The Effects of the Industrial Revolution Essays

The Effects of the Industrial Revolution Essays The Effects of the Industrial Revolution Essay The Effects of the Industrial Revolution Essay T The Industrial Revolution began in the eighteenth century marking the transformation of economic power and productivity. Not only was there concentration on agriculture, as their main source of an economy, and started to concern themselves with commerce, trade, and exploration of new technologies. Working toward great financial success to make a profit. Even though the machinery was new the main power source was human labor. Production took place in homes and small workshops. The primary labor force was drawn specifically to the young, as the industrial revolution began in semi-normal locations. The effects of the Industrial revolution were harsh on children, and it made people feel like all they were good for was work, during this economic crisis the economic conditions were harsh. During urban domesticity conditions children were less of an economic benefit and more of an economic burden. The families and the children that had to live threw this period did not see any economic or personal gain. Many children lost their families due to an insufficient economy poverty rates in. Families were forced to make irrational decision, giving up their children to go out and work at an early childhood. Children were used as cheap labor to earn their keep and received little to no pay. Children that were orphans were often used and treated worse than other children. With long and tough workdays that consisted of twelve to fourteen hours. Before labor laws were put into place countless accidents occurred. Many companies thought that using children were the best source of workers. Children were used as cheap labor to earn their keep. With their small bodies they were able to move around the chimneys and clean them well. The machines burned lots of fuel to operate which caused an increase of pollution. The soot was constantly in their clothes and hair and it was a way of living for them. Not knowing that they were breathing this soot would cause short and long term health problems in the future. Some short-term effects consist of irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Other symptoms can include headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions. Long-term health effects can contain chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. They worked and slept in poor conditions. The children paid their way through work. Education at this time was secondary and working was traditional and customary. Some of the children’s’ parents were concerned about them growing up without getting a decent education. The Authors facts tell how the children were treated during the industrial revolution. Blake states that at a young age children were being sold out of their families and used as very cheap labor services. It was during a time of industrial management. All the kids had were their dreams of a better economy, so they could go play freely, like children should. All they had were their dreams of a better tomorrow as long as they keep the faith and believe. He also stated in the poem that they were kept shaved and was continuously covered in soot from head to toe. For the owners of these companies and others investing in the industry hiring children was a plus and helped them save money. By hiring children to work these machines cut production times in half with the newer technology. Some thought this was teaching children the importance of work. The Industrial Revolution also ushered in a golden age for America. This would be considered the golden age until to government became involved and put labor laws for children into place. These laws limited the amount of hours children of certain ages could work. Children ranging from ages nine- thirteen were only allowed to work eight hours a day. Fourteen threw eighteen could work no more than twelve hours a day. Children under nine were not allowed to work at all. Education started to become more important than working and regulations were also placed on it. Children were required to attend school for no less than two hours during the day. Not just the employers thought that hiring children were a good idea. Parents would also have their children working to help contribute to the well-being of the family. Many people did not see a difference in children working in these factories verses for many years children worked on family farms and in family cottage industries. Many people don’t see having their children working on family farms or doing chores around the house as child labor, but as in lesions that will last you for the rest of you life. Others also think that it will teach the child to value and appreciate working. Stew stated â€Å"Now that I have my own children, I realize that assigning household tasks to their children and enforcing completion was actually pretty hard for my parents. We often gave them grief about doing our chores, argued, complained quit early and tried all manner of ways to avoid our duties. I am certain that in most cases, it would have been easier for my parents to just do the job for us. Now, I am so thankful that my parents taught us to work. The ability to work is the  first step to financial freedom and independence. When I get together with my brothers and sisters we often compare notes about how kind our employers have been to us most of the time. Over the years, there have been few complaints about our work in terms of effort, faithfulness, diligence and perseverance. In today’s society child labor and laws still exist. Child labor is not mostly conducted in other countries instead of the United States unlike in the industrial revolution. The term commonly used is called sweat shops. Sweatshops are a working environment considered to be unacceptably difficult or dangerous - especially by developed countries with high standard s of living. In many third world countries child labor is an own going problem. Countries such as Africa, China, Philippines, India, and Pakistan still condone the use of child labor. Just like in the industrial revolution theses sweatshops were put into place to lower their costs and increase profits. The environments in these sweatshops are very harmful and dangerous. Major corporations such as Nike, Sean John, Tommy Hilfiger, Walt Disney Company, and The Gap have had allegations or charges brought against them for having sweatshops. Articles appear in The New York Times with title such as The Factories of Lost Children, No Winners in Child Labor, and Technology; Technology’s Toxic Trash Is Sent to poor Nations. With headlines like these shows that child labor is exist and is a problem. The child labor laws in the United States have countless statutes and rules regulating the employment of a minor. Any child that is under the age of 18 in a variety of occupations is affected by the law. In many states that average age that a child can enter the work field is sixteen. Anyone under the age of sixteen has to obtain a work permit. Anyone who is under the age of eighteen on school nights can not work after eleven o’clock. Some see it as entering your child in talent shows, beauty pageants, and even having them on reality T. V. as a form of child labor. To create a synopsis of the views of child labor is a difference in teaching your child or others children skills that may last them for a life verses using them for your personal gain or profit. The United States may say that after the industrial revolution child labor has decreased or doesn’t exist in our country. Furthermore, they are right. It has been disguised into other forms, and placed somewhere else were these laws are not present, and the economic gain is enormous for the company and the country. They and we have to look at the bigger picture it is morally wrong, the environment is unhealthy and dangerous, and we are robbing the child of its innocents and being able to enjoy childhood in general. References 1854, By. Industrial Revolution - History. com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts. History. com - History Made Every Day - American World History. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . Bell, By The. Jon Kate Plus 8-Child Labor Laws? | Discussion Debate | Parents Connect. Parents Connect | Parenting Tips, Parent Advice Kids Recipes. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. Industrial Revolution. Welcome to Nettlesworth Primary School. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . Stew, By. Sometimes a Little Child Labor Is Good for Kids. Gather Little by Little Personal Finance with a Christian Perspective. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . Tonelson, By Alan. Sweatshop. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . nytimes. com/2006/03/25/opinion/25weber. html? _r=2ref=third_world_and_developing_countries nytimes. com/2004/04/08/opinion/l-no-winners-in-child-labor-121240. html? ref=third_world_and_developing_countries