laborers in other countries to become “young activists” and share their own stories through photography.

The absence of images in today’s reporting on child labor raises questions about the public’s understanding of the harmful consequences of labor enforcement failures when the faces of those affected are missing from the picture.

Conclusion

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for addressing child labor and promoting decent work for all. Hine’s photographs serve as a reminder of the power of photography to advocate for social change. By highlighting the continued existence of child labor in the US and emphasizing the importance of enforcing labor laws, we can work towards achieving SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 4: Quality Education for all children.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
   • Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
   • Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in country of destination.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDGs that are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

The specific targets under SDG 8 are Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. The specific target under SDG 10 is Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. For Target 8.7, the indicator is Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group. For Target 10.7, the indicator is Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in the country of destination.

The article discusses child labor violations and the need to eradicate child labor, which aligns with Target 8.7. It also mentions the issue of migration and the working conditions of underage migrants, which relates to Target 10.7.

The indicators mentioned in the article can be used to measure progress towards these targets. Indicator 8.7.1 measures the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor, providing data on the extent of child labor and progress in its elimination. Indicator 10.7.1 measures the recruitment cost borne by employees as a proportion of their monthly income, indicating the financial burden and potential exploitation faced by migrant workers.

Overall, the article highlights the relevance of these SDGs, targets, and indicators in addressing the issues of child labor and migration-related labor exploitation.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: thecurrentga.org

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