Forced Maturity

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Recommended: Child labor and its effect on children

Effects of Forced Maturity on a Country Child labor dates back to the bible, when children were expected to help on farms and even work to support their family. There are many issues with requiring a child to mature quickly before it is appropriate for them to do so. The social and education development of a child is greatly affected by long hours and employment (Herrir). This also means that the economic and social stance of a country, that is dependant on child labor, can be adversely affected. Therefore, what is the economic and social impact of forced maturity on a country, and how is this illustrated by Pietro Di Donato in Christ in Concrete? Countries dependant on child labor rely on the process of forced maturity to keep their country …show more content…

Maturity is defined by Merriam Webster as full development. Adding on forced to that phrase brings about a definition of making something develop fully before it may be ready to develop. The forced maturity that comes along with child labor, leaves many children without an education, friends, and social skills (Ishaq). The psychological effects of child labor are hard ones to get rid of later in a child’s adult life, this brings about many different problems that these children must face in adult life that could be avoided with the abolition of child labor (Ishaq). Forced maturity is a result of the need for children to support their families, and comes with many long term physical and mental deficits that follow child workers into adult …show more content…

In 1938 the congress of the United States passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, which put restrictions on the times and types of work people above the age of fourteen could participate in (Fried). This was accepted by many states, and proceeded many different attempts of congress to abolish child labor (Fried). Even with strict laws child labor and forced maturity are still present in the United States. Constant violations with illegal immigrants occur on farms and factories nationwide. This violation is highlighted in Christ in Concrete through the young character Paul who is forced to work as a bricklayer to support his family after the death of his father. Paul was an immigrant child who was forced to mature not only because of his father’s sudden death, but because of the low wages earned by his mother and uncle (Di Donato). Relations of large companies with sweat shops overseas is another major issue that cannot be overlooked. The U.S. is promoting this issue overseas which only contributes to these countries dependence on child labor. The United States search for reform and legislation to eradicate child labor can serve as a warning for other countries to see the error of their ways, and change the lives of their future

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