Child Labor Then Now Legal Definition of CHILD

Child Labor: Then & Now

Legal Definition of CHILD: • Any person under the age of 18 • A dependent; not able to support oneself • A minor • ALL OF YOU!

Statistics: THEN & Now • Children as young as SIX years old worked in the factories (primarily textiles) • Worked long hours for little to no pay

Statistics: THEN & Now • Worked up to 19 hours per day • Received a one hour break (TOTAL)

Statistics: THEN & Now • Both male & female children worked in the factories • All were subject to beatings & other harsh forms of discipline

Statistics: THEN & Now • Punishment for tardiness? • Being “weighted” • Forced to carry a heavy weight around one’s neck; up to an hour

Statistics: THEN & Now • Accidents were VERY common among child laborers • Loss of limbs, etc.

Statistics: THEN & • Factory Acts. Now of 1819: – Children from 9 -16 were limited to a 12 hour day. • Factory Acts of 1833: – Children under 9 were banned from all textile mills. – Children under 18 no longer worked at night – Provided safety inspections

Statistics: THEN & • Mine Acts Now – Children and women were no longer allowed to work in the coal mines

Statistics: Then & NOW • There approximately 246 million child laborers in today’s world • And you thought school was bad…

Statistics: Then & NOW • 73 million working children are less than 10 years old • What were you doing when you were 10 years old?

Statistics: Then & NOW • Every year 22, 000 children die in work-related accidents

Statistics: Then & NOW • The largest percentage of working children are found in the Asia/Pacific • Approximately 127 million

Statistics: Then & NOW • Worldwide, there approximately 8. 4 million children are trapped in slavery, trafficking, debt bondage, prostitution & pornography