Question

Why were factory owners and managers willing to hire women and children during the Industrial Revolution?

Education was unimportant to children at this time in history.

Women and children had a more even work temperament.

Wages for women and children were less than a man’s wages.

To keep families together entire families were hired by owners.

Answer 1

Wages for women and children were less than a man’s wages.

Factory owners hired them mainly because they were cheaper labor (and often easier to control). Children could also do tasks requiring small hands and families needed the extra income, but the primary incentive for owners was lower pay.