Child Labour
During the time of Queen Victoria, Britain went through a lot of changes. More people were working in factories and moving into the growing cities. Conditions in the factories were very bad and children had to work long hours in very dangerous jobs. Some factories bought children from orphanages and workhouses. Children were often taken from workhouses without their parents knowing. If they were late for work children would be punished and money would be taken off their pay. For many families who could not afford a clock, this made life very difficult. In some factories, workers were not allowed to carry watches, and many suspected this was to cheat them of their wages.
Conditions were so bad, that some children tried to run away. If they got caught, they were often sent to prison, and children who were caught were placed in leg irons.
