Why Is Child Labor Important In The Victorian Era

Child Labor of the Victorian Era

The Victorian Era was a time period from 1837 to 1901 in which Queen Victoria was in power. During this time, so much went on that influenced the world today, as it will in the world tomorrow. Also many things were taken advantage of during this period. One main thing that occurred during this time period that was highly taken advantage of is child labor. Child labor was experienced by many famous people, such as Charles Dickens in the years of the Victorian Era.
Since most children started working from ages 6-7, they did not know right from wrong and what was a normal working life. Throughout this period of time, child labor had many ways to be taken advantage of by others. First, “…in the 1830’s… philanthropists desired a low cost solution that would isolate poor children”(Bates). What this means is, since children could be paid less money than adults, factories and workplaces were willing to hire children over adults. Not only was this cheaper, but more money for the workplace to draw in. Another reason that can be supported by the first, is that children would not fight
One instance in which this happened during the Victorian Era was by a man named Edwin Chadwick. “The victory of the Whigs in the turbulent election of 1830 provided Chadwick with his opportunity”(Brundage). Through this Chadwick was able to express his opinion. Chadwick, and the Whigs, believed that child labor should be abolished and did every possible thing needed to prove it should happen. His idea for a new law was that “the… Factory Act abolished all labor for children under the age of nine and limited it to eight hours per day for those aged nine to thirteen”(Brundage). After a study by the government this was approved. This had its ups and downs though because it didn’t abolish child labor, but it decreased deaths, illnesses, and gave time for at least some