What's wrong with child labor and "sweat shops"? (gasoline, high school)

[lifeexplorer]

Originally Posted by VA Yankee

Same as they might eat if they were being used as labor in a factory...

If they work, they get paid and have money for food.

If they don't work, what do they eat?

[1200RT]

The flaw in your argument is the failure to define "child".

If you're arguing that a "child", say, 14 years and older should be able to work, that would likely be a vastly different discussion than a 5,6,7,8 year old.

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by lifeexplorer

If they work, they get paid and have money for food.

If they don't work, what do they eat?

That, unfortunately isn't true.

My guess is (a) you've never spent time in the developing world and (b) never been inside a factory outside the US.

[crone]

Is anything wrong with the exploitation of poor people?

IIRC, the rug producers using poor kids was good because they had small nimble fingers that was great for weaving rugs.

Trouble was the 6-10 kids sat weaving for hours on end. Their fingers were also deformed forever. But they made great looking rugs.

[Dane_in_LA]

Originally Posted by lifeexplorer

...their choices are between work and die/prostitution.

I think you've identified what's wrong.

[MikeNigh]

Child labor is bad because it promotes having kids and keeps kids out of government schools. Also promotes small business and entrepreneurialship.

Imo kids should be starting their careers at ie 14 as apprenticeships.

Small time labor, learning small trades, learning your family business / business is a GOOD thing, best learned early.

[elvis44102]

i am quite sure any argument one can come up with was used in the USA a hundred years ago...you either side with those wishing to share a little wealth with the people or those divine job-creators IMO its that simple...


if the super-duper job creators can make a dollar they will....i suspect business will still flourish even if the world demands humane treatment of humans

[Dane_in_LA]

Originally Posted by ChrisC

I mean, really, is there a time when slavery is preferable in a practical sense to the alternatives?

Sure there is. Slavery didn't become became commonplace until societies developed that were robust enough to actually control slaves. Up until then, winning a war meant putting everybody to the sword, Old Testament style.

[lifeexplorer]

Originally Posted by 1200RT

That, unfortunately isn't true.

My guess is (a) you've never spent time in the developing world and (b) never been inside a factory outside the US.

I came from one of those countries. Plenty of children's choices are between work or eating off garbage dump or prostitution.

[Dane_in_LA]

Originally Posted by MikeNigh

Child labor is bad because it promotes having kids and keeps kids out of government schools. Also promotes small business and entrepreneurialship.

Imo kids should be starting their careers at ie 14 as apprenticeships.

Small time labor, learning small trades, learning your family business / business is a GOOD thing, best learned early.

Child labor promotes entrepreneurship? Nudge my memory - what entrepreneurs have we seen rise from the ranks of Nike's sweatshops? Or from the 19th century mills?