Children in the victorian timesChildren at work

It was an avantage to resort to child labour because children were paid very little due to

they were younger. Moreover, it was easier for certains jobs because of their sizes such as

chimney sweeping.

Children worked on farms in homes as servants and in factories. Children often did jobs that

required small size and nimble fingers.

But they also pushed heavy coal trucks along tunnels in coal mines.

Boys went to sea as boy-sailors and girls went « into services » as house maids.

Children worked on city streets selling things such as flowers, matches and ribbons.

Crossing boys swept the roads clean of horse-dung and rubbish left by the horse that pulled

cats and carriages.

Working ConditionsThe chimney sweeping's work was dangerous

and painful, some boys got stuck and died of suffocation. Children worked long hours and sometimes had to carry out some dangerous jobs working in factories. Moreover, in textile mills, children were made to clean machines

while the machines were kept running and there were many accidents. Many children lost

fingers in the machinery and some were killed crushed by the huge machines.

Improvements for the children's working conditions

1832 : The use of boys for sweeping chimneys was forbidden by law

1833 : The Factory Act was made law. It's was now illegal for children under 9 to be employed

in textile factories.