Child Labor
19th Century Britain Misty Thompson
Jobs Children Did in Factories
- Many young children were chimney sweepers because they were small and could get in and out of the chimneys easier than adults.
- Children worked in coal mines because they were smaller and could move throught mines easily. They also could be paid lower wages.
- Children worked in factories and textile mills as cheap labor. Many factories had more child workers than adults since kids were small and would do the job without knowing the risks.
- Some young children were hired as to pick pocket others. An adult would pay a child to steal money and items from others wallets.
Pie Graph for Britians 1750 Workforce
Most of the workforce in the 1800s were children under the age of 14.
Hours, Food and Working Conditions
- On average, children worked 12-14 hours a day with very few breaks.
- Children got payed much less than adults even though they did very dangerous jobs. Their wages ranged from 40 cents to $1.10.
- In some textile mills, children had to eat their meal while they were working. Thier meal usually consisted of outcake, potatoes, and/or boiled bacon.
- Factories were usually dark, damp, and very dirty. They were not a healthy place for children to grow up in.
Young Coal Mine Workers
Young boys exhausted after a long, hard day of work in the coal mines.
Accidents that often Happened
- Chimney sweepers would get out of a chimney with knees and elbows rubbed so raw that it looked like they had no skin left at all.
- Coal miners would often get cut, broken, or crushed fingers. Some also developed bent backs from bending over all day.
- Some children died from accidents due to the dangerous conditions.
- Many children developed respiratory problems because the air was so dusty and unclean.
Child Amputee
This young boy lost several fingers while working in a factory.
Punishments Children Faced
- Many factory owners would beat children and verbaly abuse them.
- Weighted- A owner would tie a heavy weight to the worker and make them walk around like that for up to an hour. This could lead to major injuries involving your back and/or neck.
- Some boys would be dragged from their bed while holding their clothes so that they would be on time to work.
- Children suspected of intending of running away would often get chains strapped to their ankles while walking to and from their workplace.
Weighted
A young boy was weighted as punishment during the Industrial Revolution
Efforts to Improve/Stop Child Labor
- 1833- Factory Act which limited the number of hours a child could work a day. This Act also said that children under the age of 9 couldn't work in textile factories.
- 1842- Mine Act which banned the boys under the age of 10 and all ladies to be working underground.
- 1847- The Ten Hour Act which cut the hours of all children under the age of 18 and all women to 10 hours a day and 58 hours a week.
- 1875- The Chimney Sweepers Act which stated that all chimney sweepers had to be registered with the police.
"Down With Child Labor"
A young man is protesting to end Child Labor.