Why Is Child Labor Important?

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Child labor is a problem of ethics and economics. Depriving children of a childhood, and an education, all while exposing them to hazardous materials and dangerous working conditions. Education is the first step towards breaking the loop of poverty. Educated individuals have the capability to apply for better paying jobs and therefore improve their economic standing. In a Unite for Sight article, a non-profit organization since 2000, specializing in healthcare, there was a quote that exemplified the vicious cycle that child labor puts families through, “A study conducted in Egypt found that many fathers couldn’t find work or were unemployed for health reasons that were a result of them having worked too long hours, in conditions that negatively …show more content…

Adam Smith claims that people look for work that would benefit them economically and socially. If the labor provides any benefit to them as a person, they will do the job. However if the labor proves to be detrimental and unfavorable, then it will not be sought after. With this in mind, it is easily understood that child labor is beneficial to families in developing countries, for if it weren't, it would not be in place today. Families reap the benefits of the labor when children make self …show more content…

As a result of this increase, the number of child laborers decrease. However, when child labor decreases, the average family income drops and the cycle repeats. In order to break this loop, the Royal Economic Society in England, a society of economists from around the United Kingdom, set out to promote economic prosperity, by providing solutions to real world issues since 1890, suggests that “Targeted anti poverty programs must implemented in order to reduce the number of child workers. By eliminating poverty, the percentage of child laborers will decrease.” (Harrison It's official: child labour is a good thing) By eliminating poverty, children will be removed from the workforce as they are no longer needed to support the family, but once these anti poverty programs run out of funding, or stop functioning properly, children will be thrust right back into the workforce as families will struggle to find a source of

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