Take a good look at faery art and photographs. Observe the extreme youth of many of the subjects. Perhaps it is meant by the artist or photographer, to be a reflection on the innocence of childhood. For these children, nothing could be further from the truth.

Many families, desperate for money, find employment for their children at an early age. Employers hire these children eagerly, paying a fraction of adult pay, and have them work long hours in appalling, dirty, sometimes dangerous conditions. Their wages, less than an adult would make, help in the short term, but working prevents them from getting any further education. These children will be stuck in the same low-paying, unskilled jobs for the rest of their lives.

Think on that the next time you see a painting of a pink-cheeked, smiling, flower-garlanded faery child. Things are not always as they are made to appear.