The Extent of Child Employment in Britain

Abstract

Abstract This article reviews research which has been conducted in Britain over the last two decades which throws some light on the extent of part‐time employment by school children. Although no single study allows firm conclusions to be drawn, the general tendency of the results suggests that between two thirds and three quarters of children have some experience of paid employment by the time they reach the minimum school leaving age. Recent research by the authors in different parts of England and Scotland has produced broadly similar findings. It is concluded that child employment in Britain is a substantial enough phenomenon to warrant further investigation.