Economic Incentives:
- Low wages: Children were paid significantly lower wages compared to adults. This allowed factory owners to minimize labor costs and maximize profits.
- Small hands: Children often had smaller hands and were considered better suited for certain tasks that required dexterity, such as operating delicate machinery.
- Long working hours: Factories operated for extended periods, and children were willing to work these hours, contributing to higher productivity.
Social and Cultural Factors:
- Labor demand: The rapid industrialization and urbanization led to a high demand for cheap labor, and children from poor families were readily available.
- Family poverty: Many families were impoverished, and parents had no choice but to send their children to work to supplement the family income.
- Lack of education: Compulsory education was not enforced until later in the 19th century, and many children lacked access to formal education. Factory work was often seen as an alternative to education for children from lower-income families.
- Cultural beliefs: There was a widespread belief at the time that work would instill discipline, character, and practicality in children. Child labor was viewed as a way to teach children responsibility and contribute to their upbringing.
- Apprenticeships: Some children were employed as apprentices, where they could learn a trade or craft while working in the factories. However, these apprenticeships were often exploitative and did not provide adequate protection or training.
It's important to note that the employment of children in Victorian factories was characterized by poor working conditions, long hours, and limited rights, leading to widespread exploitation and suffering. This eventually sparked reforms and labor laws aimed at improving the welfare and protection of children in the workforce.