Government and businesses that allowed bad working conditions for children went by the Laissez-faire theory. This theory basically was an attitude and a policy that thought it was better to let things take their own course without any interference from the government. They did not interrupt the workings of the free market with the Laissez-faire theory. The term for this theory originated in the year 1681. Translated to English the Laissez-faire means "let (it/them) do" or "let go."