The factory owners justified their absence of payroll by saying that they gave the orphans food, shelter, and clothing, all of which were far below par

The people who the children served would beat them, verbally abuse them, and take no consideration for their safety

were subject to beatings and other harsh forms of pain infliction

overseer would tie a heavy weight to worker's neck, and have them walk up and down the factory aisles so the other children could see them and "take example." This could last up to an hour.

Boys were sometimes dragged naked from their beds and sent to the factories only holding their clothes

Factory owners loved child labor, and they supported their reasoning with ideas that it was good for everything from the economy to the building of the children's characters

The first step to improving conditions was in 1833 with the Factory Act passed by Parliament

he children were to attend school for no less than two hours during the day.

said the government would appoint officials to make sure the act was carried out and complied with

In rural areas, children would have worked long hours with hard work for their families farms, but in the cities, the children worked longer hours with harder work for large companies. Harsher treatment, fewer rewards and more sickness and injury came from poorly regulated child labor.