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Title: 'She Has Suddenly Become Powerful': Youth Employment and Household Decision Making in the Early Twentieth Century

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2005

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Abstract: In the United States a century ago, working children turned over almost all of their earnings to their parents. What incentives, then, did they have to work? Standard answers to this question allude to altruism or the sticks wielded by parents and employers. This paper argues that there were also carrots: working gave children greater influence in household decision-making. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Cost of Living Survey 1917-1919, this paper shows that expenditures on a childrens clothing varied with their labor market status. Working children had higher clothing expenditures than did non-working children. However, the rewards to work came not just from labor market entry alone; clothing expenditures were increasing in the income a child brought into the household.

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Authors: Moehling, Carolyn M.

Periodical (Full): The Journal of Economic History

Issue: 2

Volume: 65

Pages: 414-438

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure

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