Child Labor

Child Labor
Originally uploaded by The Last Paladin

It’s still out there.

When I went to US for the first time, I noticed one thing: they reduce manual labor as far as possible. Even in a super market, you can bill yourself and put cash or swipe credit card in the machine and walk away. But, in India, manual labor is abundant. Still, child labor prevails.

Why does a child come to work? The reason I could see is either the family is financially not well to do or the child is not interested in studies.

If the child is not interested in studies, what most parents do is force them to study. Basic education is necessary in this fast moving world, but should children be forced to study?

If the family is not well to do, why not send the child to a government school? Is it a problem of awareness or the we-cant-do-well attitude of those families? When I asked some parents of such children, the answer that comes is “How long can I sponsor his education? How can he compete with other children studying in private schools? Instead, let him learn a work and earn a living.” But is basic education not necessary?

What if the child is interested in studies, family is well to do; but the child is forced to work? Ever heard of child artists? Does money win over education in this case?