Text 97, 48 rader
Skriven 2009-09-18 21:11:48 av Robert Bashe (2:2448/44)
     Kommentar till text 92 av Dan Ceppa (1:138/666.0)
Ärende: Child labor (was: (1/2) Down to the basics)
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Dan Ceppa wrote to Bob Ackley on Wednesday September 16 2009 at 09:01:

BA>> Everybody is complaining about the loss of jobs in this country, but
BA>> they still drive down to the local Wal-Mart or Costco (which stock no
BA>> US made products other than detergents) because of the low prices
BA>> there.

DC> The prices are low because those countries employ child labor, for one
DC> thing.

"Those countries" being the so-called "underdeveloped" nations.

Of course, child labor isn't the only reason - the wages are low for adults in
many countries, but the living costs are also low. And naturally low labor
costs aren't a panacea for a manufacturer: people in developed countries demand
a certain quality even of low-cost goods, and complex articles require machines
and qualified operators even in underdeveloped countries.

But child labor naturally exists - and in contrast to what the usual gut
reaction tells us, isn't always a black and white evil with no redeeming
virtues. What some don't know or decline to accept is the fact that child labor
in some cases is the only thing between a family and starvation, when there are
no adults in the family who are capable of working (sick, injured), or there
are no jobs for the adults. Banning child labor totally, with no regard for
local circumstances, can well be a negative thing in some societies and
situations.

I don't want to defend the practice in all cases, but the picture some people
have, contrasting sweatshops full of "exploited" children with clean,
well-equipped shools full of kids with happy, smiling faces is often pretty
naive, and it's worthwhile thinking about all the ramifications before adopting
a black and white attitude.

Cheers, Bob

P.S. Just as an aside, child labor (children being anyone under 16) is totally
banned in Germany, with the result that a schoolkid who wants to make some
money with a part-time job simply can't. No mowing lawns for money, no paper
routes, no paid helping out at a restaurant, no nothing. Either a kid is in
school, doing homework, watching TV or playing computer games, hanging out with
other kids or sleeping. He/she is not _allowed_ to do anything for money even
if he/she really wants to any could do it without problems with school or
health.

Seems to me that's taking child protection a bit far.

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