Child labor has become an obscure issue in the United States because there are thousands of children who are sacrificing everything they have for their jobs on a daily basis. This has become an ethical issue because it takes away the regular life of an average American child and also causes severe suffering. Many people would counter argue that there are some restrictions to child labor in the United States such as the age but these people do not understand that these are kids they are talking about. Even though child labor has very strict guidelines and laws in the United States, many children should get more money, not work on toxic farms and not suffer on a daily basis.

     Similar to many other countries such as India and China, children who are working for child labor in the United States are not getting enough money, no matter what place or condition they are in. Some of these children receive less than minimum wage, making it hard for them to survive. For example, in an article published on Humanium titled, “Child Labor in the United States”, the author Olivier details about how children are not getting enough money stating, “Most children make only minimum wage – others report being paid less than minimum wage, with no overtime.” This proves that children do not have enough money to fully sustain themselves outside of work. Most of these children who get paid spend their money on items that are used for work instead of needs such as food or home remedies. For instance, in an article published on HRW titled, “Child Farmworkers in the United States: A “Worst Form of Child Labor’”, the author, Zama Neff stated, “Children working in agriculture typically make less than minimum wage, with their pay further cut when employers underreport hours and force the children to spend their own money on the tools, gloves, and drinking water that their employers should provide by law.” Not only does this prove that these children cannot afford sustainability but also how the employers inhumanely force them to buy items for their work. 

     Tobacco farming is a major industry in the United States, which is a reason why many children are working on these tobacco farms. The tobacco farms that these children work on contain a lot of toxins that can severely harm an individual’s physical health. In the article published on HRW titled, “US: Child Workers in Danger on Tobacco Farms”, the writer details what happens to the children when they work on tobacco farms stating, “Children reported vomiting, nausea, headaches, and dizziness while working on tobacco farms, all symptoms consistent with acute nicotine poisoning.” These side effects on working for the tobacco industry do make a huge difference in both the human mind and body. The pesticides used on these tobacco crops are also a problem because it can also have negative effects on the human mind. For example, the article also details how these pesticides affect children in which the author stated, “Many of the pesticides used in tobacco production are known neurotoxins, poisons that alter the nervous system. The long-term effects of childhood pesticide exposure can include cancer, problems with learning and cognition, and reproductive health issues. Children are especially vulnerable because their bodies and brains are still developing.” These pesticides also heavily contribute to cancer growth and are also able to destroy the brain of child for being developed. 

    After all of the hard work and dangers thousands of children face on a daily basis to survive, many still barely survive because of they have very little to no access to daily needs such as water or plumbing. The children who are working are constantly struggling to barely survive working in child labor as it could be difficult for them. In an article titled, “Teens of the Tobacco Fields”, the writer details about a couple of childrens’ feeling on how they have little access to water stating, “Children did report consistent access to water. Many children reported pain from engaging in repetitive motions. Children said they had inconsistent access to toilets, and many experienced discomfort while waiting long periods of time before relieving themselves.” The very little access to important daily needs leads to these children to severely suffer and not fully thrive in their lives. 

 

 

 

 

In conclusion, it is not right to force children to sacrifice everything they have while not getting enough money, working on toxic farms and not being able to thrive. While it is completely impossible to eliminate all of child labor in the United States, there are still some methods to at least reduce it. 

     Tobacco farming is a major industry in the United States, which is a reason why many children are working on these tobacco farms. The tobacco farms that these children work on contain a lot of toxins that can severely harm an individual’s physical health. In the article published on HRW titled, “US: Child Workers in Danger on Tobacco Farms”, the writer details what happens to the children when they work on tobacco farms stating, “Children reported vomiting, nausea, headaches, and dizziness while working on tobacco farms, all symptoms consistent with acute nicotine poisoning.” These side effects on working for the tobacco industry do make a huge difference in both the human mind and body. The pesticides used on these tobacco crops are also a problem because it can also have negative effects on the human mind. For example, the article also details how these pesticides affect children in which the author stated, “Many of the pesticides used in tobacco production are known neurotoxins, poisons that alter the nervous system. The long-term effects of childhood pesticide exposure can include cancer, problems with learning and cognition, and reproductive health issues. Children are especially vulnerable because their bodies and brains are still developing.” These pesticides also heavily contribute to cancer growth and are also able to destroy the brain of child for being developed. 

     Similar to many other countries such as India and China, children who are working for child labor in the United States are not getting enough money, no matter what place or condition they are in. Some of these children receive less than minimum wage, making it hard for them to survive. For example, in an article published on Humanium titled, “Child Labor in the United States”, the author Olivier details about how children are not getting enough money stating, “Most children make only minimum wage – others report being paid less than minimum wage, with no overtime.” This proves that children do not have enough money to fully sustain themselves outside of work. Most of these children who get paid spend their money on items that are used for work instead of needs such as food or home remedies. For instance, in an article published on HRW titled, “Child Farmworkers in the United States: A “Worst Form of Child Labor’”, the author, Zama Neff stated, “Children working in agriculture typically make less than minimum wage, with their pay further cut when employers underreport hours and force the children to spend their own money on the tools, gloves, and drinking water that their employers should provide by law.” Not only does this show that these children cannot afford for needed material but also the employers inhumanely force them to buy items for their work.