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Children carrying loads of clay in the brickyards of the English Midlands, 1871
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Children carrying loads of clay in the brickyards of the English Midlands, 1871
Children carrying loads of clay in the brickyards of the English Midlands, 1871. It was estimated that at this time there were between 20, 000 and 30, 000 children from 5 to 16 at work in British brickyards. Illustration from The Graphic (London, 27 May, 1871)
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Media ID 14840861
© Ann Ronan Picture Library / Heritage-Images
Brick Brickmaking Brickworks Brickyard Carrying A Heavy Load Child Labour Childhood Clay Employment Exploitation Ragged Rags Shoeless Ann Ronan Pictures Barefoot Metaphor Wood Engraving
EDITORS COMMENTS
This powerful print captures the harsh reality of child labor in the brickyards of the English Midlands in 1871. The image shows a group of children, barefoot and dressed in ragged clothes, carrying heavy loads of clay on their small shoulders. Their young faces display a mixture of determination and exhaustion, reflecting the burdens they carry both physically and emotionally. The photograph serves as a haunting reminder of the concept of poverty during this time period, where thousands of children between the ages of 5 to 16 were forced into hard labor instead of enjoying their childhoods. It highlights the exploitation that these vulnerable individuals faced as they worked tirelessly to support themselves and their families. The brickworks industry was booming during this era, with buildings being constructed at an unprecedented rate. However, behind these grand structures stood countless children who sacrificed their well-being for economic progress. This image acts as a metaphor for not only the physical weight these children carried but also symbolizes the heavy burden placed upon them by society's indifference towards their plight. It is a stark reminder that even in an age marked by progress and development, there were those left behind - trapped within cycles of poverty and exploitation. As we look upon this historical photograph today, it serves as a solemn testament to our collective responsibility to protect every child's right to education, safety, and freedom from exploitative work practices.
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