Child labor in the U.S. and around the world - Research Paper Example

?Wendi San Eco110G 04.22 CHILD LABOR IN THE U.S AND AROUND THE WORLD Introduction The idea of using children to make both domestic and industrial work has faced major protests in the recent years. Human rights watch dogs and other non-governmental institutions have risen up in arms against those entities and countries that still advocate for child labor. In as much as this practice is a global practice, the United States and China have been accused lately of not doing enough to curb the inhumane practice. According to an article carried in New York Times, child labor is promoted by aspects such as poverty, some cultural practices, and lack of alternative micro-economic activities (Preston p.3). As a result, economic disparity between the rich and the poor has pushed many children out of school in a bid to secure some income for their families. It is currently estimated that there are 215 million child laborers globally. Of this total, 114 million (53%) are in Asia and Pacific, 14 million (7%) are in Latin America, and 65 million (30%) are in sub-Saharan Africa (ilo.org). These working conditions violate the minimum age laws in the affected and involve abuse such as child trafficking, forced labor, and illegal activities. Children providing labor are deprived the opportunity to engage in children activities such as play and education. Child labor is fuelled by rising cases of poverty, which forces children to look for alternative sources of income. This draws them to provide labor especially in commercial agriculture, mining, domestic service, manufacturing, and fishing. Illegal activities involving child labor include prostitution, child soldiers, and drug trafficking. In this research paper, I seek to explore on the child labor as a practice. My primary objective is to indicate that child labor is both inhumane and less significant to economic growth and development and, therefore, should be discouraged at all costs. What is child labor? Child labor refers to work done by children under the age of 18 years that either harms them or keeps them from going to school. The age limit below which a person is considered as an underage varies from one country to the other. For example, in United States of America, any person who is below 21 years is considered a child. On the other hand, in sub-Saharan Africa this age stands at 18 years in most countries. This age is normally enshrined in the law of a given country and employers are expected to consider it when providing employment opportunities. Nonetheless, employers capitalize on the cheap labor provided by children leading to abuse and exploitation. This development has triggered many international human rights organizations to protest about the practice as it is both inhumane and exploitative (Whittaker, 2004, p. 13). History of Child Labor in U.S Child labor in the US dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries when children provided labor in family farms, industries, mines, and plantations. This was most rampant during the industrialization process when industries needed large labor supply. Industrialization implied that adult strength was no longer a per-requisite to the operation of the machines (Child Labor in U.S. History). Factory owners realized that they could effectively and economically utilize the services of children in their factories in order to cut down on the cost of production. This is because hiring children was much cheaper as compared to hiring adults (Hindman 25). Plantation farming and mining were other economic sectors attracting child labor. By the mid of 19th century, child labor was widespread across the world. Children were used mainly to provide labor in farms and factories. Most of these children worked for estimated 12-18 hours per day, six days a week, as a way of earning income. In addition, it most of these children began working before they attained the age of 10 years. They engaged in activities such as tending of machines in spinning meals or hauling heavy loads. At this time, most of the factories had not implemented safety and health standards in their premises. They were often damp, dirty and dark. The shocking unfolding is that some of these children were forced to work in underground coal mines (Schlemmer 99). Further statistics indicate that more than 2 million school-age children were engaged in labor as by 1810. Most of them came from poor families where parents who could hardly support their children turned them over to the factory owner or mill owner. These children worked for estimated 50-70 hours per week. Consequently, from 1802 to 1878, a series of laws were gradually instituted with an aim of shortening the working hours, improve working conditions, and also raise the age limit for children to provide industrial labor. Nonetheless, it took several years before this practice was finally declared as illegal. American states under British rule passed a law that demanded that children must have some level of schooling before engaging in work. By 1899, 27 other states joined in regulating child labor. The factories that majorly utilized child labor included glass factories, agriculture, domestic industries, peddlers, and office messengers (Rivera 35). Child labor continuously caused mixed reactions in America over the years and as recent as the 20th century. In 1988, congress passed Fair Labor Standards Act that fixed age limits at 16 (minimum age for working during school hours), 14 (for a number of jobs after school), and 18 years for jobs that could cause harm (Hugh 5). It is estimated that over 150,000 children work illegally on farms in the USA (Levine, PP. 40). This happens with disregard to Child Labor Laws passed by congress to protect children from exploitation in the labor market. The Fair Labor Standards Act prohibits employment of children below 12 years in non-agricultural jobs. The act allows children between 12 and 16 years to be employed for limited hours to allow them to attend school (Nesi, 38). These children can work for limited hours outside school-going hours with the permission of their parents. Children aged between 16 and 18 can provide labor in non-hazardous occupations for unlimited hours. Argument on effects of child labor The decision as to whether children should be allowed to work or not has elicited mixed emotions among concerned parties. Some