can anyone pls give me a reason why minors should not be allowed to work.?

Question

this is for my debate next week and i really need help. im 14

this is for my debate next week and i really need help. im 14

but what if somebody says if minors aren't able to go to school due to lack of money or something like that, what are the possible answers i can give???

this is for my debate next week and i really need help. im 14

but what if some one throws at me, something like their parents cannot suppert them, and the child would rather help their parents by working or something.... pls help me !!!!

Answer 1

I think it's a measure of the fact that they could easily be exploited. When the child labour laws were brought in to most countries in the 19th century, children were being employed in dangerous industries (mining, cotton mills, engineering, etc.) and were working excessively long hours (up to 18hours a day) from very young ages (as young a 5 was not uncommon). Laws banning child labour were extremely controversial at the time, not only opposed by the employers who profited from the exploitation of children but by the families who relied on the children earning money to survive. In third world countries, the same arguments and situations hold. Why do you think Nike outsource their factories to third world countries? It's not for social reasons.

Child labour can be seen as driving down the workforce costs for an employer but may at the same time create issues for adults and older young people who may be priced out of the labour market. This happens when there are two levels or more of minimum wage for different ages where employers will employ the cheapest, not necessarily the best.

In western societies such as the UK and the US it is now considered to be more important to educate our young children as this is more beneficial to both the individual and to society over the long term. Some labour is usually allowed by children and seen as beneficial but it is usually controlled in both type, hours and wages such that the child is not significantly exploited.

Child labour in itself is also a measure of how rich or developed a country is. On argument for child labour in poor countries is that they cannot afford economically not to at this stage. I believe this to be a facile argument if external agencies from developed countries such as Nike are using this child labour as they are in a position economically and morally not to do so. They cannot argue economic necessity in supporting child exploitation in the same way a subsistence farmer can.

Child labour also indirectly contributrd to the worse types of child exploitation, such as child prostitution and child trafficking, which are much more prevalent in societies which accept child labour as the norm. Wider acceptable practice odf child labour allows other more extreme ways of making money off children more acceptable and less abhorrrent.

The Wiki reference will give you a lot to think about as will the Nike one.

Good question, enjoy your debate!

Answer 2

you will need to familiarise yourself with the International charter of childrens rights...

check out the website for Amnesty International...

when something, anything is permitted, it soon becomes expected. If children were permitted to work it would not be a far step for parents to then begin expecting their children to work, particularly in poor and or destitute families.

minors are in need of protection, care and guidance.

minors should not be permitted to work because constant work can affect the natural development of the child. ie. repetitive movements affecting normal bone and or muscle growth

minors should not be permitted to work because it interferes with their need for an education.

However you will likely hear arguments that say that in many western, so called civilised, countries there is no law preventing children from working in their own parent's business, or family farm so you will need to ensure that you include this in your argument before the other side offers it.

you could propose that children are indeed allowed to work in all countries to assist their families on farms or family businesses and this is acceptable as the parents are the bosses and have an innate concern for the child, whereas to be employed by a non-family member leaves the vulnerable child at the mercy of a person who does not possess 'an innate concern' for the child..

Answer 3

They need to be focused on their education not work. They need an education in order to get a good job one day. Education prepares them for work.

Answer 4

You should be concentrating on school.