All around the world children are working for little or no pay. These children are treated like slaves and often times held captive by employers. There are many people and groups that are concerned for these children and the conditions they face daily. Both politicians and anti-child labor groups wish to stop this. “UNICEF has emerged as a leader in the international movement against disabling, hazardous, and exploitive child labor” (UNICEF). These individuals and groups intend to stop purchasing products made in these conditions.

Child labor is like a fast spreading disease, and there needs to be a cure. The world faces very bad consequences for letting such atrocities occur. These children will one day grow up and understand what has happened and will revolt, leading to wars in small countries. The bigger problem is the vast spreading of AIDS due to high numbers of sexual abuse cases. These children will grow old and be very disturbed people. This will keep them from obtaining jobs, ultimately forcing their children into these same work conditions. This could prove to be a terrible cycle if something is not done and done quickly.

These children work in many places manufacturing many things. India’s children are known for making rugs and carpets. Indonesian children are being employed by such big names as “Nike” and “Reebok”. They are making clothing and shoes for both companies. In Brazil, children are farming sugar cane, and in Cambodia children are making bricks. “ “Liz Claiborne”, “Nike”, and “Reebok”, just to name a few, own sweatshops and pay workers (including children) ridiculously low wages that no human being could survive on” (Hsu).

Children in these conditions not only suffer from a lot of stress, but they also suffer from sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. For instance, if a child does not produce enough in one day, they will be tortured or beaten. The employers also rape the boys and girls that are forced to work in such conditions. However, the emotional abuse is much worse. These children are made to believe that they are worthless and will never amount to anything but an enslaved worker for the duration of their lives. “Demand for child labor is so high that children are often sold by desperate parents. The children are forced to work long hours, day and night, unable to attend to school, and often subject to abuse and malnourishment” (Rugmark).

The course discusses the self and society. The children here represent the self, innocent individuals that cannot help themselves. This is one of the sickest things in the world; people are exploiting the innocent and using them for their own personal gain. The world represents society. Society therefore must push for tougher regulations, and more knowledge of how products are made. This will not happen if society sits back and waits. Society must stand up and say this is enough, no more will be tolerated.

Some topics in this essay:
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