While child labor is viewed negatively, apparently child labor and child slavery aren’t the same thing, and child labor though it could still be exploitative/cruel in other ways, can be done voluntarily by the child, and with fair treatment/compensation/etc.

I suppose you could make the argument that any child labor opens itself up to problems, but could it be done responsibly? And if not, then at what age do we draw the line of labor being not ok regardless of consent?

  • pjhenry1216@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    Yeah, it’s essentially similar in the US. I don’t know if kids are legally obligated to do chores, but they can work in certain family businesses without monetary compensation. I just don’t think it should be opened up to the point where you can hire any child. But in any case, pretty sure this is a troll post as their first example was cobalt mining. I mean, I guess there’s a small chance it’s not a troll, but very slim.

    • Chariotwheel@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      Oh, for sure. The exception to family businesses is probably both in Germany and the US rooted in the time the laws were made, where it would’ve been devastating to not allow families to include their children in the family business. And ultimately, there are probably plenty of laws in both countries that would check in on abuse.