There’s an ongoing shortage of workers to fill positions in the U.S. we could do a whole topic on the multiple reasons why, pandemic related deaths/long term health issues/early retirements, low wages, high bars for entry etc. If anyone wants to spin off in that direction, feel free.

At any rate, it’s resulted in child labor violations rising dramatically. A full 37% increase in 2022 including 688 violations involving children working in hazardous conditions.

This includes the shocking images recently released of children working at meat packing plants (Content Advisory-I posted one photo of this below) and in agriculture. However, it also includes violations by companies more typically considered appropriate for teenage workers. McDonald’s, Subway Burger King, and Popeyes all were repeatedly fined in 2022 for illegal scheduling, both too many hours and too late at night.

Lawmakers in several parts of the country have responded by trying to roll back child labor laws and protections. This includes, dropping ages down for work, increasing work hours allowed, the types of jobs allowed, exempting employers from liability, and bypassing parental permission. Some of the proposed changes have been signed into law, others are still being debated.

With this in mind, how should we view child labor in modern society ?

There’s a lot to say on this topic, but few potential directions for discussion and debate:

•What age should you do people start work outside the home?

•Does the type of work matter?

•How regulated should it be by the government vs. parental/guardian choice?

•Should we bypass parental permission altogether? The Arkansas Youth Hiring Act of 2023 just changed laws so that youth under 16 no longer need a certificate signed by parents/guardians in that state.

•Does this create opportunity or simply open the door to exploitation of vulnerable youth?

•For those outside the U.S. what do child labor laws look like in your country?

•What advice would you give a young person starting their first job today?

A couple visuals on the current state of things…