The Negative Effects Of Child Labor

Critical Thoughts Applied to World Issues Sarah Bodokh 345- TVH-TV

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WHEN CHILD LABOR CAN BE RESOLVED USING A MORAL THEORY Millions of children in developing countries all over the world are being exploited daily. “Many have referred to child labor as a triangular circle” (Grimsrud,F. & Stokke, M., 1997), this is because children, who are being forced to work are being deprived of an education

One of the major effects is the lack of education the children receive as a result of being child labourers. One may think that it is considered ethical if these children by working are helping their families. This may be true short term; however, these children in not receiving an education will be unable to acquire the skills learned in school, affecting both their present and future situation, as well as the fate of their offspring. “Because the majority of working children miss out on an education, the long-term effects of child labour could contribute to the Poverty Cycle, ultimately hurting more people than helping” (Mitchell Sharpe, 2013). According to article 32 of the Conventions on the Rights of the Child, child labour includes “any economic activities impeding or hindering the child 's full development or education.”

All children have the right to moral and physical development. According to the Geneva declaration of the rights of the child, “the child must be given the means needed for its normal development both materially and spiritually” (>). However, child labor deprives children of their education and limits their development which majorly affects their future, and gives them a very mild chance of success. The children are not able to develop their social skills, their knowledge, and their confidence to be able to go out into the world and be successful adults; evidently leaving them no choice but to continue living in poverty, thus creating a never-ending cycle of poverty. Applying the deontological approach, more specifically by using the main principle of Kant’s moral theory – the categorical imperative, there should be no justification for child labor. “The categorical imperative states that you should act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law” (Widdows, H. , 2011). Thus, if one could not rationally wish that child labor is universally required, then it is not an acceptable action. Do you want your own children to be labourers? Would you wish for your children to miss out on an education and childhood? Any rational person would not; therefore the action is always morally wrong. By