Week 12 Apr 11, 2011-Indian Poverty

I believe the plight of Children in India should be treated as a human rights violation. The health issues that these children encounter can be seen as a mass illness due to the severe health implications this labor has. "These children can encounter many physical problems as well as psychological problems" (Meehan). Countries such as India should not treat their children as equal adults in the workplace. A child's body is not as developed as an adult's and is more prone to illness and disease. The rigor of the workplace is detrimental to a child and when children suffer so does the future of society. I never really considered the psychological damage that is experienced by child workers until reading the articles and watching the film. "Child labor appeared to be negatively correlated with the health status of the population, supporting the hypothesis that child labor affects child health” (Roggero 273).

The article about child prostitution intrigued me because I only ever looked at prostitution as a bad thing. However, not all of these children that practice want to be saved, or are committing prostitution strictly for the benefit of their parents. Some of the child prostitutes use their excess money for gambling, alcohol etc. The lack of governmental control needs to be accounted for the prevalence of child prostitution, but some of our class articles are also forcing me to question other factors. The access to education is one of the key factors that I believe is overlooked. Many of these child prostitutes are misinformed about facts regarding their access to opportunity. Many believe that they have no other options other than child prostitution. While child prostitution is the most lucrative, I believe there are other economic options. However, a young child is going to classify information from their parents as 100% fact. I believe it would be highly effective if we could break this cycle of misinformation by correctly educating parents and their children on alternative economic solutions to prostitution.

These children are withheld from developing properly and developing their social skills. I believe that an international set of guidelines should be established for all child workers. Currently, the super powers allow other countries to regulate their workplaces as they see fit. However, if we start classifying workplace violations as international issues, then more progress will be made to protect the children. These children will then be appreciative of the developmental security they were granted and will be more likely to protect their children as well. I would also like to highlight the fact made in the video that many Western children benefit because of the plight of Indian children. Western children enjoy a luxurious life because of the mandate of child labor laws. However, these labor laws have just recently been enacted. America can serve as a model for what India could be and should help to assist India in the transformation to a child labor free country. I also agree with the video in its statement that there are many people who want to help the plight of Indian children but are unable to because they are so spread out. Coordinated efforts will help the efficiency of these efforts and will help to greater benefit India.

Works Cited

Meehan, Ruth (director). "India: Working to End Child Labor" 2004. Online video clip. Arizona Universities Library Consortium. FMG Video On Demand. Peadar King (Executive Producer)Accessed on 20 July 2010.http://digital.films.com/play/VBRGKP

Roggero, P., Mangiaterra, V., Bustreo, F., & Rosati, F. (2007). The health impact of child labor in developing countries: Evidence from cross-country data. American Journal of Public Health, 97(2), 271-5.

“Youth Rules! U.S Department of Labor” < https://myasucourses.asu.edu/webapps/blackboard/content/contentWrapper.jsp?content_id=_4856221_1&displayName=Required+Reading%3A++Youth+Rules%21+U.S.+Department+of+Labor&course_id=_196100_1&navItem=content&href=http%3A%2F%2Fyouthrules.dol.gov%2Fteens%