ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the ways in which children's lives took shape in rural and urban environments in terms of work, school, and family life. It argues that some aspects of children's agency can be reconstructed while applying the child perspective to historical documents. The chapter introduces rural working-class families in Finland and discusses rural children in terms of work, practical training, and learning. It turns to the urban working classes and discusses children's work and education in an industrial setting. A combination of many children with rather weak physical strength, some primary skills, and a lot of time, turned into a significant resource in rural society. Gender division of labor was a structuring element of rural society, and it was considered important that girls and boys found their proper place in local society. In addition to herding, this resource was invaluable in picking berries, collecting firewood, fishing, and in helping adults in the field, cowshed, and garden.
