Question

[atreides1]

I was watching the History Channel last night and the program was called "The Worst Jobs in History". Now the three episodes watched had to do with England, starting with the Stuart Dynasty, to the time
of the Georges, and the last episode was set in the Victorian Era.

I noticed that in all three eras, that children were exploited, even after laws had been passed to limit child labor.

Now I can only assume that in the 18th and 19th centuries, that here in America the same kind of exploitation was taking place, but there was little concern from the US government about this.

My question is when did life become precious? When did life become something that people cherish, when were children thought to be more
then just a labor commodity.

Even in the early 20th Century, there were few laws regarding child labor.

The pro-lifers maintain that abortion is wrong, but then most of them call for cuts in the programs that would help the very same children
that they are "saving".

All I can see is that human life has only been considered something to be cherished in the last seven decades, prior to that it seemed that it was only important for what some company could get out of it.

Just a question!

[northamericancitizen]

1. Your question is too hard to answer that early in the day. n/t

[flvegan]

2. Children still are a labor commodity in some countries.

Lots of folks are wearing their sweatshop labor right now.

[atreides1]

4. Yes They Are

But I'm limiting the question to the US.

I see the pro-life movement constantly screaming about how life is so precious, but yet it doesn't stop them from shopping at Wal Mart, and
calling for an end to federal social programs that are suppose to help
those who are poor, or disabled.

[flvegan]

6. But it's American demand driving much of that labor

So I still see the abuse as an American issue, as opposed to just child citizens of America.

[atreides1]

7. My Point

Yes it's driving much of that labor, but it is not a direct American issue, as far as the rest of the world is concerned, it's an international issue, that needs to be dealt with by all nations.

America isn't the only country buying Power Ranger action figures you know? We just buy most of them.

What I'm trying to figure out is, is human life really important to our opponents, or is it just another weapon in their arsenal that is
used against us.

We keep hearing about how human life is precious, but some xtians don't seem to see anything wrong with the killing of Iraqis, pro-lifers call for laws to ban abortions, or insist that teaching abstinence is the only birth control method that needs to be taught.

Yet these same people back cuts in programs for those children that they insisted had the right to be born. Most will be the ones complaining about the US government sending money to help the victims
of the tsunami.

My point is that life isn't precious to most of our opponents. To them life is a commdity to be brought out during elections to show the kool-aid drinking sheep, how much they care about others. Once thye get into office all the concern is put back into a closet until it's needed again.

[SlackJawedYokel]

3. IMO, post WW2 America

with the beginning of the baby boom and the rise of the middle class nuclear family coupled with a medical science and social health programs that reduced infant mortality rates.
Prior to that, given that America was primarily agrarian, children were often treated as free labor.
In fact, it was the rise of the Indutrial Age and factories that exploited child labor that created those labor laws.

Sarah Blaffer Hrdy's book Mother Nature: A History Of Mothers Infants, And Natural Selection makes mention of the social treatment of children and women specifically detailing some horriffic French orphanages and attitudes about children.

Cletus

[atreides1]

5. Thanks

I'll have to see if I can find this book, and read it. Thank you for the information.