A Big Problem of Child Labor in the World Essay Example

of child labor, the United States seems to have a lesser impact compared to other countries. The International Labor Organization estimated that in 1972, there were approximately 150 million children working worldwide. Other organizations suggested even higher numbers. By 1993, the number of child laborers had exceeded 200 million. World Vision has created a graph illustrating the different types of jobs undertaken by these child workers.

The majority of child labourers worked in the agricultural sector, enduring extended hours under the blistering sun. Their duties included cultivating crops like fruits and vegetables in fields, as well as taking care of animals by feeding them and fulfilling other necessary obligations. Retail and services had the second highest concentration of child labourers after agriculture.

These children would fulfill various roles such as serving and delivering food, transporting goods to different locations, working at hotels and restaurants, as well as engaging in industry, manufacturing, and domestic tasks.

Work in the industry involved mining, construction, and manufacturing items in factories for profit. Domestic work entailed cooking, cleaning, and managing various household tasks.

The responsibility of taking care of any children in the household also fell on their shoulders. This role, although seemingly not difficult, was often hidden from public view. Such seclusion meant that children might have been subjected to various forms of abuse. Lastly, there was a section designated as "other."

This is similar to other child labor situations. During the 1900s, children worked in various factories, including canneries. Disturbing photographs were taken of these dreadful working conditions. The young children appeared dirty and fatigued, showing signs of weariness and exhaustion.

They were transporting crates of cans that appeared excessively burdensome for their

small frames. These areas were congested with children and were extremely unsanitary, particularly for the young ones. It was not only at this location that children were toiling, but also at another establishment that was even grimier and posed greater hazards. During the 1900s, young children were subjected to labor in mines where they would toil in dark, cramped spaces all day long, enduring harsh conditions throughout both summer and winter.

Throughout the day, they toiled from dawn till nightfall, earning merely one, two, or three dollars for an entire week's labor. The silence enveloped them, not a word spoken. A ceaseless supply of coal fed the furnaces, its soot clinging to their exhausted bodies as they posed for photographs. These children, unable to read or write, squandered their lives in these chilly, dim chambers.

After a tiring day at work, they are too fatigued to do anything else but sleep. Moreover, there were glass factories where children were frequently being harmed and injured. The factory owners placed all the blame on the children, stating that they lacked attentiveness and were lazy during work. Additionally, there were textile factories where children faced constant danger.

The machines in factories were causing severe injuries to workers, as their body parts would frequently become stuck or caught and be torn off. These accidents had a significant negative impact on the lives of these workers, who often worked long hours for very little pay. According to Scholastic, children working in factories would labor for 12 to 18 hours a day, six days a week, in exchange for just one dollar. Many of these children started working before they turned seven years old,

operating machines or carrying heavy loads. By 1810, there were approximately two million school-age children who worked between 50 to 70 hours per week. The majority of these children came from impoverished families.

During the 19th century, child labor experienced an increase in Europe and North America. In cases where parents could not provide for their children financially, they would give them to mill or factory owners. An example of these conditions can be seen at a glass factory in Massachusetts, where young boys under 12 were confined with barbed wire fencing. These boys were then compelled to carry hot glass loads throughout the night for meager wages ranging from 40 cents to $1.10 per night.

However, as the 20th century began, child labor started being recognized as a problem and began to decline. Even Western countries that previously supported child labor now opposed it. Despite these efforts, certain countries such as Nigeria, Burundi, Yemen, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Afghanistan Sudan Myanmar DR Congo Somalia and Eritrea still face significant issues of child labor.

Child labor is prevalent in impoverished nations as families rely on it for survival. Nevertheless, using children in this manner is morally wrong. Instead, parents should prioritize their children's education, growth, and development rather than compelling them to work. If opportunities are scarce within their present surroundings, parents should contemplate sending their children elsewhere to seek better living conditions and prospects.

In order to avoid suffering and pain, it is crucial for parents to avoid restraining their children and seek alternative solutions. While it may not always be possible, parents should try to shield their children from these difficulties. Engaging in such unacceptable behavior reveals a lack

of understanding on their part.

Child labor profoundly affects children's lives, resulting in detrimental impacts on their mental and physical well-being, as well as their education. When they are unable to attend school due to work, it hampers their potential to earn a living in the future and perpetuates the cycle of poverty and limited education for future generations.

The Roman Catholic Church strongly condemns child labor as morally unacceptable and urgently requiring attention. According to their beliefs, children should receive proper care and support until they reach physical maturity and can sustain themselves independently. It is vital to provide education and nurture their overall growth in this regard.

The Tablet reports that Pope Francis has called for a global effort to eradicate the underlying causes of child slavery. According to the United Nations, around 168 million children are exploited as laborers in various industries, ranging from agriculture to manufacturing. The Pope emphasizes the significance of ensuring children's well-being before pressuring them into work and advocates for safeguarding their fundamental rights, particularly their right to education. He believes that young children should not be subjected to peril when compelled into labor. These statements were expressed by the Pope during an address on the World Day Against Child Labour on 12 June. Numerous organizations and companies are also dedicated to putting an end to child labor due to its immoral and horrifying nature.

Efforts are made to eliminate child labor completely, with events and designated days addressing this grievous issue in our world. Numerous objects and items we utilize every day are manufactured by child laborers. The minerals used in our essential phones, for instance, are extracted by young children

toiling in mines.

Apple, Samsung, and Sony have faced criticism for failing to prevent the use of child labor by their suppliers. They have been urged to thoroughly investigate their supply chains to eradicate this issue. Child labor is not limited to these technology giants; it exists in industries like sugarcane production, cotton manufacturing, coffee production, tobacco cultivation, rice farming, fishing, brick making, garment production, textile manufacturing, footwear production, carpet weaving, and fireworks manufacturing. Regrettably, many companies that are still operational today continue to rely on suppliers employing child labor.

Many well-known companies, including Nestle, H&M, Philip Morris, Walmart, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Apple, Disney, Forever 21, and Hershey’s are widely used and purchased by millions or even billions of people every day. However, what people may not realize is that purchasing these products unknowingly contributes to the support of child labor. While some may perceive this as an insignificant global problem, it is important to acknowledge that there are currently around one hundred sixty-eight million children enslaved worldwide. This alarming statistic represents approximately eleven percent of the total child population globally.

Child labor is happening currently in several regions including Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and South Asia, with children being engaged in dangerous and strenuous work. This practice persists due to a lack of intervention. African countries, the Philippines, Vietnam, Latin America, and Indonesia witness the highest instances of child labor, indicating its prevalence worldwide. Addressing this issue requires disallowing businesses from sourcing materials from manufacturers that employ child labor. Additionally, individuals must be conscientious of their purchases and avoid supporting or accommodating child labor. Taking a stance and actively working against this problem is vital if one

disagrees with these circumstances.

In order to enforce change, it is important to take action based on genuine beliefs and promote the employment of adult workers at fair wages. This could lead companies to either shut down or implement these practices. Moreover, I firmly advocate for stricter penalties against child labor.

I suggest modifying the current penalty for infractions, which is a maximum fine of $10,000 per worker. Instead, I propose implementing imprisonment as the penalty, with a duration ranging from 3 to 5 years depending on the severity of the situation. Furthermore, to prevent individuals from being released before conviction and subsequent punishment, the bail amount should be set at an extremely high level that they cannot afford. This alteration in the penalty would likely make individuals think twice before engaging in such risky behavior. Additionally, if individuals persist in their beliefs, organizations would feel compelled to adjust their actions in order to endure.