The Industrial Revolution marked a very important time in history. During this time, several important changes were made. Life for people during this time was turned upside down as they were forced to adapt to their new lifestyles brought about by industrialization. The introduction of factories meant a dramatic change in work for the workers during the Industrial Revolution. Prior to factories, most workers were farmers on small-scale farms. With the introduction of factories, however, these farmers were forced to switch occupations. Instead of doing what they had been for several years, they were forced to work in a new environment under extremely different conditions than what they were used to. The workers no longer had control of their lives. Instead, factory managers imposed strict discipline upon the workers. Prior to the introduction of factories, farmers enjoyed leisure time. During this time the farmers would relax and enjoy themselves. The long hours of factory working were new and unusual to the workers. They were not used to having such demanding jobs which required them to work for hours on end with little or no leisure time. Additionally, their work no longer reflected the pace of the seasons, as it did when they were farming. This meant that they worked all year round, which was a new concept to them.
The concept of family changed dramatically during this time. Prior to industrialization most families worked in close proximity to one another. Jobs in families were oftentimes interconnected and dependent upon one another. Factory work, however, separated the family, as it was highly unlikely that an entire family would work together. Factory work for children was brutal; children oftentimes were forced to work under strict supervision for incredibly long hours. These conditions led to a deterioration in family life during the Industrial Revolution. During this time there was a dramatic movement of the rural population to cities.
