Child Labor Controversy

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Child labor is an increasingly controversial topic in different countries. There have been reports of companies in some foreign countries going against normal rules and regulations and letting children of a minimum age of fourteen join the workforce. There have been beliefs that the U.S. should not be purchasing products that have been created by the use of kids, because of the common American opinion that it is wrong. However, factors such as poverty and newer rules and regulations can prove otherwise. It is reported that many children take jobs because of poverty. These kids that are in great poverty will see that they need to work in order to survive, and for them, “Earning money is an unavoidable necessity for them,” (Faulmuller). Recieving …show more content…
According to Cushman, “Nike said it would raise the minimum age for hiring new workers at shoe to 18 and the minimum for new workers at other plants to 16,”. These new laws can increase the safety of young workers and prevent controversy against big companies such as Nike. Nike’s actions also have lead to more companies taking part in this problem. “Nike, Puma, and Adidas, among others, worked with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and Sialkot suppliers to eradicate child labor,” (Montero). These well-known companies, such as Adidas, Puma, and other companies have joined with the ILO to help get rid of child labor in foreign countries. These organizations’ actions, with the help of big companies, can lead to more awareness of the situation and better laws being enforced. Companies like Nike hope that in the future, companies with child workers will have decreased up to the point where it can be nonexistent. This better enforcement of child labor laws and regulations can ease the guilt on consumers, who believe that products should not be used if made using a …show more content…
The majority of Americans feel that “it’s simply wrong that the mobile phone we are about to give our teenage daughter was put together by another 14-year-old in India,” (Faulmuller). However, in foreign countries, it is normal that children are put into work at early ages. Americans believe that working at a young age is taking away the child’s education and childhood, but “Different from other children in the U.S., the Amish are allowed to leave school and start working at around the age of 14.” Those Amish children are leaving their education voluntarily to work at ages fourteen because it is common for their culture. Because of this, the Amish culture believes that it is normal to be working at a young age. Since different cultures have different beliefs, a company with a fourteen-year-old working at their plant can have different reactions based on where the plant is located. Different opinions on child labor can affect how different countries handle child labor. Some may find it okay, and some may see it as a crime. These opinions vary and can be handled differently, but if a child’s parents are allowing the child to work because of their culture, it can have a different