Child labor refers to forced work that deprives children of their dignity, potential, and childhood. Ancient America is characterized by decades of abusive child labor that has surpassed several reforms to impact society up to the 21st century. This paper argues that child labor is by far the worst form of atrocities because it inhibits positive development by robbing children of the opportunity to gain essential life skills, live a healthy life, and tackle issues during adulthood.
The industrial revolution played a substantial role in elevating people’s living standards and paving the way for innovation. Therefore, some individuals argue that child labor was beneficial as it facilitated using fewer resources to maximize outcomes, thus fostering rapid development (Dubofsky & McCartin, 2017). Unfortunately, many individuals forget that children are the foundation of human development. The basics of human evolution suggest that children are better positioned to propel future development because they are exposed to a changing environment with new ideas and improving possibilities (Anderson, 2018). However, child labor robs children of the opportunity to obtain critical life skills and the education required to succeed in life. Moreover, child labor can cause physical harm, abnormal mental development, and exposure to risky social behaviors like drug abuse and premature sex (Ibrahim et al., 2019). Therefore, it is crucial to identify any existing forms of child abuse and report proprietors to authorities to ensure adherence to human rights.
Child labor continues to ravage society because most individuals perceive it as a solution rather than suffering from severe poverty. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the adverse health, physical, and developmental impacts it has on humanity. Children are society’s building blocks and hope for a better future. Therefore, it is vital to protect their rights and inhibit all forms of child abuse and child labor. Even though some families might suffer due to their economic status, it is better to ensure that children develop because their success reflect future society.
References
Anderson, E. (2018). Policy entrepreneurs and the origins of the regulatory welfare state: Child labor reform in Nineteenth-century Europe. American Sociological Review.
Dubofsky, M., & McCartin, J. A. (2017). Labor in America: A history. John Wiley & Sons.
Ibrahim, A., Abdalla, S. M., Jafer, M., Abdelgadir, J., & de Vries, N. (2019). Child labor and health: a systematic literature review of the impacts of child labor on child’s health in low-and middle-income countries. Journal of Public Health.