Question

Why were children put to work?
In the gilded age

Answer 1

Children were ideal employees because they could be paid less, were often of smaller stature so could attend to more minute tasks and were less likely to organize and strike against their pitiable working conditions.

Answer 2

Many of the children working in coal mines were basically forced to work in coal mines.  In an effort to help provide for their families, they were forced to work.  Businesses had the advantage of firing people as they pleased because of the high rate of people without jobs during the time.

I hope it was helpful! :)