This work investigates the systemic devaluation of children in British society between 1860 and 1918, arguing that they were historically treated as economic assets or objects of exploitation rather than autonomous individuals. Lionel Rose, a noted social historian, utilizes a wide array of primary source materials, including parliamentary reports, court records, and contemporary journalism, to construct his argument. He examines the transition of childhood status through the lens of industrialization, legislative reform, and changing social attitudes during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. The text provides a rigorous analysis of how institutional and domestic structures reinforced the marginalization of the young.

Historians frequently cite this text as a foundational study for understanding the evolution of child welfare policies in Britain. Scholars note the extensive use of archival data, which provides a comprehensive view of the social conditions faced by children during this period.