Child Laborers
FASCINATING photos of children laborers at textile mills, farms, homes and on the streets of New York taken by photographer Lewis Wickes Hines in the 20th century were influential in bringing about child labor reform. A selection can be found at It’s About Time. Though some of the children pictured are bedraggled and dirty, they generally look healthy and decently dressed. Some are seen working alongside their mothers. Many went to school too and some are seasonal workers, picking short-term crops or shucking oysters. The girls look like girls and the boys look like boys. Many have an introspective look — maybe from the discipline and the time alone with their thoughts while working. These are intriguing photos.


