Why were children often hired to work in factories during the Industrial Revolution?(1 point)
Responses
There were no schools for children who lived in the city, so factory owners hired them so they had something to do during the day.
Men were too busy on the family farm to work in factories, so factory owners needed to hire children.
Children could fit into tight spaces between machines and could be paid smaller wages, so factory owners hired them.
Factories were too dangerous for women to work in, so factory owners hired children instead.
Children could fit into tight spaces between machines and could be paid smaller wages, so factory owners hired them.
Children could fit into tight spaces between machines and could be paid smaller wages, so factory owners hired them.
The correct answer is: Children could fit into tight spaces between machines and could be paid smaller wages, so factory owners hired them.
During the Industrial Revolution, children were often hired to work in factories for several reasons. One of the main reasons was their small size, which allowed them to easily maneuver and work in tight spaces between machines. This was particularly useful in industries like textile production, where machines were crowded together.
Additionally, children could be paid significantly lower wages compared to adult workers. Factory owners took advantage of this and used children as a cheap source of labor. They were seen as more expendable and easily replaceable, allowing factory owners to maximize their profits.
It's worth noting that there were various other factors contributing to the employment of children during the Industrial Revolution, such as the lack of regulations protecting workers, the need for additional family income, and the limited access to education for children living in urban areas.