Essay On How The Other Half Lives

The plight of American workers, according to Jacob Riis writing, between 19th century and 20th centuries can be associated with a number of factors among them, the surge of immigrants in America. His writing focuses on the difference between the upper and the middle-class people living in the slums of New York City. The American economy took a different direction as a result of the change from an agricultural to industrial urban nation. Riis tries to bring out the horrible working conditions of American workers living in the tenements and calls for government intervention. Urbanization of the American people and the great 19th century immigration brought a lot of people to urban centers in search for employment opportunities. This influx had an imperative effect on the human condition, and lifestyle among the middle-class people living in the tenements.
The living condition among American middle-class workers was poor as a result of low wages that led to a low standard of living. This led to poverty in the tenements leading to various social upheavals. The crime rate in the New York slums was reported to be high due to the high unemployment rate in the city. Foreign workers such as Jews and the Irish offered cheap labor in industries and opted to stay in America because of religious prosecutions back in their homes. The development of such immigrant communities brought about a nativist backlash among the native-born Americans. This nativist backlash resulted from fear of takeover of American cities by immigrants. The Jews and Irish were perceived as minor and lesser races as a result of religious and social reasons. This kind of racial discrimination led to issues of class among the native-born community and new immigrants in America.
During the 19th century, women's areas of specialization were viewed as an extension of their domestic roles. For instance, women possessing skills in clothing, teaching, domestic services, and nursing got employed in respective firms. Some skilled women were involved in economic activities in an effort to augment the household income in the provision of basic necessities. By contrast, women workers' were subjected to discrimination in the working environment. This is because only a few women were penetrated in economic sectors. The few skilled women in economic sectors received unfair employment practices such as low wages, long working hours and were given a low status in the society. In an effort to mitigate the level of poverty in slum families, children were forced to work under the same conditions as adults for low wages. Government and social charitable organizations' intervention were necessary in rescuing children from harsh labor, and poverty.
The trend in sexuality from the 19th century to 20th century has been characterized by numerous changes in the traditional aspect and cultural beliefs of the society. Globalization and advancements in technology have largely contributed to the fight against gender discrimination. In the modern world, women have been perceived and treated with the same intensity as men in the society. Disparities in gender have been as a result of education levels. Competition between the girl and boy child has resulted into a community of intellects. This has significantly contributed to the leadership and management roles in various institutions. Leadership positions are, therefore, on the basis of professional education, skills, and competency.
The cheap lodging-houses had various negative effects on dwellers as they increased crime rate and led to the unexacerbated spread of diseases. According to Jacob Riis, police reports indicated that crime rates had tremendously increased with even children being arrested for petty crimes in the slums. The level of poverty in these areas was attributed to the increased levels of crime and the spread of diseases. Congestion of industrial workers in tenements was a clear indication of division between the upper and middle class individuals in New York. Industrial workers enjoyed little support from government and labor unions resulting in unfair treatment, especially in times of economic depression.
Laborers in the Americans' industry used to be treated in an inhuman manner due to their dire need to get a penny for their living. In this perspective, the workers had to receive a harsh treatment from the Americans employers. Japanese and Koreans formed the largest percentage of immigrants in the United States. However, despite the immigrations taking place, there was exclusions of the Asian Americans in the U.S. the Chinese were the first victims of exclusion after the implementation of page law. The aforementioned exclusion took place as a result of importation of Asian women for prostitution.
In the United States, American workers suffered social discrimination in the farms and also in the industries. For instance, there were bans on union membership, employment, violence, and housing discrimination. Apart from the above social discrimination, they faced racism. Asian Americans, Jews, and Irish people were treated with less dignity and could not work under normal human conditions. Therefore, in the late 19th century, minority groups in the United States mobilized groups with different ideologies protesting their treatment in the Americans firms.
In this case, increased sentiments among the native-born Americans and new immigrants worsened. Political mobilization by the labor unions sought to free workers from racism and better their way of living in the United States. The move to fight for equality among American workers hastens in the beginning of the 20th century following the objection the idea of Japanese exclusion from the United States. Intervention of labor unions and the government had a significant role in promoting laborers' working condition and equal treatment in the workplace.
Slum condition was devastating as a result of extreme poverty experienced by the tenement dwellers. According to Jacob Riis, the main cause of poverty was low wages of American workers that could not augment the desired social needs. Outbreak of diseases such as cholera, small-pox, and plaque had an adverse effect on the workforce. Accessibility of hospitals and health care centers was a problem among the middle-class individuals due to the poverty level experienced in the tenement districts. Most laborers succumbed to these diseases translating into a reduction of workforce. This led to government intervention in an aim to mitigate the effect of the diseases.
In the 20th century, there were drastic changes in the working conditions of laborers in the United States following pressure from labor unions and the government. The tenement house problem brought about various negative effects among individuals living in New York slums. As a result, the government initiated some programs aimed at alleviating poverty and helping the needy. The establishment of hospitals and healthcare facilities helped reduce and prevent the outbreak of diseases among Americans living in tenement districts. Implementation of various labor laws has improved working conditions in workplaces and put to an end the issue of child labor.