Question

why did businesses hire children?

a. to give them a skill

b. to pay them less than adults

c. to keep them off the street

d. to give them part - time jobs

Explanation:

In historical business contexts (especially during industrialization), businesses hired children mainly for economic reasons. Children could be paid lower wages than adult workers, which reduced labor costs. Option A is incorrect as businesses' primary motive wasn't skill - giving. Option C is not the main economic - driven reason for hiring. Option D is also incorrect as part - time jobs weren't the core reason; the wage difference was key.

Answer:

B. To pay them less than adults