How Getting Richer Made Teenagers Less Free
5th November 2026
In 1913, journalist Helen Todd talked to hundreds of 14- to 16-year-olds working in American factories. Most of their fathers were dead or had crippling health issues thanks to decades of work in unsafe factories, and their mothers were supporting an average of five children on low wages. By doing piecemeal work for excruciatingly low pay in dangerous factories, the teenagers were keeping their families afloat.
Todd asked these teenage laborers whether they would choose work in the factory or school if their families were rich enough that they didn’t need to work.
Overwhelmingly, they chose the factory.