How Did Charles Dickens Portray how Children where Treated in the 19th Century?

The character 'David Copperfield' was a boy who grew up without a father and a loving environment. For the first few years of his life he enjoyed his childhood with his helpless mother Clara and his loving maid Peggotty. Along the ages of eight and nine his mother Clara found love in a stern man Mr Murdstone who soon after they got married invited his sister to stay and rule the household. Through out his life David had many unpleasant father figures like Mr Creatle his disfigured headmaster, who apparently was good friends with David's stepfather. Having no father made David confused. …