Child labor in the United States

Child labor in the United States was a common phenomenon across the economy in the 19th century. Outside agriculture, it gradually declined in the early 20th century, except in the South which added children to textile and other industries. Child labor remained common in the agricultural sector until compulsory school laws were enacted by the states. A national law against child labor was passed in 1916, but it was overturned by the Supreme Court in 1918. A 1919 law was also overturned. In the 1920s, an effort to pass a constitutional amendment failed, because of opposition from the South and from Catholics. The Fair Labor Standards Act (part of the New Deal) in 1938 finally ended child labor in factories, mines, and other occupations. Child labor has always been a factor in agriculture and that continues into the 21st century.

There has been a large rise in child labor in the 2020s amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in sectors such as meat packing and light industry, with a tight labor market increasing worker demand. Several states have proposed or enacted measures to loosen restrictions and make it easier for employers to employ children.