The Cause Of Child Labor

Superior Essays
There is a chance that your favorite shoes, soccer ball, clothes, electronics, vehicle and even furniture were made by young and hard working children. Child labor across the globe is a topic that was frequently discussed in my history classes while I was in high school, and one that immediately caught my attention. Are businesses really employing these young children? If so, why are businesses employing the use of these young children? Why are these young children taking on such intense and laborious jobs for minimal pay? Are they going into this business willingly or are they being forced into it? In order to answer these questions and attempt to understand the reasons and causes of child labor, it is vital to examine this issue from more …show more content…
Because their economic circumstances and sources are so poor, they are willing, and often times forced, to sacrifice themselves to these jobs and the lifestyle that comes with them. According to the first mentioned article, “Child Labor: Issues, Causes, and Interventions,” in approximately only 8% of cases are children given the choice to work. When living in such a poor household, the main concern of families is survival, which for these families takes precedence over school, health, and any chance of an actual childhood. Because their working conditions are often so severe, children do not receive the stimulation necessary “for proper physical and mental development.” However, due to the underlying circumstances, parents do not take into great consideration the risks and dangers that come with sending their children to work at such a young …show more content…
A research article found that in Paraguay, child laborers make up approximately a quarter of their family’s total income. Another article titled, “The Political Economy of Child Labor and Its Impacts on International Business,” shows the results of a research study done in Sialkot, which shows that for families where the mother and children left their jobs, they suffered a 20% decrease in their total income. Such a dramatic loss of income can be detrimental to the families that it affects, which is why so many children are forced into, and remain in, the industry.
Another significant contributing factor to child labor is globalization. As globalization continues to spread throughout the world, the trade industry becomes significantly more demanding. Because the demand for low-cost labor in the trade industry continues to rise along with globalization, child labor is perpetuated. Whether directly or indirectly, companies are hiring and purchasing the work of these child laborers; including many of the larger and more successful companies we see

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