Child Labor and the Industrial Revolution free essay sample

This is an examination of social values and child labor reform during the Industrial Revolution and the Victorian Era. This paper talks about the roots of Child Labor Laws by examining the use of children as laborers beginning in the Middle Ages, through the Industrial Revolution and into the Victorian Era. It traces the abhorrent conditions these children faced, especially during the Industrial Revolution, where times where extremely difficult, through the Victorian Era the The National Child Labor Committee was formed, and strict laws were passed regarding children. These laws regulated and enforced working conditions, hours and ages that could be employed. From the paper: It was thought to be a benefit for children to work, so they could get a head start on building a life for themselves. Poor children could contribute to society by working, and through self-reliance and determinism could break free from poverty. The prevalent attitude was that the laissez-faire economic system had made America great, and that any interference in the natural way of things was unscientific, irrational, and unjust (Trattner, 1970: 32). We will write a custom essay sample on Child Labor and the Industrial Revolution or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Social Darwinism also supported child labor and the lack of regulation. Society valued individualism and self-reliance, and saw any regulation of industry as obstructing a natural process that should be allowed to progress free of restraints. Each person should try their hardest to get rich, and nobody should interfere with a persons right to accumulate wealth, even at the expense of others.