Child Labor Economy

ECONOMY

"There is work that profits children, and there is work that brings profits only to employers. The object of employing children is not to train them, but to get high profits form their work." -Lewis Hine, 1908

The Industrial Revolution exploded first in Great Britain before it appeared in the United States. The new technology in the industry became an important factor for entrepreneurs. Samuel Slater, an expert in manufacturing, established mills and factories all over New England. Francis Cabot Lowell founded mills that processed cotton under one roof. Slater and Lowell are just one of the many who helped spread the new trend in business around the United States. The abundant natural resources, new inventions, and high consumer demands helped increase the influence of the new industrial ideologies

Fields of Hope

In the 21st century, the practice of child labor was frowned upon and laws were put in place to keep the children safe. However, many developing countries still practice child labor and lack the power to eradicate it. Many children work in manufacturing factories, mines, farms, and some work as prostitutes, domestic workers, and even soldiers. Poverty creates a need and the effect is that businesses can employ children because they are willing to work for lower wages than adults. They like to hire children because they are willing to work for lower wages than adults. This means more profit for the business. However, there are those who have no choice and are "enslaved" by others and forced to work.

Sex industries are exploiting thousands to millions of children every day; children, as young as seven years old, are forced to have sex. This industry draws in about a million children each year. This industry is a multi-billion dollar sex trade. Tourists from all over come to foreign countries, where prostitution is an every day trade. Unfortunately for the millions of children, they can only hope for their government and their economy to help them out of this inhumane form of service.

Last November 2001, Nike, a sporting goods company, and the University of North Carolina met and agreed upon a contract. This contract that is worth $ 28 million, bound Nike to an anti-sweatshop labor code to the equipment and uniforms for the university. Nike through the years has been involved with child labor. The labor deal that was signed on their behalf and the University of North Carolina was a big step by the big corporation to end the exploitation of children.

Boy cutting tall grass
Fields of Hope

Sources: Reef, Catherine
Child Labor and Sporting Goods (globalmarch.org)

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