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Could child labor ever be acceptable if it's done consentually? (monyet.cc)
submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
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While child labor is viewed negatively, apparently child labor and child slavery aren't the same thing, and child labor though it could still be exploitative/cruel in other ways, can be done voluntarily by the child, and with fair treatment/compensation/etc.

I suppose you could make the argument that any child labor opens itself up to problems, but could it be done responsibly? And if not, then at what age do we draw the line of labor being not ok regardless of consent?

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[โ€“] 6 points 2 years ago (1 child)

This is likely related to why kids can work in a family owned business to various extents. At least in the US. Not sure about elsewhere.

The problem is that once you make it available for anybody, it becomes a societal pressure and children won't be given a choice since they can't make their own decisions for what they do. Hell, how many of us were 'forced' to get a summer job as a teenager by our parents?

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  • [โ€“] 3 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    In Germany children are obligated to help their parents in the household as long as they live with them. This extends to family business. By law the children have no right to be compensated, since they are already compensated by the parents feeding and housing them. Of course, this doesn't mean parents can just slave their children, there are plenty of health and security laws and what's generally reasonable for a child of varous ages to do.

    So no family sweat shop. but the bottom line is: in Germany kids are obligated to help out the household they live with.

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  • [โ€“] 2 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Yeah, it's essentially similar in the US. I don't know if kids are legally obligated to do chores, but they can work in certain family businesses without monetary compensation. I just don't think it should be opened up to the point where you can hire any child. But in any case, pretty sure this is a troll post as their first example was cobalt mining. I mean, I guess there's a small chance it's not a troll, but very slim.

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  • [โ€“] 2 points 2 years ago

    Oh, for sure. The exception to family businesses is probably both in Germany and the US rooted in the time the laws were made, where it would've been devastating to not allow families to include their children in the family business. And ultimately, there are probably plenty of laws in both countries that would check in on abuse.

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