Final answer:
Children were expected to do errands historically due to the economic necessity and societal expectations. The role of working-class children often included contributing to the family's income by working or doing errands to support their family and learning the values of hard work and responsibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of why children were expected to do errands can be understood by looking into the historical context. During the past, especially in working-class families, children contributed significantly to the family's income and were not only involved in attending school but also in economic activities due to their family's financial necessity. For instance, while middle-class women did not work for wages and focused on managing the household and educating their children on good manners and culture, working-class families often needed all members, including children, to contribute. These working-class children might attend school for a few years or learn at Sunday school, but would begin work in factories or do errands to help support the family.
Children learned through these experiences the values and skills needed in an adult world that was often dictated by economic necessity and societal expectations. The roles and duties assigned to them, such as doing errands, were part of the larger expectation for them to contribute to the needs of the society, which included supporting their family economically when required. Therefore, children were expected to do errands and engage in other work-related activities to alleviate the economic strain on their families and to learn the principles of hard work and responsibility.