clil storia

Child exploitation

During The first industrial revolution

Sofia Limongi

Why are we talking about child exploitation in this historical period?

The first industrial revolution, which began in the second half of the 18th century, marked an epochal transformation in economic and social history. The introduction of new technologies, such as the mechanical loom and the steam engine, revolutionized the way goods were produced, greatly increasing production capacity and reducing costs. However, these advances brought with them serious social consequences, especially for the weakest sections of the population.

Why are we talking about child exploitation in this historical period?

The great desire for profit and the lack of regulations pushed factory owners to harshly exploit the workforce, often to the detriment of human dignity. Among those most affected by this dramatic situation were children, silent victims of an economic system that treated them as simple tools of labor.

Work in factories, mines and mills was alienating and put the physical and mental health of workers at risk, but for children the conditions were even worse.

What was the life of a worker like?

During this period, adult workers, without legal protection, were forced to endure work shifts that often exceeded 12-14 hours a day, in unhealthy and dangerous environments. Wages were very low and insufficient to support families, which often forced all members of the household, including the youngest, to contribute to the family income.

What was the role of children?

So children were one of the main victims of the industrial revolution. Their young age, small stature, and lack of political power to defend themselves made them an ideal target for employers, who employed them in dangerous, repetitive, and physically demanding jobs.

What was the role of children?

In textile factories, for example, children were often forced to squeeze between moving machinery to remove stuck threads, risking serious injury or even death. In mines, they were used to drag carts of coal through narrow passages, in conditions of darkness, unbreathable air, and extreme temperatures.

What was the role of children?

The work shifts, which lasted up to 12-16 hours a day, left little time for rest or recreation, depriving children of their childhood and condemning them to a life of suffering. The physical consequences were devastating: illnesses, bone deformities, blindness and respiratory diseases were common. Added to this was total educational neglect: many children grew up illiterate, unable to aspire to a better life, thus perpetuating the cycle of poverty and social marginalization.

Only through social and legislative battles was it possible to lay the foundations for a more equal society, in which the rights of workers and children began to be recognized and protected.

Conclusion

I think that the exploitation of children during the first industrial revolution represents one of the darkest pages of modern social history. They were treated inhumanely, they were forbidden to be what they were, that is, just children. Although the industrial revolution contributed to technological progress and economic development, the human cost was very high, especially for the most vulnerable.