An International Declaration Against Child Exploitation

My previous blog discussed how sweatshops are necessary for economic growth in third world countries; conversely, this article explains how imperative it is to eliminate child labor. The government, parents, and children themselves can do in order to see that child labor is banned and that the world begins to start to treat the children with dignity and respect instead of misusing them. One of the reasons why it is so important for parents as well as people involved in the government to help out is because children do not have a voice. In reality, children are considerably small forces because they have limits; for example, children are unable to vote. I believe if America has the right to set these limits on children, then the government as well as parents must be willing to be the voice of children. Without voices problems such as child labor will continue on causing pain to many young children.
The article suggests that the governments major role in this banning process. A part of this role the government must start off by listening to the children and ‘making the issues of children a priority and include the children in the decision-making that affects our lives”. By working closely with the children then government is able to incorporate their voices and what they want; after all, it is the children’s country as well! After listening to the children hopefully people will better understand how child labor is a crime. I believe by criminalizing child labor people will begin to think of it in a different, more intense way allowing people to recognize the importance of correcting and eliminating it. Another way the government could help to ban child labor is by working with other governments where child labor is occurring. In the article is discusses creating a “Nation Plan of Action” to end child labor. Having the nation come together creates a compelling force which will hopefully stop the misuse of children.
Along with the government, children need the support and help from the parents. Parent’s major role in this issue is to listen to the children, love them, and respect them, and treat them with dignity; by doing so children will realize how important they are in the world.
Finally, what children should do themselves: spread awareness. Although children do not have as much authority as the government or adults, but they do have another form of persuasion that is efficient. Children must use the media, art, dance, music, and drama to spread this awareness and to educate others. By doing so people will understand how important it is that this issue be stopped.
Although a lot of America does not hear of sweatshops and child labor as a major problem, it is. The fact of the matter is that it happens behind closed doors. This unfortunate fact must be faced and changed to help the children of the nation to live happily!

MLA:Labour, Children's World Congress on Child. "An International Declaration Against Child Exploitation." At Issue: Child Labor and Sweatshops. Ed. Ann Manheimer. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 10 Feb. 2010 source=gale&srcprod=OVRC&userGroupName=deer63488&version=1.0>.