Introduction
"SOUTH INDIA – MAKKAL Osai reported that a girl, Dhanalakshmi, 11, from Tamil Nadu became the latest victim of child labour and torture when she succumbed to her injuries at Kolenchery Medical Mission Hospital in Hyderabad, South India. It was reported that Dhanalakshmi was in a coma when she was admitted to the hospital on Thursday. She had sustained injuries like multiple burns and hemorrhage in her left eye. Pediatricians and physicians found several burns on her body and informed the police," writes Reid Maki (http://stopchildlabor.org/?p=2381). Dhanalakshmi is just one of nearly 168 million victims of child labor. Unfortunately, child labor doesn't show any sign of stopping. Child labor is a major problem for many countries today and can negatively affect a child for life.
What is Child Labor?- Is it Dangerous or Harmful?
First, here are some facts that will answer the question, what is child labor? From the Oxford Dictionary, child labor is defined as, "The use of children in industry or business, especially when illegal or considered inhumane." This definition is definitely right about child labor being inhumane, but it is also very dangerous. Some examples are:
- Children who work in the coffee industry are often beat up, and not even paid ("Quick Facts About Child Labor." Christian Child Sponsorship - Compassion - Child Charity Organization. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2017).
- Children who spend their day working with tobacco absorb 54 milligrams of nicotine each day; equal to 50 cigarettes which is clearly harmful to children around only 8 years old ("Quick Facts About Child Labor." Christian Child Sponsorship - Compassion - Child Charity Organization. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2017).
- There are even more ways child labor is hazardous such as for children in gold mining: they breathe air filled with many toxins and dust. They are at risk of getting hit by rocks while mining as well ("Quick Facts About Child Labor." Christian Child Sponsorship - Compassion - Child Charity Organization. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2017).
- Kids who harvest sugar canes are exposed to high levels of pesticide ("Quick Facts About Child Labor." Christian Child Sponsorship - Compassion - Child Charity Organization. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2017).
Clearly, these facts prove child labor is a cruel and unsafe problem.
Statistics
- "The International Labour Organization estimates that 215 million children ages 5-17 are engaged in child labor" (GoodWeave." Child Labor Quick Facts - South Asia's Rug Industry. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017).
- "It would cost $760 billion over a 20-year period to end child labor. The estimated benefit in terms of better education and health is about six times that—over $4 trillion in economies where child laborers are found" (GoodWeave." Child Labor Quick Facts - South Asia's Rug Industry. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017).
- Some children unfortunately have to work around 18 hours a day.
- In India, 12 percent of 5-14 year olds are in child labor.
Negative Effects of Child Labor
Child labor has many harmful effects on children. Some include rapid skeletal growth, greater risk of hearing loss (from certain jobs), and smaller size ([www.michaelherringdesign.com], Michael Herring. "Health Issues." Health Issues - The Child Labor Education Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017). Higher chemical absorption rate is common as well due to the number of children who work in the agriculture industry. Some kids are sold to prostitution, and this can scar a child for life. Child labor also affects the child's social/educational development. If a child works up to twenty hours a day, they may experience some mental issues ([www.michaelherringdesign.com], Michael Herring. "Health Issues." Health Issues - The Child Labor" Education Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017). This includes aggression, substance use, and depression. To conclude, you can see how negatively child labor affects the child with these details.
Conclusion
Child labor is a problem in the world. Children are treated badly and working conditions are dangerous. In conclusion, these details and facts prove the effects of child labor can change a child's life negatively.
Bibliography
"Quick Facts About Child Labor." Christian Child Sponsorship - Compassion - Child Charity Organization. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017.
[www.michaelherringdesign.com], Michael Herring. "Health Issues." Health Issues - The Child Labor Education Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017.
"GoodWeave." Child Labor Quick Facts - South Asia's Rug Industry. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017.
"Child Labour." Humanium Together for Childrens Rights. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017.
"Reid Maki." Stopchildlabor. N.p., 02 Mar. 2011. Web. 29 Mar. 2017.