Filling skins, sausage department, Armour's great packing house, Chicago, U.S.A.

The early 1900’s were a time of industrial development and a rise in factory jobs. Although these jobs involved harsh physical labor and low pay, they were a way for people, especially new immigrants, to make money and start a life within big cities. Chicago, Illinois was one of these cities, especially known for its large meat packing factories. Unfortunately, in order to make enough money to survive and support a large family, many immigrants had their children work alongside them in these factories. Although these conditions were not suitable for young children, if they were able to complete the designated job and work the required hours, children were often paid similarly to their parents. This photo shows a group of young boys working next to older men in a sausage-filling factory, and directly relates to Upton Sinclair’s novel “The Jungle.” Stanislovas, Teta Elzbieta’s oldest child, is at first pushed to attend school by Jurgis in order to improve the family’s social standing. However, as the family realizes the extent of their money troubles, Stanislovas is sent to work in a meatpacking factory where he loses all chance and hope of a successful future, like many of the children during these times. Through many different jobs, extensive abuse, and awful working conditions, Stanislovas eventually dies. The jobs these young boys and girls took on were often extremely dangerous and involved working conditions that usually caused or led to their deaths.  Although there were a few child labor laws during “The Jungle” and when this photograph was taken, they were never enforced enough to make an impact.  The horrible working conditions exhibited in Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” left child laborers to face injury, exhaustion, and even death.