Because the two adults aren't coming together from equal positions. The worker needs to work to make money to buy food and shelter. Without a minimum wage, un

Because the two adults aren't coming together from equal positions. The worker needs to work to make money to buy food and shelter. Without a minimum wage, unskilled labor reaches a race to the bottom on wages. It's exploitative to allow an employer to pay $1/hr because no matter how low you go, you'll find someone willing to accept less because they're that desperate to survive.