What factor increased the value of children in agricultural societies?

The value of children in agricultural societies primarily increased due to the necessity of more hands for food production. In these societies, larger families were advantageous because children contributed significantly to farm labor. They helped in various aspects of agricultural work, including planting, harvesting, and tending to livestock. This labor was essential for sustaining the household and ensuring enough food was produced to meet the needs of the family and the community.

In agricultural contexts, children's labor not only increased the productivity of farming operations but also provided a form of economic security for families. As the agricultural economy relied heavily on manual labor, having more children often meant greater output and the ability to cultivate larger plots of land. This understanding of children's roles in the economic framework of agrarian societies underscores their increased value during those times.