Marius understood, to judge by their flight in the evening, by their terror, by those words of argot which he had heard, that probably these unfortunate things were carrying on also some of the secret trades of darkness, and that from all this the result was, in the midst of human society constituted as it is, two miserable beings who were neither children, nor girls, nor women, a species of impure yet innocent monsters produced by misery.

Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

During the first half of the 19th century, Paris experienced a combination of demographic factors which contributed to a highly perilous situation for children.

The lowest economic classes experienced the highest population growth: 1/32nd of the population of wealthier districts consisted of births, as compared to 1/26th of the poorer districts. Social critic H.A. Fregier supported a popular stereotype when he stated that "The poor and vicious classes always have been and always will be the most fertile." Vaccinations were far more effective and inexpensive, contributing to a higher infant mortality rate among all the classes, including the poverty-stricken.

Illegitimacy rates were exceptionally high. During the 1830s, rates of birth outside of wedlock averaged 30%. At the same time, charitable organizations began to redefine their mission and focused on serving as "defenders of the conservative trinity: family, property, and religion." Mothers with illegitimate children were generally denied aid. The result was a city teeming with families who could scarcely support a single child, yet were surrounded by far more than that. Consequently, some were introduced into the harsh world of child labor.

Many turned their children out on the street to fend for themselves, forming the gamin (commonly known as the street urchin) subculture of Paris. Approximately 260 homeless children were apprehended by police on a yearly basis. Other parents, frustrated by the deficiencies of their lifestyle, and perhaps blaming their offspring, resorted to physical abuse. Beatings were the rule rather than the exception, and were not subject to any legal doctrine: France's first legislation concerning child abuse in the home did not pass until the late 1880s. Finally, many, many parents opted to utilise their children to bring in an income.

Child prostitution was rampant in 19th century Paris, as daughters- frequently prepubescent- were forced into sexual encounters with bourgeouis men for as little as a single franc. The transactions were informal, and the girls tended to be taken to a dark alley or under a bridge; occasionally, a room in her own home became used for the purpose. As the majority of lower class prostitutes were not registered, no regulations concerning age of consent were enforced. Reports were rampant of businesses implicated in the selling of children. Police reports yield the example of florist stands in Toulon which were merely a front: the young girls that worked there, generally between the ages of 11 and 13 years old, would be deployed to the homes of wealthy patrons for "deliveries." Studies done at the time indicate that 81% of working prostitutes lost their virginity prior to their 16th birthday.