Band 8+: In many countries children are engaged in some kind of paid work. Some people regard this as completely wrong, while others consider it as valuable work experience, important for learning and taking responsibility. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

here are two different schools of thought about whether child labor is a good practice or not. It is my firm belief that due to this malpractice, children suffer terribly. Hence, this sort of practice must be abolished and made illegal.

First and foremost, involvement in paid work often drives children away from academic education. Typically, children from poverty-stricken families are involved in child labor. For them, nothing seems more important than earning money. As they prioritize earning a livelihood, they fail to realize the importance of education and often grow up uneducated or even illiterate. Nations lose their potential educated workforce, which is crucial for future development. For instance, many African countries have been suffering due to a lack of an educated workforce, as a significant portion of their children are engaged in child labor.

Moreover, children suffer both physically and mentally from such work. Most of these jobs are physically demanding and strenuous. Working for prolonged hours, children often suffer from various physical complications, including malnutrition. Those working in chemical factories may develop skin diseases or even cancer. Many children experience accidents and sustain injuries, sometimes losing limbs or facing permanent disabilities. Additionally, when these children see others enjoying their lives and attending school, they often develop an inferiority complex. Overall, children are subjected to immense physical and mental suffering. For example, more than 70% of Somali children suffer either physically or mentally due to child labor, as reported by various sources, including Google.

Last but not least, children engaged in labor often grow up to become criminals. At a young age, children are not in a position to differentiate between right and wrong. Sometimes, they are exploited by their employers and unknowingly involved in criminal activities. At other times, they deliberately engage in such activities to earn money quickly. A famous American proverb aptly states, “A child forced to work today is a potential criminal tomorrow.” For example, according to Google searches, many children involved in labor eventually turn to crime.

In view of the aforementioned facts, for a better future for children, we must adopt necessary measures to legally abolish this practice worldwide.