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From a policy perspective, I think one justification for banning child labour is to encourage equal opportunities for children of poor vs. rich families. Becau

kiba 17y ago
From a policy perspective, I think one justification for banning child labour is to encourage equal opportunities for children of poor vs. rich families. Because of the diminishing marginal utility of money, children from affluent families will have no pressure to work, and can therefore focus on school for a better future. Children from poorer families will have significant pressure to find a job, as any extra money coming into the family will offer a large difference in living conditions. Without minimum working age laws, most poor children will drop out of school and never realize their true long-term potential. This is to assume that labor does not provide an education in itself. We're also assuming that education are particularly effective or appropriate. Most 18 years old are still unable to do much else other than basic labors. We're also forgetting to take into account economic growth. It may be that economic growth increase opportunity for education, as baser needs are being meet with increasing efficiency, allowing newer generations to get an education. It may be that the level of education is proper for third world countries and that child labor laws and the formation of a public education system were an aftereffect of an increasingly affluent society, not the actual cause.
- Frazzydee 17y ago
  Absolutely. This is why child labour laws are typically stronger in more affluent countries, where there are opportunities for better jobs beyond factory work. The efficacy of education isn't really as much of an issue as the job prospects for the educated, which, in affluent countries, are generally better than job prospects for non-educated individuals. My policy rationale presupposes this, and it's certainly not relevant in every country. I do agree that the Western view of completely boycotting child labour causes more harm than good. But corporations must respect local laws. Such laws are created by the countries themselves, who are in the best position to decide whether the imposition of a minimum age is a good policy choice. I didn't mean to say that a minimum age is a good policy choice everywhere, because it might not be. But we can't make an educated decision on when to have a minimum wage if we don't know why we're doing it :)

kiba 17y ago

From a policy perspective, I think one justification for banning child labour is to encourage equal opportunities for children of poor vs. rich families. Because of the diminishing marginal utility of money, children from affluent families will have no pressure to work, and can therefore focus on school for a better future. Children from poorer families will have significant pressure to find a job, as any extra money coming into the family will offer a large difference in living conditions. Without minimum working age laws, most poor children will drop out of school and never realize their true long-term potential. This is to assume that labor does not provide an education in itself. We're also assuming that education are particularly effective or appropriate. Most 18 years old are still unable to do much else other than basic labors. We're also forgetting to take into account economic growth. It may be that economic growth increase opportunity for education, as baser needs are being meet with increasing efficiency, allowing newer generations to get an education. It may be that the level of education is proper for third world countries and that child labor laws and the formation of a public education system were an aftereffect of an increasingly affluent society, not the actual cause.

Frazzydee 17y ago
Absolutely. This is why child labour laws are typically stronger in more affluent countries, where there are opportunities for better jobs beyond factory work. The efficacy of education isn't really as much of an issue as the job prospects for the educated, which, in affluent countries, are generally better than job prospects for non-educated individuals. My policy rationale presupposes this, and it's certainly not relevant in every country. I do agree that the Western view of completely boycotting child labour causes more harm than good. But corporations must respect local laws. Such laws are created by the countries themselves, who are in the best position to decide whether the imposition of a minimum age is a good policy choice. I didn't mean to say that a minimum age is a good policy choice everywhere, because it might not be. But we can't make an educated decision on when to have a minimum wage if we don't know why we're doing it :)