Chrysalis, it has always been the case. It is only industrialisation which has released children from labour. And it is only the industrial child labour that people seem to object to.
Having children working long hours in the fields in an agrarian economy doesn't seem to attract the same opprobrium. It usually is regarded as cute, or even a fortunate situation, out in the fresh air and sunshine, 18 hours a day in summer ..... and eight hours a day in the cold winter sleet .... but as soon as the child "progresses" to a factory; disgraceful!
But a necessary step to build a society wealthy enough to be able to afford universal education and health for children.
