French Child Labor: Chronological Trends


Figure 1.--.

We do not yet have much information about French boys working, but have begun to acquire some information. France in the 19th century had the same problems associated with child labor as other countries as they industrialized. These are best known in England because of Charles Dickens, but similar problems were experienced in other countries such as France. France was not as industrialized as England, but with the advent of the Third Republic (1870), it had a reformist Government which addressed a range of social issues. We are not familiar yet, however, with the efforts in France to regulate child labor. A French reader writes, "The scandals about children working in the mines and manufacturing factories in the 19th century resulted in several laws passed by the Government as well as the adoption of educational reforms. By the late-19th century French children 6 to 12 years of age were required to attend school as a result of compulsory attendance laws. If they worked outside schooltime, it might be simple, occasional work such as shining shoes and above all not dangerous mine and factory work. Still in the 1890s, there were some manufaturers that illegally employed children less 13 years of age. They took the risk of being exposed by he labor inspection ( Inspection du travail ). Here is a 1892 example pf a police's inspector report about a manufacturer sanctionned for employing six boys less 13 years old." We note an 1848 labor law, but do not yet have any details about it. The only specific law we have noted is the Jules Ferry Act (1882). We also notice a 1892 law, but again have no details. Closly related to child labor laws is the establishment of a public school system and compulsory attendance laws. We believe that the problem was addresses sooner in France than in Britain and America, but do not yet have the historical details.

The 18th Century

We do not yet have any information on child labor in France during the 18th century.

The 19th Century

France in the 19th century had the same problems associated with child labor as other countries as they industrialized. These are best known in England because of Charles Dickens, but similar problems were experienced in other countries such as France. France was not as industrialized as England, but with the advent of the Third Republic (1870), it had a reformist Government which addressed a range of social issues. We are not familiar yet, however, with the efforts in France to regulate child labor. A French reader writes, "The scandals about children working in the mines and manufacturing factories in the 19th century resulted in several laws passed by the Government as well as the adoption of educational reforms. By the late-19th century French children 6 to 12 years of age were required to attend school as a result of compulsory attendance laws. If they worked outside schooltime, it might be simple, occasional work such as shining shoes and above all not dangerous mine and factory work. Still in the 1890s, there were some manufaturers that illegally employed children less 13 years of age. They took the risk of being exposed by he labor inspection ( Inspection du travail ). Here is a 1892 example pf a police's inspector report about a manufacturer sanctionned for employing six boys less 13 years old." We note an 1848 labor law, but do not yet have any details about it. The only specific law we have noted is the Jules Ferry Act (1882). We also notice a 1892 law, but again have no details. Closly related to child labor laws is the establishment of a public school system and compulsory attendance laws. We believe that the problem was addresses sooner in France than in Britain and America, but do not yet have the historical details.

The 20th Century









HBC






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Created: 7:33 PM 3/21/2012
Last updated: 7:33 PM 3/21/2012