Definition of child labor - What it is, Meaning and Concept

Although the concept of work has several meanings, the term is usually used with reference to the activity that is carried out in exchange for remuneration. Child , meanwhile, is that linked to childhood (the stage of life that goes from birth to puberty).

The idea of ​​ child labor , in this way, refers to making Children perform certain activities for profit .Child labor is often associated with exploitation as it prevents children from enjoying their rights and developing normally: the child who is put to work, therefore, suffers a violation of his rights.

For a long time, child labor was not considered as something negative.That the youngest of the family helping adults in the family economy was taken as a normal part of their development.That's why many parents put children to work in the field or in shops, for example.

Over the years, however, it was understood that, for children to develop emotionally and personally, it is essential that they attend school and enjoy their free time playing or performing recreational activities.Child labor In fact, it was banned by law .

The Declaration of the Rights of the Child , meanwhile, reflects the right to protection against "any form of exploitation" .This document provides a broad legal framework to the persecution of child labor in all its aspects.

Thus, today it is accepted that a working child has his rights violated .His healthy development, on the other hand, is at risk.That is why many governments and organizations seek to eradicate child labor.

While any form of child labor is negative and should be prohibited, given the points outlined in the previous paragraphs, there are certain activities especially harmful to the correct development of a minor.that, for organizations that advocate for the protection of the little ones, these are the ones that first want to eliminate:

* any form of slavery, whether direct or indirect.This group includes the easement to pay off parents' debts (something as unfortunate as normal in many cultures), child trafficking, the recruitment by force or by imposition to perform in armed confrontations (this adds to the traumas of the exploitation the obligation to face death, when they have not even finished understanding what is life ).It is important to understand and remember that these situations do not always occur with the consent of the parents, but often children are kidnapped because of lack of attention, for example, in the middle of a vacation trip;

* the offer, recruitment or use of children for the practice of prostitution , either in private meetings or for their performance in pornographic works.healthy people this may seem inconceivable, the prostitute Childhood tucion is one of the most profitable businesses, partly because of the high fees that their clandestine status gives rise to.People from all areas consume this type of content and make use of the twisted services, ruining life at every step of thousands of children;

* Child labor also contemplates the participation of children in activities that are outside the law, and in this case the traffic and the production of substances narcotics;

* Any occupation that may threaten your physical health, or that puts you at risk of accidents.One of the most common cases is the sale of products to drivers on public roads.