argue that it should be permitted to go on but with some form of regulations. On the other hand, there are those who insist that using children to provide labor is akin to human abuse, exploitative, and therefore unacceptable. Using children to provide labor has extreme and pro-longed implications on them. To start with, child labor increases illiteracy levels thus promoting a cyclic form of generational poverty. Child labor contributes immensely to the continuation of poverty from one generation to the next as it impedes schooling of children who could, otherwise, reverse the trend of poverty. It is undoubtedly evident that a parent who has never attended school would not see the benefits of their children attending school. Such a parent would prefer an easier way out, where they send their children to do menial works just to increase the family income. In the event, these children, just as their parents, grow up as semi-skilled and illiterate adults (UNICEF - Child protection from violence, exploitation and abuse). In view of their employment status, they end up being regarded as either unemployed or underemployed. Poverty of the parents then compels them to ask their own children to begin working prematurely, thus putting the future of their children into jeopardy. The bottom line of is that child labor denies children the opportunity to access education, leading to deficiency in the necessary knowledge and skill required for acquisition of better jobs during adulthood. The second impact of child labor is that it harms the development of the child physically, mentally and socially. Strenuous activities especially physically coupled with absence of the proper nutrition may give a leeway for stunted growth. Some children have gone as far as losing vital organs due to accidents in the work place and are therefore rendered permanently handicapped (Joyner 123). Also, children working in environments that are depressing end up enduring much of emotional abuse. They are denied the opportunity to adequately socialize in their peer group. From the various researches carried out, it has been found out that the child laborers often lack the stimulation of their mental capabilities. Furthermore, their self-esteem and activities always wants due to the compromise brought about by the work they do (Stearman 57). As such, these children are always forced by circumstances to dig their own graves of poverty. Child labor increases the rate of unemployment among the adult population. In addition, it leads to the reduction in the bargaining power of workers as children would accept even a wage that is far below the minimum wage rate. As such, it is a common phenomenon to find out that most of the parents of these child laborers are either unemployed or underemployed. Employers prefer children because they are easily to manage in addition to having higher compliance levels unlike their adult compatriots. Most of the child laborers are also less aware of their rights and thus are less likely to bargain for wage increment or protest against work harassment and brutality. Moreover, the child laborers have effectively managed to snatch away the bargaining power of most of the adult employees. This is so because any adult employee demanding for wage increment could easily be sacked and their place be given to a child laborer who would not demand for much pay (Rivera 87). Some proponents of child labor argue out that it is beneficial in so far as rapid economic growth is concerned. For example, Uzbekistan is the second largest cotton exporting country in the world. Child labor contributes to over 50 percent of labor used to harvest the cotton. Clothing produced in Bangladesh and footwear in Philippines has attracted a large number of child workers in the industries. Agricultural production such as cocoa in Ivory Coast and orange farms in Brazil also receive high numbers of child workers (Bagchi 69). This has helped increase productivity of these industries, which have become leading producers in the world. These industries are labor intensive and the existence of child workers covers the labor gap required for maximum production. Conversely, child labor can be considered pervasive in that impoverished families can meet their basic needs from income provided by their families. Most children engaging in child labor come from very poor households and their earning help sustain the household. Working children help their siblings acquire education by providing the necessary requirements for school and providing food and shelter. Some of the children develop to become skilled and experienced workers in their respective industries, which improves their living conditions. Problem In 1938, the US congress passed Fair Labor Standards Act that set sixteen years as the minimum age at which a person can commence working in factories. Unfortunately, the problem of child labor still exists to date. In most scenarios, child slave labor comprises of immigrants who are normally promised benefits such as job or education once they arrive in United States. However, this is rarely the case as most of them find themselves working in jobs that are unsuitable for minors (Gove). Following a raid conducted by Global March against Child Labor in 2012, fourteen children who were aged between 8 to 14 years were rescued from a sweatshop in New Delhi. These children were often forced to work for an average period of 15 hours per day in small and poorly ventilated spaces. They used to make seasonal gifts and decorations that were sold both within and without the American border (WOOD). The above case forms only a fraction of millions of children who, based on the findings of United Nations, are trafficked into forced labor every year. According to recent estimates, there are 215 million laborers across the globe that has not attained an age of 18 years. Of these labors, approximately half of them work under hazardous conditions. Essentially, child labor is still popular in the current society especially in the production of goods such as decorations, clothing, shoes, jewelry, fashion accessories and toys (WOOD). In some of these industries, children are forced to do hard labor such as weaving carpet, hauling heavy loads and arranging loaded packages. In addition, most of children are employed in informal sectors as opposed to industrial and commercial sectors. Therefore, this means that a majority of child