The Effects of the Industrial Revolution on Women and the Family

The Industrial Revolution was full of improvements in technology, mass producing and factory manufacturing. This led to many job opportunities for women and children that were outside of their typical in-home jobs. 

Women worked in dangerous and disgusting working conditions during the Industrial Revolution. Women were payed less than men. Women worked in overcrowded environments such as the 129 women who died in the unsafe conditions of the Triangle shirtwaist factory. On the other hand, the Industrial Revolution was the start of women independence. Women were able to leave their homes, become socially active and join labor movements. Since women worked everyday, they gained enough money on their own to support both themselves and their children. 

Furthermore, child labor was one of the outcomes of the Industrial Revolution. Children were taken from their families and sent to work in dangerous conditions for cheap labor. Many children developed lifelong negative effects due to these horrible conditions and the workers taken advantage of them. However, children, who worked during the Industrial Revolution, were able to make more money and achieve greater economic benefits for survival. Childhood development was also increased because children were often on their own and very independent. They had to be away from their families and work in dangerous conditions.