Child labor in the industrial revolution

Some child workers worked all day pulling wagons of coal up small tunnels just a few feet tall.

The innocence that comes with childhood was utilised to make a profit by many and was encouraged by the need for family income. When they did earn wages, children often earned 10 to 20 percent of what an adult would earn for the same job. In addition, since the machines had reduced many procedures to simple one-step tasks, unskilled workers could replace skilled workers.

Child labor jobs during the industrial revolution

As a result, children often suffered horrible injuries to their hands and fingers when the machines suddenly began working again. Many factories operating in the city needed hands, but not hands that had the ability to strike for benefits and a higher payment. When she was extricated, every bone was found broken - her head dreadfully crushed. Finally, a few scholars argue that the nimble fingers, small stature and suppleness of children were especially suited to the new machinery and work situations. With children playing an important role in the African economy, child labour still plays an important role for many in the 20th century. In some countries, government policy contributes to this difficulty. Free or slave labour was a common occurrence for many youths and was a part of their everyday lives as they grew into adulthood. This was to make sure the boys would not be late, even by a few minutes. November 8, 2. As well, workers were paid low wages that barely allowed them to afford the cost of living associated with their rent and food. The leaders in this effort were the National Child Labor Committee, organized in , and the many state child labor committees. As result of steam power created by coal, it was possible to power machines. Another issue that often comes into play is the link between what constitutes as child labour within the household due to the cultural acceptance of children helping run the family business. To pay these taxes and cover living expenses, children in colonial households had to work.

Child labor was a common feature in industrial societies as children as young as four years old were often employed in the factories and mines that developed during the time.

In some countries, government policy contributes to this difficulty. They suggest [60] that child labour is a serious problem in all five, but it is not a new problem.

Why were they driven to work in the factories? They had long and inflexible work hours.

The third rule was that children between the ages of nine and thirteen could not work more than eight hours in a day, and would also receive a one-hour lunch break. Sometimes children were preferred to adults because they were small and could easily fit between machines and into small spaces.

Child labour industrial revolution primary sources

Although the official figure of 1. Other less commonly argued sources of an increase in the supply of child labor were that parents either sent their children to work because they were greedy and wanted more income to spend on themselves or that children wanted out of the house because their parents were emotionally and physically abusive. Children served as domestic servants, apprentices, assistants in the family business, and farmers during preindustrial times. Online Database November 8, 4. In addition, jobs of all sorts increasingly required higher educational levels. There were 4, children in the mills of Manchester; 1, in Stockport; 1, in Bolton and 1, in Hyde , For example, by , the Factory Acts limited the workday for British children at 12 hours. These acts limited the number of hours that children could work and placed regulations on workplaces in terms of safety and cleanliness. Sometimes they worked around dangerous chemicals where they became sick from the fumes. In other cases, the businesses felt they were helping the children out by feeding them and keeping them from starving. Download