{"product_id":"industrious-child-worker-child-labour-and-childhood-in-birmingham-and-the-west-midlands-1750-1900","title":"Industrious Child Worker: Child labour and childhood in Birmingham and the West Midlands, 1750-1900","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eThis book investigates the extent and nature of child labor in Birmingham and the West Midlands from the mid-eighteenth century to the end of the nineteenth century. It considers the economic contributions of child workers under the age of 14 and the impact of early work on their health and education. Parents regarded their children as potentially valuable contributors to the family economy, encouraging families to migrate from rural areas. The demand for young workers in Birmingham was greater than that for adults, and children's earnings were essential to the family economy. However, children's education and health could suffer due to working at harmful processes, injuries in the workplace, and ill-treatment from adult workers. Attitudes towards childhood changed over the period, with a greater emphasis on education for all children to reduce pauperism and dependence on the poor rate. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\\n                                                            \u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\\n                              \u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 256 pages\u003cbr\u003e\\n                              \u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 01 September 2021\u003cbr\u003e\\n                              \u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: University of Hertfordshire Press\u003cbr\u003e\\n                          \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStudies of child labor have examined the experiences of child workers in agriculture, mining, and textile mills, yet surprisingly little research has focused on child labor in manufacturing towns. This book investigates the extent and nature of child labor in Birmingham and the West Midlands, from the mid-eighteenth century to the end of the nineteenth century. It considers the economic contributions of child workers under the age of 14 and the impact of early work on their health and education.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChild labor in the region was not a short-lived stage of the early Industrial Revolution but an integral part of industry throughout the nineteenth century. Parents regarded their children as potentially valuable contributors to the family economy, encouraging families to migrate from rural areas so that their children could work from an early age in the manufacture of pins, nails, buttons, glass, locks, and guns as well as tin-plating, carpet-weaving, brass-casting, and other industries. The demand for young workers in Birmingham was greater than that for adults; in Mary Nejedly's detailed analysis, the importance of children's earnings to the family economy becomes clear, as well as the role played by child workers in industrialization itself. In view of the economic benefit of children's labor to families as well as employers, both children's education and health could and did suffer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs well as working at harmful processes that produced dangerous fumes and dust or exposed them to poisonous substances, children also suffered injuries in the workplace, mainly to the head, eyes, and fingers, and were often subjected to ill-treatment from adult workers. The wide gulf in economic circumstances that existed between the families of skilled workers and those of unskilled workers, unemployed, and low-income families, made it difficult for children to escape the cycle of poverty and exploitation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite the negative impact of child labor on children's health and education, it remained a common practice in Birmingham and the West Midlands throughout the nineteenth century. The Industrial Revolution brought about significant changes in the economy, leading to increased demand for labor and the emergence of new industries. Child workers were often employed in these industries because they were cheaper to employ than adults and could work longer hours without complaining. However, the conditions in which they worked were often hazardous and dangerous, and the wages they received were often low.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe exploitation of child labor in Birmingham and the West Midlands was not limited to the manufacturing sector. Children were also employed in agriculture, mining, and domestic service. In agriculture, they worked long hours in fields and barns, often under poor conditions and for low wages. In mining, they worked in dangerous conditions underground, often with little or no protective equipment, and were exposed to toxic substances. In domestic service, they worked long hours in households, often without proper food or rest breaks, and were subjected to physical and sexual abuse.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe impact of child labor on children's health and education was profound. Children who worked long hours were often tired and exhausted, which affected their ability to concentrate and learn. They were also more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses, such as respiratory problems and eye disorders, as a result of exposure to harmful substances and conditions. In addition, child labor often led to a lack of education, as children were often forced to work instead of attending school.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite the negative impact of child labor, there were some efforts to address it in Birmingham and the West Midlands. In the late nineteenth century, there was a growing awareness of the harmful effects of child labor on children's health and education. This led to the establishment of child labor laws and regulations, which aimed to protect children from exploitation and ensure that they had access to education and healthcare.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of the most significant achievements in the fight against child labor was the establishment of the Children's Act of 1893, which prohibited the employment of children under the age of 10 in factories and mines. This law was a significant milestone in the fight against child labor and paved the way for further legislation and regulations to protect children from exploitation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn addition to the establishment of child labor laws and regulations, there were also efforts to improve the conditions in which child workers worked. This included the provision of better education and training for child workers, as well as the establishment of safe and healthy working environments.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite these efforts, child labor remained a significant problem in Birmingham and the West Midlands throughout the twentieth century. The legacy of child labor continued to impact children's health and education, and the exploitation of children in industries such as agriculture, mining, and domestic service continued to be a problem.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn conclusion, child labor in Birmingham and the West Midlands was a pervasive and long-lasting phenomenon that had a profound impact on children's health and education. The exploitation of children in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and domestic service was a result of the economic benefits that parents and employers saw in employing them. Despite the negative impact of child labor, there were some efforts to address it, including the establishment of child labor laws and regulations and the improvement of working conditions. However, child labor remained a significant problem in Birmingham and the West Midlands throughout the twentieth century, and the legacy of child labor continues to impact children's health and education today.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\\n                            \u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 394g\\n                            \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 234 x 156 x 16 (mm)\\n                            \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781912260430\\n                            \\n                          \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mary Nejedly","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44098429878522,"sku":"9781912260430","price":15.16,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/industrious-child-worker-child-labour-and-childhood-in-birmingham-and-the-west-midlands-1750-1900","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}