Final answer:
The devshirme system in the Ottoman Empire involved the recruitment of Christian boys to serve the state. Boys were educated, converted to Islam, and trained for various roles. Some parents saw this as an opportunity for their sons to advance in society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The act of selling children referred to in the question is known as the devshirme system in the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman agents recruited Christian boys as part of a tax imposed on their European subjects. Boys between the ages of eight and ten were taken to Istanbul to be educated, converted to Islam, and trained for various roles in the Ottoman state, such as scribes, palace administrators, or soldiers. Some parents even bribed Ottoman officials to select their children for this opportunity.
This practice was part of the Janissary system, which aimed to counter the power of Turkish nobles by including non-Turkish individuals in the ruling elite. Though the taking of children was met with resistance by some parents, others saw it as a means for their sons to advance in society. It is important to note that this practice occurred in a historical context and is no longer in existence today.