Why did so many families in Brazil need their children to work instead of attend school the 1990s?

There is no evidence to support the idea that many families in Brazil needed their children to work instead of attend school in the 1990s. In fact, the Brazilian government has worked hard to increase access to education, including offering free public education, conditional cash transfer programs (Bolsa Família), and other financial incentives to families to keep children in school. Furthermore, primary and secondary education are compulsory and free in Brazil.