R2119th

21. The role of urbanization in transforming cultural values and social relationships.

Mines Act 1842

The Mines Act of 1842 prohibited underground work for all women and boys under the age of ten. Due to urbanization, women found the need to work in order to survive. Many of them worked as laborers carrying coal along the narrow dark underground passages. Although they worked with the family unit for protection, they still suffered. After a day of hard labor, they had to take care of their children and the rest of the family. This suffering of women in these mines was investigated and diminished with the Mines Act. To a certain point, this new rule changed social relationships as they had more time to be at home, looking after their children, and the domestic life.

Mckay, John P., Bennett D. Hill, and John Buckler. __A History of Western society__. 7th ed. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003.