During the years of 1860-1890, the family worked collectively as a unit to increase their overall wage economy. Over these years, the development of the capitalist industry in Montreal transformed the city from a centre of commerce to the “Workshop of Canada” (Bradbury 31). Economic transformation therefore interacted dialectically with family needs reshaping the labour market, the family economy and the life course of children (Bradbury pg 220). Furthermore, The Workshop recognized as Montreal had an extensive array of industries including shoe making and water transportation (Bradbury). Throughout the majority of the period, skilled workers had additional flexibility in their budget where the unskilled did not. In order to contribute to
…show more content…
The major element of flexibility in the family income, lay not so much in the gains that organisation could offer, but in the ability to call on additional family members to earn wages (Bradbury pg. 217). Overall the increase of additional workers was an important asset to the family. The total amount of family workers increased from an average of under two at this stage in 1861 to nearly three a decade later (Bradbury pg. 218) Children’s wages were essential as they became the family’s major source of security therefore would make up for the difficult years being faced by the family. Consequently, parents had difficulty keeping their children, the wage earners, in the household for a long period of time. Specifically for the reason that sons or daughters leave home to work or marry. The addition of wage earners was vital during the working class economy where the most dramatic changes occurred. Unskilled workers had a very difficult time the period before their children were old enough to work. Developing strategies was key for the overall survival of the family and their income. Bradbury explains this struggle when Harrington’s children where under ten, and he had to take in boarders. Any money these extra household members contributed would help compensate for John’s low wages. The strategy of introducing additional wage earners was critical …show more content…
The expansion in the labour market created overall stability to the family wage economy. Trade in the metal working industry was lifeless during the winter of 1878 resulting in desperate workers. Half the local unionised workers were said to be “working at any kind of labouring work (Bradbury 33). Small yet effective strategies as this one created a wage earning opportunity that was vital for the family wage economy to survive. Families struggled to shape their own economies by adjusting the number of wage earners once possible. Supplementary earners were used by all divisions of the working class and influenced the city’s labour pool (Bradbury
The major element of flexibility in the family income, lay not so much in the gains that organisation could offer, but in the ability to call on additional family members to earn wages (Bradbury pg. 217). Overall the increase of additional workers was an important asset to the family. The total amount of family workers increased from an average of under two at this stage in 1861 to nearly three a decade later (Bradbury pg. 218) Children’s wages were essential as they became the family’s major source of security therefore would make up for the difficult years being faced by the family. Consequently, parents had difficulty keeping their children, the wage earners, in the household for a long period of time. Specifically for the reason that sons or daughters leave home to work or marry. The addition of wage earners was vital during the working class economy where the most dramatic changes occurred. Unskilled workers had a very difficult time the period before their children were old enough to work. Developing strategies was key for the overall survival of the family and their income. Bradbury explains this struggle when Harrington’s children where under ten, and he had to take in boarders. Any money these extra household members contributed would help compensate for John’s low wages. The strategy of introducing additional wage earners was critical …show more content…
The expansion in the labour market created overall stability to the family wage economy. Trade in the metal working industry was lifeless during the winter of 1878 resulting in desperate workers. Half the local unionised workers were said to be “working at any kind of labouring work (Bradbury 33). Small yet effective strategies as this one created a wage earning opportunity that was vital for the family wage economy to survive. Families struggled to shape their own economies by adjusting the number of wage earners once possible. Supplementary earners were used by all divisions of the working class and influenced the city’s labour pool (Bradbury