The Industrial Revolution

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Conditions of laborers and the role of women in society has been constantly evolving over the course of history. However, these two major groups experienced the most drastic alterations during the Industrial Revolution. Between the 19th and early 20th centuries, laborers diversified in age, while labor conditions declined. During this same time period, the role of women was reinvented as females searched for work and changed their role within the family.

To begin, industrialization was the instigator of mass factory production across the globe. The increase in factories meant the increase of job opportunities. Since poverty was rampant at this time, a mass of people looked to the factories in search of work, even though factory owners payed them so little. “Low as these wage rates were, they were nonetheless much more than these paupers could earn in any field open to them (Hessen, 105).” The people searching for work were men, women and children alike, however the most common factory worker at this time was the child. “Factory children went to work at the insistence of their parents (Hessen, 106).” Because of the overall lack of income of poor families, there was seldom any other choice for parents except to send their children to work in order to earn enough money to survive. This unfortunate truth eventually lead to factory managers taking advantage of their minor workers.

Working conditions for young children as well as women and men declined during the first half of the industrial revolution. “...whether a worker was employed in a textile factory (the most extreme case) or a small workshop, he suffered a marked deterioration of his life at work – the obvious consequence of the quickening pace of industrialization (Hopkins, ...

... middle of paper ...

...ontinue to benefit all workers of all age and gender. The woman of the industrial revolution were the instigators of a woman's rights movement that has lead to the equality of women in today's society.

Works Cited

Hessen, Robert. "The Effects of the Industrial Revolution on Women and Children." Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal 105-111. Web. 25 Sept 2009. .

Hopkins, Eric. "Working Hours and Conditions During the Industrial Revolution: A Re-Appraisal."Economic History Review 35.1 (1982): 52-66. Web. 1 Oct 2009. .

Oxley, Deborah, and Stephen Nicholas. "The Living Standards of Women during the Industrial Revolution, 1795-1820." Economic History Review46.4 (1993): 723-749. Web. 25 Sept 2009. .

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