Medieval parents made immense sacrifices for their children, and seem to have expected little in return. Feeding a child consumed about 15 percent of average income, and parents often continued to support children throughout their adulthood. Older children often performed light work at home, but at just the age they might become a net economic asset – 13 or 14 – they were usually sent away to acquire skills and savings through apprenticeship or working in service. They may have remitted some of this income to their parents, but this was not standard, and in fact parents generally paid for their children’s apprenticeships.
Moving on
Late-Victorian era parents were notably more caring than in the earlier Victorian time described by Dickens. With some exceptions. Take Karl and Jenny Marx, for example.
Critique of the Gotha Programme-- Appendix
A general prohibition of child labor is incompatible with the existence of large-scale industry and hence an empty, pious wish. Its realization -- if it were possible -- would be reactionary . . ."
1875 - Karl Marx. The " Mature " Karl Marx
" How sad life has been all these years " - Suicide letter ending from Eleanor " Tussy " Marx. The eldest daughter and favourite child of her father.
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