Response to Industrialization

 

[QUOTES]

(1) On women in the workplace

“The true advancement of women requires that labor should be structured in such a way that women do not have to pay for their advancement by abandoning what is specific to them and at the expense of the family, in which women as mothers have an irreplaceable role. (LE 19, p.379).          

(2)Workers and managers united in work community

“It is characteristic of work that it first and foremost unites people. In this consists its social power: the power to build a community. In the final analysis, both those who work and those who manage the means of production or who own them must in some way be united in this community” (LE 20, pp. 380-81).

(3)The right to medical care

   “19. After outlining the important role that concern for providing employment for all workers plays in safeguarding respect for the inalienable rights of man in view of his work, it is worthwhile to take a closer look at these rights, which in the final analysis are formed within the relationship between worker and direct employer. […]

   “Besides wages, various social benefits intended to ensure the life and health of workers and their families play a part here. The expenses involved in health care, especially in the case of accidents at work, demand that medical assistance should be easily available for workers and that as far as possible it should be cheap or even free of charge.” (LE 19, pp. 378-9).

 

[BLOG]

            The industrial period is well remembered as one of the most significant moments in U.S. history. The industrialization brought technological advances, increased population in cities, expanded the railroad industry, raised the number of job positions, decreased production time, and encouraged education. However, these positive outcomes did not bury the negative effects, such as horrible working and living conditions, long work hours, minimal pay, air pollution, and child labor.

Although many men had to suffer at work, women and children had to endure a lot more. Women, in particular, were hired as inexpensive and unskilled labor. They were paid half as much as the men, but put out just as much hours as them; sometimes, even more! In addition, they had to sacrifice their roles as wives and mothers. This brings me to the first quote on women in the workplace. I agree with this statement because as much as women enjoyed the freedom and power of being out of the house and having the ability to contribute to the family income, many despised the harsh hours at work, the horrible and dangerous work conditions, and the low pay for all the time they had to sacrifice for their work. Unlike men whose main job was to earn money and provide for the family, women also needed to take care of household chores and raise children on top of their work.  So similar to what the quote is stating, I do believe that women deserve a job that does not require them “abandoning what is specific to them and at the expense of the family.”

The second quote talks about the relationship that should be developed between the workers and the managers. In any type of job, people must be able to cooperate and learn how to work with one another in a civilized manner. People don’t just go to work for their own benefit; instead, each person represents a piece of the puzzle and must work with one another to complete the project. I agree with the quote because I believe that in order to build an understanding and peaceful atmosphere, workers and managers should try to see each other as respectful individuals and try to create a sense of community. That is the only way to inhibit the feeling of inequality that fuels strikes, labor violence, and the formations of labor unions.

The third quote talks about workers’ right to medical care. Although the industrialization led to so many advancements in America, a lot of the workers had to face the dangerous conditions at work. Back in the days, work places did not take cautious steps in preventing accidents from occurring. So there were many injuries and deaths resulting from the lack of care and improvements. I believe that the government made the right decision to allow workers to get medical care and “various social benefits intended to ensure the life and health of workers and their families.” By looking after their well-being, workers will feel safer and more satisfied with their jobs and, as a response, put in their best effort in whatever they do.