Child Labor

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Recommended: Ethics of child labor

Child Labor

Child labor is one of the biggest issues around the world because it puts children in danger, it deprives them of an education, it is widespread and it's often hidden or invisible especially in agriculture, big industries and mines especially in poor countries.

In this document of child labor it's explained what the meaning of child labor is, why it exists, also why it is so widespread in poor countries. There are also examples of children working in deplorable conditions. This document also discusses the reason why parents send or allow their children to work in an environment as a result it finally mentions the possible solutions to end child labor.

Child labor is morally intolerable. It exists because it is the best response people can come up with to unacceptable circumstances. It is usually very dangerous because it involves of a child?s future well being. One of the other reasons child labor exists it is because an associated reduction in investment in the child?s human capital that occurs mostly because child labor interferes with education. (Udry, 2).

The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimated approximately 250 million children between the ages of five and fourteen. Child labor appeared in earlier ages in agricultures societies, but during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th. Child labor first appeared with the development of domestic systems. It was generally performed in England, America, and other countries. Many of these children worked in factories, mines and other horrible places. The problem begins when factories and mines employed children. They are forced to work long hours under dangerous conditions for little pay. They put up with abuse, starvation, and sometimes never being paid for their work. (Henne et al 2005)

In many countries, it is considered inappropriate or exploitative if a child below a certain age works, except for some household chores and of course schoolwork. An employer is often not allowed to hire a child below a certain age. This minimum age depends on the country. There is also no consideration for their safety or health.

Most of the very dangerous work that child laborers perform is Agriculture; especially in Latin America almost 250 million child laborers between ages 5 to 14 years old are estimated worldwide. Children usually work next to thei...

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...y should realize that it is in the best interest of their child not to work as working may put in danger the health and development of their child. In general, all the efforts must be directed towards the elimination of poverty. As a result, the world would be a better place for all children when they are brought up in a loving and caring environment and do not have to work and sweat right from the early stages of their lives.

References

A, O. Ajayi and D.O Torimiro. Early Child Development and Care

February 2004, vol. 174(2), pp 183-191

Chao, Elane L. Advancing the Campaign against Child Labor

Washington, DC U.S Department of Labor, 2002 vol. 2

Henne, Kurt, Maury, David. Combating the Worst Forms of Child Labor in

Bolivia 004468, winter 2005 vol. 32 EBSCO host

The Story of Child Labor

http://library.thinkquest.org/o3oct/01980/800

Nike and Child Labor

http://www.american.edu/ted/nike.htm

Udry, Christopher. Child Labor

Yale University, June 2003

http://ssrn.com/adstract=419862

What is Child Labor?

http://fieldsohope.org/homeroom/

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