Children Before The Industrial Revolution

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Before the industrial revolution, it is evident that weavers worked at home, sharing the job among the whole family. It is also clear that it was very expensive just to weave the clothing and took a long time for it to happen as weavers used their hands and foot to go through the process rather the machinery. However, as the industrial revolution began, the factory system was introduced. Whilst people had to be skilled to weave before the revolution began, anyone was able to be employed in the textile mills as most work was done by machineries. Instead, many workers performed tasks that was often repetitive. As time went, the work in the industrial revolution got only easier. More machineries were introduced. First the flying shuttle, then …show more content…

The textile industry was able to employ workers that weren't experienced and still be successful at the same time.

Why were children employed and how was it related to family conditions?
When the industrial revolution began, children were seen as ideal employees. The factory owners were able to see the usefulness of children in his factory and families were often grateful for this opportunity (29). Unfortunately, families struggled to afford for their living as they just moved from the rural areas. Their workplace was taken, their house and everything they owned. For these reasons they were happy to send their children to work.

What were the expectations of children working in textile mills and what were the consequences if they went against …show more content…

They were expected to work same amount of time and follow the same instructions. However, when children made mistakes, it can be evident that their punishment was more harsher compared to adults. Whilst adults got cursed and for yelled at, children also got physically damaged. "Woodward and other overlookers used to beat me with pieces of thick leather straps made supple by oil, and having an iron buckle at the end, drew blood almost every time it was applied.” John Brown quoted in the “Lion” newspaper in 1828 (30). This primary source indicated the punishment children got. At the same time the reasons for these abuse was despicable. In an interview that occurred in 1849, an unknown women who worked in a cotton mill as a child stated “Sarah Golding was poorly and so she stopped her machine. James Birch, the overlooker, knocked her to the floor. She got up as well as she could. He knocked her down again. Then she was carried to her house…….she was found dead in her bed. There was another girl called Mary……she knocked her food can to the floor. The master, Mr. Newton, kicked her and caused her to wear away till she died. There was another, Caroline Thompson, who was beaten till she went out of her mind. The overlookers used to cut off the hair of any girl caught talking to a lad. This head shaving was a dreadful punishment. We were more afraid of it than any other punishment for girls

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