Child Labor

Abstract

Throughout the world children “work.” Some do so for the experience, others for extra “spending” money. But in many parts of the world children work from the necessity of sheer survival. Worldwide data is presented on child labor and the varied kinds of work in which children are engaged is discussed. The problem is not that children work but their victimization. Recognizing that working is both universal and in many ways beneficial for young people, the focus of this discussion in on the ways working children around the world are victims of their work and/or victimized by those who exploit and abuse them in their labor. Discussion is devoted to the major issues associated with child labor such as paid and unpaid work, hours of work, and the kinds of work suitable for children. Victimization occurs when working children are denied the opportunity to gain an education, the work is physically and emotionally harmful or outright dangerous, or working children are economically exploited, or abused. International and national laws governing child labor and the reasons why such laws are so often ignored or violated with almost total impunity in much of the world are discussed. The progress of various national and international efforts, particularly on the part of governmental and non-governmental agencies, in overcoming obstacles to eliminate victimizing child labor are described, and the promise these efforts hold for the future is assessed.