what jobs did children do in the 19th century?

Question

children in the 19th century had no choise but to work. what kind/sort of jobs did they do?

Answer 1

Agriculture mostly but same as adults and as long of hours.

Answer 2

Children worked in mines until shortly before the turn of the century and also in factories. In the textile factories, they changed the spindles and did other hazardous work. Most worked ten hour days. Other jobs children did included selling newspapers (newsies) and bootblacks and chimney sweeps. Climbing boys (employed by chimney sweeps) often got burned and suffered from black lung from inhaling soot. Some actually broke limbs when they lost their footing and fell down the chimneys.

Children who worked on farms had it lucky. Days were shorter and food was fairly plentiful. Most were also employed by their parents who took better care of them.

Answer 3

They did everything from agriculture, to coal mining, to factory work. They worked long hours with no or very minimal breaks just like the adult population and had no rights, just like the adult population.

Answer 4

They also worked in factories. Look at "The History Place" on-line and you will find a whole article about it.

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/childlabor/