Topic > The various changes taking place during the Progressive Era

Many new social institutions were implemented during the Progressive Era as a way to improve society by helping minorities and the less privileged. As a result of the spread of these beliefs, things like public education reform and other equality-driven movements began to gain traction across the country. Before this movement, education was not strictly mandated by the government and many children, especially minority children, were only educated up to primary school because many felt that their children needed to be taught only the bare minimum to function. White male adolescents from upper-class families tended to have a higher level of education than females, who were expected to take care of the home, and minorities who still faced discrimination. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To better prepare young people for their future which will most likely be working in some type of factory environment, schools have begun to make drastic changes to replicate what factories were like. Schools across the country have implemented changes such as bell dismissal systems, repeat timetables and compulsory attendance. The government funded many of the resources needed for schools to succeed nationwide. Before laws were enacted that school attendance was not optional, many children did not have the choice to go to school even if they wanted to. Many children had to work on farms or in the fields to help their families earn a living, while those from more financially comfortable families could decide whether or not they wanted to continue their education. During this period there was also a shift from religion as the foundation of almost everything in society to science starting to play a larger role. As a result, a scientific management method called Taylorism began to become more common in schools and factories. Taylorism was a method used to maximize efficiency by dividing individual tasks in ways that made concepts easier to analyze and understand. The reasoning behind Taylorism was that the way skills would be taught through this method would reduce the time needed to teach important skills, while at the same time increasing profits. Factory workers were subjected to extremely repetitive schedules and routines to make certain tasks almost become second nature to them, resulting in work being done more quickly and efficiently than before this method was implemented. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Originally settlement housing was intended for the privileged class of society who lived and worked as settlers in the poor parts of the city. Settlement housing was intended to make the wealthy know their neighbors intimately. Settlement housing was also used for a social or psychological experiment. For some it was also a means to share their education and/or beliefs to help the less fortunate overcome their personal handicaps.