Most people may not think about it much, but us children didn’t just happen upon our rights. We had to fight to obtain our rights. A lot of children just take advantage of the fact that they were born with rights. We need to see what we didn’t have and how we got here today.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there were many troubles for kids. They included child labor and child abuse. The person who helped us out of child labor was Mary "Mother" Jones. She was a nice little old lady who made minors believe that she and they could do anything if they tried for it. Her work included making speeches, recruiting members, and organizing soup kitchens and women’s auxiliary groups during strikes.
Child labor was when children that were under the age of 18 were forced to work for little or no pay in new factories. It took place during the late 1800s and early 1900s because that was when the factories were just opening. The owners needed workers that they could control so they chose little children. When they got a finger chopped off by the mill, the factory would just replace that child with another. It was horrible and Mary "Mother" Jones wouldn’t put up with it. She helped children win their rights.
Child abuse was when the parents tried to control and discipline their children by beating them severely. Not only did it take place then, but, unfortunately, it takes place now as well. Child abuse existed as early as before the 1800s. Before then, little was done to prevent it even. This was because no one knew what it was. Finally, in the late 1800s, large cities set up agencies to help children with social problems. Currently, there is something called Child Services and child welfare. They both help abused children leave their harmful homes.
So now you see, children were not always free and happy. Not even now are they. There are still children living in abusive homes. There aren’t that many children working in factories for little or no pay though, at least not in the United States. If you or someone you know is being abused at home, then don’t be afraid to speak up. Raise your voice and tell someone. Let a trustworthy adult or friend help you through it. And that is why we have to fight for our right, not only to party as the Beastie Boys once said, but also to be abuse and work free.
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