Child Labor - The use of children in industry or business.
Children mainly worked to earn money for their family. Many families did not allow their children to attend school. Working at a young age was normal during the time Children were useful, because their small size allowed them to work in small spaces where adults weren't able to fit. They were easier to control, and seemed less likely to strike. They were also paid less than adults.
Children working in the factories faced injuries from the quick running machinery. Arms, legs, fingers and other body parts could get caught easily. Children were treated unfairly and cruelly. They were beaten, and weren't provided with enough food. There was only one break time in the 19 hours they worked. The unclean environment that was filled fumes and toxins caused illness, and disease. By 1900, over 2 million children under the age of 16 were employed
Many people were against child labor, and the fact that underage children were working all day with machinery in poor, working conditions, with no education. Laws and acts were passed to prevent employment of underage children and limited the number of working hours.