Then and now child labor
Child labor during the industrial revolution historic background
In early and mid 1800's during the industrial revolution in great Britain child labor was used to get work done. Especially in the textile factories in big cities such as Manchester. the children were small and able to fit in places adults couldn't. The children were used to untangle thread in the spinning machines, replace thread in the bobbins, or swept up cotton fluff. It was a dangerous job however nobody cared about the children's safety because they needed to provide profits to mill owners.
It socially affected families lives and kids had to dedicate their childhood to forced labor. Economically it helped production which meant more money. Politically until the first factory act passed in 1819 the British government exerted little control over child labor in Manchester and other factory cities.