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Child Labor in Third World Countries Essay

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Child labour is the employment of children as money earners. It became a serious social problem in the Industrial Revolution in Britain during the 1700's, and the problem spread to other countries as they became industrialized. The problem arose when children, many below the age of 10, were employed by factories and mines. The youths were forced to work long hours under dangerous and unhealthy conditions, and their wages were very small. Child workers were often deprived of the chance to attend school. Uneducated, the only work they were capable of doing was unskilled labor. Thus, they had little chance to improve themselves. Adults and children under 16 years under 5 years Whole world 5000 million 2000 million 600 million …show more content…

“Child Labour: Targeting the Intolerable” ). There are studies that prove that child labour is the cause of many dangers and hazards. Some of the consequences of child labour are as follows: - Working children suffer growth deficits. - Child workers are exposed to hazardous conditions that expose them to chemical and biological hazards. Poverty is the main reason for child labour. Poor households need the money, which their children can earn. Children contribute to 20 – 25 % of family income. It is obvious that the survival of certain families depends on the children’s earnings. The reason for which children are hired for labour is because of their low wage cost and their great work in return. In developed countries children have to go to school to learn skills for the future. Children learn at an early are to run errands, help to cook, and clean the house. The children often work by choice, in order to have extra pocket money for themselves and for the family. Most children work because in third world countries the money is not for extra leisure but for survival. Children have a better chance being less exploited when they work in a family business. The danger rests when the work is outside of the family. The children work long hours and under strain. The children are usually too young to work but do anyway. Most children work on the streets and for very little pay (approximately 3 dollars a day). The working children work with

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