What Are the Causes and Effects of Child Labor?

The causes and effects of child labor are disheartening. It is a complex issue with real children and real parents involved in very difficult decisions.

The leading causes of child labor include the following:

Poverty

The most prevalent cause of child labor is poverty. When families cannot survive at their current income levels, they see child labor as a solution to their problem. Often, parents are promised by employers that their children will receive an education, three meals a day and a good wage. Since most parents want these things for their children, they agree to send their child or children to work. In reality, the working conditions are often atrocious and the pay is typically meager.


Natural Disasters

Droughts, famines, earthquakes and other natural disasters create instability that disturbs an area’s economy. Sometimes, as a result of these disasters, children are orphaned and forced into working situations that are hazardous as they attempt to provide for themselves or their siblings.

Conflict

War creates horrible circumstances, and often children are forced to quit school in order to fight in an armed conflict.

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