Answer:
Child labor remained common for decades due to several reasons:
- Economic necessity: Many families, especially those from poor and immigrant backgrounds, needed the extra income to survive. Children were seen as a source of additional income, as they could be employed at lower wages than adults.
- Lack of education and job opportunities: Education was not widely available, and many children did not have the skills or qualifications for better-paying jobs. This led to a reliance on child labor to support their families.
- Industrialization and urbanization: The rapid growth of industries and cities created a high demand for labor. Children were seen as a cheap and expendable workforce, which made them attractive to employers.
- Limited government regulation: Laws regulating child labor were often weak, difficult to enforce, or ignored by employers. This allowed child labor to persist despite growing criticism.
- Cultural and social norms: In some cultures, child labor was seen as a way to teach children responsibility and prepare them for adulthood. This cultural acceptance contributed to the persistence of child labor.
- Poverty and lack of social safety nets: Many families lived in poverty and lacked access to social services, healthcare, and education. Child labor was seen as a means to survive in these difficult circumstances.
