Child Labor
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THIS WEBPAGE IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION...PLEASE BARE WITH ME. :)
While the debates continue regarding the best methods of teaching our students, children all around the globe do not even have the opportunity to go to school. Instead, they slave for long hours in oppressive conditions, earning meager wages or struggling to work off family debts which they can never actually pay off. Before we can truly consider our personal pedagogies, we must understand the education of children in countries other than the United States. Child labor greatly affects children’s ability to attend school as well as the ability of regions to fund quality schools.
In my School and Society class at Western Michigan University, two classmates and I researched and wrote a brief paper on child labor, particularly that of Latin America. I have designed this webpage to help teachers find out more about child labor so that they can in turn educate their students.
Educate Yourself
Below are very helpful resources for learning more about child labor and how you can help eliminate it.
Stolen Childhoods (2005) This feature-length documentary narrated by Meryl Streep paints a shocking picture of the horrors of child labor. The movie also tells about organizations which are helping to eliminate the use of child labor in the world.
Child Labor in America 1908-1912 We cannot forget the United States when we talk about child labor. The History Place tells the story of child labor in the United States and includes the photographs of Lewis W. Hine.
Child Labor in the United States Today Most Americans do not think that child labor still exists within the United States. In fact, many children can be found working in fields almost year-round. This report gives information about migrant farmworkers and their children, who often end up helping their parents in order to increase productivity. (This report is in a PDF format. To view it as an html file, click here.)
Human Rights Watch This site gives a great deal of information about child labor all over the world, and it offers many publications on specific areas of child labor. The site also has links to information regarding other violations of children's rights.
Child Labor Coalition This organization is commited to educating people about child labor. The site provides many useful resources.
Educate Your Students
The topic of child labor is a difficult, tragic one. However, if students in this country are not exposed to the hardship that children in other parts of the world face, they cannot become caring, educated individuals. There are many ways in which we can educate our students, no matter their age, about the horrors of child labor. Below are some sites that contain resources for teaching your students about this horrendous act.
Child Labor in America (grades 6-12)
What is Child Labor? Take action! (grades 4-12)
Child Labor Activities and Lesson from Teacher Planet
Scholastic News In-Depth: Child Labor This site provides various activities for individual students or the entire class. Under the "Activities" link, you can also find the International Labor Organization's map of hazardous child labor around the world.
Child Labor Public Education Project
International Center on Child Labor and Education This is a wonderful resource and contains a link to a teacher resource kit.
What's going on? Child Labor in Brazil
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Last updated: June 8, 2006 8:58 AM