The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word MINORS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
M
I
N
O
R
S
More clues leading to the result MINORS
- Under eighteens — those working underground, we hear
- Short periods of time for gathering men and children
- Hard workers, we’re told, who can’t vote?
- Reportedly, underground workers could be little ones
- Spooner’s children, close to docks
- Children wife defends having entered ring
- Rumour of underground workers and those unable to vote
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "children/children" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case children/children = minors.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does MINORS mean?
MINORS noun- A person who is below the age of majority, consent, criminal responsibility or other adult responsibilities and accountabilities.
- A subject area of secondary concentration of a student at a college or university, or the student who has chosen such a secondary concentration.
- Determinant of a square submatrix
- (British slang) A younger brother (especially at a public school).
- A small worker in a leaf-cutter ant colony, sized between a minim and a media.
- The term of a syllogism which forms the subject of the conclusion.
- (campanology) Bell changes rung on six bells.
- To choose or have an area of secondary concentration as a student in a college or university.