How did the Progressive movement in South Carolina approach child labor
differently than the Progressive movement nationwide?
In South Carolina, the issue of child labor was connected to educational reforms
and graduation standards; across the country, other Progressives tied child labor
directly to age.
To support farmers, South Carolina Progressives lobbied the state legislature to
avoid the passage of child labor laws; across the nation, Progressives pushed for
legislation addressing the issue.
Child labor issues in textile mills were addressed with legislation in South
Carolina as early as 1903; national progress on child labor issues did not come
about until much later, in 1912.
Progressives across the country desired a national law against factory work by
those under 18 years old; in South Carolina, Progressives sought to set 16 years
as the minimum work age.