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Child Labor: A Child Development Perspective

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Vulnerable Children

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Abstract

Childhood is a fundamental stage of life between infant and adulthood. Globally, child labor has been a factor that impedes children’s successful transition into adulthood. This chapter discusses the distribution of child labor in farm and domestic work as well as differentiating between “child labor” and “working children.” Using the child development framework, effects of child labor on working children’s physical, social, behavioral, and emotional development are examined. Research gaps and the role of a multidisciplinary dialogue in facilitating change within a global context are also discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work and Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, 201 F Berkey Hall, 509 E. Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1118, USA

    DeBrenna LaFa Agbényiga Ph.D., LSMW

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  1. DeBrenna LaFa Agbényiga Ph.D., LSMW
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Correspondence to DeBrenna LaFa Agbényiga Ph.D., LSMW .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Dept. Human Development, Michigan State University, W. Circle Drive 552, East Lansing, 48824, Michigan, USA

    Deborah J. Johnson

  2. School of Social Work & Dept. of Human D, Michigan State University, E. Circle Drive 509, East Lansing, 48824-1118, Michigan, USA

    DeBrenna LaFa Agbényiga

  3. , Center for Global Change and, Michigan State University, S. Harrison Road 140, East Lansing, 48823-5243, Michigan, USA

    Robert K. Hitchcock

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Agbényiga, D.L. (2013). Child Labor: A Child Development Perspective. In: Johnson, D., Agbényiga, D., Hitchcock, R. (eds) Vulnerable Children. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6780-9_8

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