Why did businesses hire children in the 19th century?

In the 19th century, businesses hired children primarily due to their ability to work for lower wages than adults, making them an economical labor source. Children were often employed in factories, mines, and as street vendors, where they could perform tasks that required small hands or were less physically demanding. Additionally, the lack of child labor laws at the time allowed businesses to exploit this cheap labor without facing legal repercussions. Economic necessity for families also drove many children into the workforce to help support their households.