Child Labor Legislation

Consumers' League It is most desirable that the present widespread agitation for child labor legislation may achieve permanent results of a uniform character.Such laws as now exist are alike in no two states; they are enforced differently when they are enforced at all; they are uniform only in their failure to afford adequate protection to the rising generation of the working-class.It is the aim of this paper to set forth some essential points of an effective child labor law efficiently enforced; for whatever the local differences of industrial conditions may be, certain funda- mental needs of childhood are constant and child labor legislation must ultimately be framed with regard to these.This fact is somewhat recognized in the statutes already enacted; for all these begin with a restriction upon the age at which ths child may begin to work.This minimal age has varied.from ten years to fifteen, differing in some states for boys and for girls, while the statutes prescribing it have been weakened in some states by exemptions and strengthened in others by educational requirements.The fundamental provision of all child labor legislation has always been the prohibition of work before a specified birthday.Akin to the restriction of the age of employment is the restric- tion of the hours of work.The former secures to the child a fixed modicum of childhood; the latter assures to the adolescent certain leisure, all too little, for growth and development.No one law can be selected as containing all the provisions needed or even as containing all the provisions now in force.It is not possible to say to students of the subject, &dquo;The law of Massa- chusetts should be copied everywhere,&dquo; for the laws of Ohio and Illinois contain single provisions in advance of that of Massachu- setts.Among the best child labor laws in the United States are those of Illinois and Indiana, which are almost identical

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