SOC 222 Childhood Lecture

What was the impact of the Industrial Revolution on child labor by 1900?

By 1900, ¼ of textile workers were children.

What was the Northern reformers' view on child labor for white children compared to African-American children?

Northern reformers were outraged at white child slavery but did not show concern for African American children who were also working.

What percentage of black children were working before age 10 after emancipation?

75% of black children were working before age 10.

Why did some child labor law reformers not view black child labor as exploitive?

They saw it as teaching southern Black children how to function in freedom.

What did child labor laws of the early 20th century aim to achieve?

To protect children from exploitation and ensure they could not work under age 14.

What was a reason child labor was resisted by some industries?

Child labor was good for industry, as it allowed employers to pay children 10-20% of adult wages.

What legislative act did FDR pass in 1938 regarding child labor?

FDR passed a law banning child labor under age 14, except in agriculture.

What economic shift occurred for men in urban areas during the Industrial Revolution?

Most men began working for someone else, transitioning to 'free labor'.

How did the shift from women and children working affect gender relations?

It reinforced the roles of housewives and breadwinners and contributed to domestic abuse.

What is one effect of children having more time for education during the Industrial Revolution?

Children were able to start their education and spend more time being children.

What change occurred in parental relationships due to economic shifts?

Mothers grew closer to children as fathers worked more, altering the parent-child dynamic.

What was the effect of the shift from dependence on people to dependence on money?

Families no longer needed to maintain good relationships for survival, leading to a rise in nuclear families.

How did the public and private spheres differ in the Industrial era?

Public sphere was seen as a 'cold cruel world' focused on competition, while the private sphere was a 'haven' emphasizing cooperation and love.

What emotional need drove the decision to have children in the middle class?

The emotional need to nurture someone became a significant motivation for having children.

What change in the perception of childhood emerged during industrialization?

Childhood became socially constructed as a time of innocence, learning, and separation.

How did parenting change in terms of emotional investment?

Parenting became more emotionally loaded, focusing on love and affirmation rather than economic utility.

What is one effect of the emotional shift in family dynamics on children?

Children replaced old stressors with new ones, trading physical dangers for emotional burdens.