Infância e trabalho dimensões do trabalho infantil na cidade de Manaus (1890-1920)

Abstract

Trying to contribute for the childhood history in Amazonas State, the present research aims to identify the social space taken by Manaus children over the period called Belle Époque . Manaus city over this period was passing through an intense process of transformation. The rubber export business provides intense contact with new ideas brought by the modernity, imposing not only architectural changes in the city, as well as in the custom and habits of the population. In this historical context in which the city goes through, this work intends to identify the spaces taken by children in the work world in Manaus city. The child labor was present all over the city and the preparation of the labor force was possible thanks to educational institutions whose objective was to give assistance to children who came from poor families, concerning to the learning of a work skill. The press had an important role on the spread of ideas which associated the lack of work to idleness, cristalizing the distinction between the terms minor and child. Thus, different political policies are implemented aiming at making possible a greater recruitment of child labor force.