Standard of Living:
The most prominent change was increased urbanization. People shifted from rural areas to cities searching for work in factories. This led to overcrowding and poor sanitation, resulting in disease outbreaks and an increase in mortality rate.
Working Hours:
In urban centers, the factory system created jobs with set working hours. This provided a regular income and a sense of stability for many. People no longer had to rely solely on seasonal or agricultural work.
Wages:
On average, wages increased slightly during this time. However, the cost of living also rose due to the influx of people in urban areas. In essence, the purchasing power of working-class families didn't increase significantly.
Working Condition:
Working conditions in factories and other industrial settings were typically harsh and often involved long hours in dangerous and unhygienic environments. Workers were often exposed to hazardous materials, machinery accidents, and poor ventilation. Safety regulations and labor rights, which came later in the 1800s, were absent.
Health and Welfare:
Medical care and social safety nets for workers were generally limited during this period. Workers had limited access to medical care, and unemployment or illness could result in severe hardship for families.
Housing and Sanitation:
Overcrowded housing and poor sanitation, especially in quickly expanding industrial cities, led to health problems and the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhus.
Child Labor:
The use of child labor was common in factories and mines. Children were paid less and were often subjected to dangerous and exploitative working conditions. However, there was a growing movement, led by social reformers and labor activists, to address child labor abuses and improve working conditions.
Overall, the standard of living for working-class families in England during the Industrial Revolution had both positive changes, like steady income and urbanization, and negative changes, such as poor working conditions, overcrowded housing, and health risks.