laborers end up being exploited without the knowledge of the government and other human rights organizations who could offer some sought of protection. Causes of child labor Most children are driven to work under the instructions of their parents. This is especially the case in most part of Asia and Africa. Studies carried out indicate that 62 percent of child laborers attribute their predicament to the driving force from their parents. Only 8 percent of them enter job market voluntarily. As a matter of fact, most parents from developing countries prefer having more children because they serve to complement the family income. In other words, children are perceived to be of much economic importance in developing world rather relative to the developed nations (Hugh 154). The other reason that drives children into seeking employment is challenges associated with schooling. It is undeniable that poverty has rendered education inaccessible in most of these countries. Efforts to strike a balance between learning and searching for some income to cater for school fees proves a daunting tasks for a majority of the students. The eventuality of the unfolding is that most children end up giving up on their education so as to seek income to meet their daily needs (Press Releases). Solutions to Child labor After all has been said the question that now comes begging for answers is what can be done about the whole issue of child labor? Are there some preventive approaches that can be adopted to salvage the now critical problem? There are many approaches that have been put forth but it is worth noting that none of them has a magic solution. First of all the primary education should be prioritized. It has been observed that those countries with the highest levels of child labor have put less emphasis on the educational sector of the children. Primary education should be affordable to all, accessible, relevant and timely. Having this in place will simplify the monitoring of these children. Furthermore, in those countries that can’t sustain free primary education should solicit for funds from well-wishers and put it in a common till so that the funds should benefits all children and not just a few who may secure sponsorship if that is the way to go. Secondly, unions both governmental and non-governmental should be strengthened and fortified so as to ply the important role of preventing if not eliminating child labor. Adults who have got the ability to work should be encouraged and warned against the idea of forcing their children to go and work in order to supplement the family’s income. In places where these unions are empowered, child labor automatically diminishes. These unions not only play the role of discouraging child labor but also resist the hiring of children and paying them meager wages (Schlemmer 23). The governments of the various countries can use legislations to also prevent the act of engaging children in child labor. Through legislation, the government enacts laws that prohibit individuals, companies or organizations from employing children who are below the stipulated law. These laws should not only be in written form but should also be reinforced and enforces through the relevant agencies. Inspectors should be on the watch out to note those people making use of child labor and serious legal measures taken against them (unicef.org). Conclusion In conclusion, child labor is inhumane and should be discouraged at all costs. It remains an illegal activity that every individual should stand up in arms against. It deprives the children the right to education in addition to lowering their self-esteem. As regards to the economy, it is helps improve labor provision and production in developing countries. It might provide temporary solution to both parents and industrial owners but it sets precedence to increased rates of illiteracy and perpetual poverty. For instance, an employer may be able to secure cheap labor from children. Unfortunately, the economic development of such children is likely to remain low as the amount of compensation they would receive would equally be low. As such, they are denied the chance to access better heath-healthcare and nutritious meals. Furthermore, they might not be able to access better shelter as their income might not allow them. Therefore, every parent should come to the comprehension that education is an important aspect of every child and should therefore prioritize it in the growth stage of the children. The law enforcement agencies have also the obligation to bring those violating the rights of the children into judgment in the courts of law. Works Cited Bagchi, Subrata S. Child Labor and the Urban Third World: Toward a New Understanding of the Problem. Lanham, Md: University Press of America, 2010. Print. “Child Labour." International Labour Organization. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2013. . "Child Labor in U.S. History - The Child Labor Education Project." University of Iowa: Division of Continuing Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2013. . Gifford, Clive. Child Labour. London: Evans, 2009. Print. Gove, Laura. Child Slave Labor Still Exists in America Today. September 2002. 19 May 2013 . Joyner, Cathy. Child Labor: Characteristics of Working Children. New Delhi: DIANE Publishing, 1991. Print. Hugh, Hindman. Child labor: an American history. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, 2002. Print. Hugh, Hindman The world of child labor an historical and regional survey. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, 2009. Print Levine, Marvin. Children for hire: the perils of child labor in the United States. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2003. Print. Preston, Julia. "Child Labor - News - Times Topics - The New York Times." Times Topics - The New York Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2013. http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/c/child_labor/index.html. "UNICEF - Child protection from violence, exploitation and abuse." UNICEF - UNICEF Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2013. . Nesi, Giuseppe. Child labour in a globalized world a legal analysis of ILO action. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2008. Print. "New Labour Policy to safeguard kids' rights.." The Nation (Karachi, Pakistan) [pakistan] 16 Apr. 2010: 16-17. Print. 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