The Factory Acts were several attempts to improve working conditions without compromising profit for the middle and upper classes. In 1833, the act amended laws regarding child labor. It was made illegal for children under 9 to work in factories. Employers nended to have an age certificate for their child workers. Children of 9-13 years could work no more than nine hours a day. Children ages 13-18 years could work no more than 12 hours a day. Children could not work at night. Furthermore, children were required to have two hours of schooling each day and four factory inspectors were expected to enforce these guidelines. However, child abuse and exploitation did not end due to the act. In Mary Barton, we see the terrible conditions focused on the adults of the community, but also how the conditions of the home and work for the adults reflects back on the children at home. The Davenport family is the lowest working class family the reader experiences; however, the children of the Davenport family are remarked as "too young to work, but not too young to be cold and hungry" (97). The children of the working class are still neglected through the struggles and become a burden if they are too young to work. If they can work, the evidence of this act shows that the children may not be better off and could be exposed to more mistreatment, disease, and dangerous conditions.

Gaskell, Elizabeth. Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life. Edited by Jennifer Foster, Broadview Literary Texts, 2000.

“1833 Factory Act.” The National Archives, The National Archives, 23 Sept. 2021, https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/1833-factory-act/.