Child labour as practiced in the US has been a subject of controversy for decades. Many argue that children need to be given the opportunity to learn responsibility and earn their own money, others see it as a form of exploitation that deprives children of their childhood.

Why do companies want to employ children?

It all started with the industrial revolution. Factories and mines sprang up, and there were many more of them than ever before. However, the workforce was the same and there was no choice but to employ minors. In addition, employers have realised that they don’t have to pay children as much and that they are much more obedient. This means that they complete their work with less complications and accept the penalties. The employment of children continues to this day. Many U.S. employers still view child labor as a cost-effective alternative. It is also a way to fill otherwise hard-to-fill jobs. However, the rules and legislation surrounding child labour have changed.

Is it legal to employ children in the US?

Under federal law, U.S. companies can employ children over the age of 14. However, the number of hours they can work during the day is limited. The implementation of specific positions is also restricted. Children aged 14 to 16 can work a maximum of 3 hours during the school day and 8 hours on other days. The weekly maximum is also based on school attendance and is limited to 18 and 40 hours depending on whether the child attends school that week.

In the US, children aged 16 and 17 can work unlimited hours in non-hazardous occupations. There are a few exceptions: it can be considered a special case if the child is employed by the parents, delivers newspapers, works as an actor or in agriculture.

Agriculture and the impact on children working in the sector

Unfortunately, due to a shortage of workers and for financial reasons, there are incredibly loose regulations in the US agricultural sector. Even today, children can work on the farm when they reach the age of 12. The only things needed are parental consent and a parent working on the same farm. Children can work unlimited hours – even during the school day! And after the age of 16, they can be in the field even during school hours. This leads to an incredibly high number of pupils dropping out of school. Half of children working in agriculture do not finish school.

There are currently 400,000 to 500,000 children working in agriculture in the US. The dropout rate is not even the biggest problem. There are additional health and safety rules in agriculture. Children cannot operate some tractors, forklifts, combine harvesters, saws and many other types of heavy machinery. However, despite these regulations, the number of accidents is extremely high. Many children are injured at work and the number of fatal workplace accidents is five times higher than in other industries.

Should there be child labour?

Employment can provide young people with valuable life skills and work experience. By starting work at an early age, children can learn responsibility, time management and customer service skills. They can also develop a strong work ethic and learn to work as part of a team. These skills will benefit them in their future academic and professional endeavors.

But we should look at the bigger picture. Employment of children and underage teenagers can entrench poverty. Instead of providing young people with opportunities to learn and grow, employment can trap them in a vicious cycle of low-paid jobs with limited opportunities for growth. Therefore, it is best to limit working hours to a minimum in case the child wants to work.

Atena helps people find jobsthat fulfils their needs and aspirations. We believe that the well-being of children and under-18s should be a top priority and that their education and future prospects should not be jeopardised by early entry into working life. While some may argue that earning early can be beneficial, at our company we believe that investing in education and personal development will bring much longer term benefits. We work closely with our clients to find job opportunities that are aligned with their long-term goals and ambitions, taking into account their current circumstances. Our ultimate goal is to help people build fulfilling careers that give them financial stability.

Do you think children should be allowed to work, and if so, to what extent? Share your opinion with us in the comment section.