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1. Running head: CHILD LABOR POLICY 1
Child Labor Policy
Name
Institution

2. CHILD LABOR POLICY 2
Introduction
Over the last century, the Federal and State governments have been keen on promoting
the welfare of children and youth. Since the convention of the 1909 White House Conference on
Children, both governments have intensified their involvement on issues relating to the
promotion of the welfare of American children. Various policies have been ratified and
implemented to help protect the young generation and ensure they have access to education and
healthcare services while protecting them from substance abuse and violence. One of the key
child welfare policies has been addressing the issue of child labor and reforms to end the vice.
Discovery of Child Labor as Social Problem
From the early 19th century, child labor has taken shape in the United States. Various
opinion leaders had started pressurizing the government to address the increasing cases of child
exploitation by companies which employed tactics used by colonial rule to promote slavery in
the U.S. For many years, various states denied the fact that child labor existed and needed
attention through ratification of employment laws to outline the recruitment of children and their
conduct in the workplace environment (Bonoli, 2013). Although there was failure by the various
states mainly from the South, who resisted the move to achieve formulation of uniform laws
through state actions, the widespread public support and advocacy made child labor be declared
a social problem and legislation protecting children from exploitation formulated.
The child labor policy did not only focus on elimination of the poor conditions that
children worked but also wanted to address the lack of education among children who were
victims of exploitation. The need for children working factories and farms be educated led to the

3. CHILD LABOR POLICY 3
ratification of laws to restrict firms from denying children from acquiring their basic needs and
rights like the right to education and information.
Definition Child Labor
Globally, child labor has been referring to the employment for children who have not
attained the minimum age for employment as set by the International Labor Organization, ILO.
In the 19th century and 20th century, child labor referred to all forms of slavery, child
trafficking, child prostitution, compulsory children recruitment among many other forms
(Humphries, 2013). Other forms of child labor were also manifested in the involvement of a
juvenile in the production of pornographic films, illicit activities, drug trafficking, and any other
activity that compromised the safety and health of children.
The Historical Context of Child Labor Policy
Child labor has existed through history across many countries. During the 19th and 20th
centuries, minors between the ages of 6-14 especially from low-income families worked in
European colonies like U.S (Bonoli, 2013). Majority of the children were involved in home-
based duties, mining, agriculture, factories, and assembly operations thereby hindering their
ability to acquire some basic needs like education.
The formulation of child labor laws was meant to reduce the prevalence of child labor in
the United States and the global context. However, high poverty levels and poor schooling
among children have hindered the effectiveness of the policy in fighting the prevalence of the
social problem. Since the formulation and implementation of policies fighting against child

4. CHILD LABOR POLICY 4
labor, the incidences have reduced from 25% by the year 1960 to 10% by the year 2003 at the
global level.
Involvement of Social Actors
Over the years, various actors from across the divide have combined efforts to eradicate
the issue of child labor across the globe. These organizations range from political, non-
governmental to faith-based organizations. The International Labor Organization, UNICEF,
World Bank, and regional integrations have been in the forefront pushing for the ratification of
labor laws to address the issue of child labor. Faith-based organizations have also played a vital
role in advocating for the rights of children and pushing the federal and State governments to
formulate laws that controlling contracting in the supply chain and raise the minimum age for
employment to reduce the prevalence of child labor (Karger & Stoesz, 2013). These groups have
also been instrumental in the development of millennium development goals, MDGs especially
on matters of children protection and human security.
Policy Response and Involvement of Social Workers
The child labor policy took an integrated approach to address the vulnerabilities
experienced in minors and their families majorly caused by deprivation and poverty. The policy
has significantly reduced child labor both at country and global level over the years (Humphries,
2013). By linking vulnerabilities to economic shocks, mitigation measures have been put in place
to provide social protection for the minors particularly from low-income families to afford the
basic needs like food, shelter, and education hence avoiding exploitation from rog employers.
Moreover, the implementation of the policy has forced companies to address child labor issues in

5. CHILD LABOR POLICY 5
the various supply chains. During the late 20th century, many firms were involved in the drafting
of contractual agreements, capacity building, code of conducts, among other measures that try
mitigate the cases of child labor in the supply chain.
Conclusion
Child labor is a social problem that poses a serious threat to the future generation by
depriving them the basic needs and exposing them to harsh conditions. Child labor policy seeks
to eradicate the issue of exploitation of minors both in industries, homes, and informal
workplaces. Through collaborations of governments, non-governmental and faith-based
organizations, advocates and lobby groups, community leaders, child protection from
exploitation in the supply chain and other areas can be prioritized and children linked with basic
needs.

6. CHILD LABOR POLICY 6
Reference
Bonoli, G. (2013). The origins of active social policy: Labour market and childcare policies in a
comparative perspective. Oxford University Press.
Humphries, J. (2013). Childhood and child labour in the British industrial revolution. The
Economic History Review, 66(2), 395-418.
Karger, H. J., & Stoesz, D. (2013). American social welfare policy: A pluralist approach (brief
edition). Pearson.