Why were children often hired to work in factories during the industrial revolution?
Children were often hired to work in factories during the industrial revolution for several reasons:
1. They were seen as cheap and easily exploitable labor as they could be paid significantly lower wages than adult workers.
2. Children were smaller in size, making them well-suited for working in tight or cramped spaces within the factories.
3. Factory owners believed that children were more easily trainable and manageable than adult workers.
4. Children were also able to perform repetitive and monotonous tasks for long hours without complaint.
5. Many families were struggling financially during the industrial revolution, and children were often needed to contribute to the family income.
However, employing children in factories led to numerous negative consequences, including poor working conditions, long hours, low pay, and physical and emotional harm. It wasn't until the passing of child labor laws that children were eventually protected from exploitation in the workplace.