Child Labor Is The Lack Of Intergenerational Human Capital...

Introduction Developed countries have a conception that child labor is highly exploitative and is driven by long hours in deplorable conditions in sweat shops, prostitution rings, and rebel armies. While this perception has been very effective at raising awareness and action on the issue of child labor, it is quite misleading as only a small percentage of wage labor is of such an exploitative nature. It is imperative to take a more nuanced view of child labor and accept that it is not inherently bad as the current stigmatized view of the issue would suggest. I will argue that while there are necessary, and at times, good utilizations of child labor, high rates of this phenomenon tend to be ultimately detrimental to the child, household,†¦show more content†¦Then, I will discuss how the informal sector is intimately tied to child labor and presents unique obstacles for creating effective change. Lastly, I will take up considerations in the policy process revolving around child labor and u ltimately offer policy initiatives that would be effective at limiting rates of child labor. Child Labor as a Crucial Development Issue It is undeniable that some children work in circumstances that are highly exploitative and detrimental to their well-being. Most economists, policymakers, and even laypersons throughout much of world will agree that swift policy is necessary to minimize the suffering of these children. Although there are moral considerations in the most deplorable of these scenarios, many instances of child labor fall outside the purview of this narrow conception. A large portion of child labor is characterized by children working limited hours in conditions dictated by parents or other family members. Although these circumstances are not universally better, it seems reasonable to expect that parents would protect their children to some extent—especially considering maximizing rates of return on their investments to the child. Child labor, thus, must be considered not as undoubtedly negative, but as a morally neutral necessity in some developing countries. Nonetheless, we must consider that th ere is indeed a toll that is not just physical but also psychological for these children; even at the