What Is Child Labor?

Child labor refers to the employment of children in any form of work that deprives them of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful. According to thoughtco.com, it is estimated that 168 million children worldwide are involved in child labor, which is considered one of the worst forms of exploitation of children. This article will provide more information on this devastating issue that is still prevalent in many parts of the world.

The Causes Of Child Labor

Poverty is one of the main causes of child labor. When a family is struggling to stay afloat financially and they find themselves doing whatever they can to just survive, children are often forced to take up jobs to help pitching in. Low or inadequate wages have a role to play in this, as many families find themselves unable to access sufficient funds to live on, let alone being able to finance school for their children.

In other cases, child labor can be attributed to cultural practices, such as when parents consider it normal to send their children out to work as soon as they come of age. This may be common in parts of the world where there is a lack of knowledge and awareness around the importance of protecting the rights of children.

Consequences Of Child Labor

Child labor has profound impacts on millions of children from all over the world. Not only is the child missing out on the opportunity to obtain an education, furthering the global cycle of poverty, but these children tend to be exposed to dangerous working conditions. Some of these issues include child exploitation, an increase in child mortality, an increase in health and psychological issues, and a decrease in social and economic development. Moreover, child labor also takes away child’s precious rights of freedom, security and development.

Another consequence of child labor is social and economic inequality, as those who are employed in such jobs find it hard to break the cycle of poverty and progress on to something better. This creates a social divide between those with access to education and the opportunities they open up, while those engaging in child labor are left behind and deprived of these same rights.

Conclusion

It is essential to point out that child labor remains a major issue in many places in the world and it is something that needs to be addressed promptly. By raising awareness around this problem, challenging existing practices and tackling poverty, we can make an effort to end this devastating issue. Furthermore, by making sure that every child has access to education, we can work towards eliminating the systemic issue of child labor.