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Child Labor Essay

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Child Labor

Child Labor, refers to the economically active population under the age of fifteen years old, who are employed in various industries (Grootaert, 2). Recently, child labor has become a large topic of debate; however, in most cases, it is very unfavorable. The perception that globalization is leading towards the exploitation of children, is becoming an important problem for international business. In my opinion, child labor should be eradicated. It is not only harmful to the health of children, but it takes away their chance for an education, and simply takes away their childhood.
The International Labor Organization estimates that 250 million children around the …show more content…

They share the same burden of financial responsibility as their parents; and therefore face a great deal of physical and emotional stress at an early age.
There are many points that oppose child labor; and yet, in some countries, there seems to be no choice. Children, who become orphans after losing their parents at an early age and have no relatives to support them, have no choice but to work. In developing countries, such as Asia and Africa, there are very few programs that support orphans, due to lack of resources (Grootaert, 7). Parents, living in poverty, sometimes have no other choice but to send their child to work for income.
Around the world, there are many organizations trying to eliminate child labor, by promoting policies that heavily tax goods created by child laborers, or by persuading people not to buy products made by children. The premise is good, and it can work; however, it can also aggravate the situation, because it can leave a child jobless with no way of earning money to survive.
Regardless, child labor is widespread (Buckley, 1). Many multinational companies, such as Nike and Wal-Mart have been accused of indirectly using child labor to manufacture some of their products. American and European automobile manufacturers have subsidiaries in Brazil, who use child labor, as well. Nike will be used here as the primary example. This

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