Let Kids be Kids

When a child is born people would expect the parents to take care of their child until the child is able to take care of themselves. In some families this does happen, but in others the child is forced to work, which is then called child labor. Child labor is work that harms a child or keeps them from attending school. Someone would think that child labor is only happening overseas, but it also takes place right here in the United States. In an article written by Child Public Education Project it states “The International Labor Organization estimates that 215 million children between the ages of 5 and 17 currently work under conditions that are considered illegal, hazardous, or extremely exploitative” (page 1). Child labor is caused by an increase in unemployment and poverty; families that are poor rely on their child to work as well so they can have basic necessities. The United States has many laws that try to prevent child labor. For example, a child under 18 cannot work in a hazardous employment, also there are multiple regulations for how many hours a child can work when they are working and going to school. Even though there are laws child labor still continues illegally. Child labor needs to be prevented more because it does not give children an education, it damages them emotional, and they can be injured or harmed while working.

The most significant thing a child can be given is an education. If someone cannot read or write in today’s society he or she is not going to be triumphant. If a child is working between the ages of 5 and 17 then when is there a time to go to school? The Child Labor Education Project writes “Long hours of work on a regular basis can harm children’s social and educational development. U.S adolescents who work more than 20 hours per week have reported more problem behaviors, sleep deprivation, and more likely to fall out of school”