Child labour

Child labour refers to the exploitation of children through work. This work is defined by its harmful effects on a child. It can interfere with their ability to attend regular school. It can also be mentally, physically, socially, or morally harmful. Most countries have laws to prohibit this practice. However, some types of work are not legally considered child labour. These exceptions include child artists or supervised training. Some work by Indigenous children or Amish children is also permitted.

In pre-industrial societies, child labour was an intrinsic part of the economy. In these eras, there was rarely a modern concept of childhood. Children participated in activities like hunting, farming, or child rearing as soon as they were competent. In many societies, children as young as 13 were viewed as adults. They performed the same tasks as grown-ups to ensure group survival. Because productivity was low, children had to provide labour for their welfare. Most skills were passed down through direct mentoring rather than formal schooling.

The Industrial Revolution in Great Britain changed these patterns. During the late 18th century, industrial exploitation increased rapidly. Cities like Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool grew into large industrial hubs. Many children from poor families or orphanages were drawn into these cities. In 1788, children made up two-thirds of the workers in 143 water-powered cotton mills.

These children often faced hazardous and sometimes fatal working conditions.

Specific jobs during this era were particularly dangerous for young people. Boys as young as four worked as chimney sweeps. This job was so hazardous that it led to the first recognized occupational cancer. In the glass-making industry, boys faced intense heat from furnaces. This exposure caused eye trouble, lung ailments, and heat exhaustion. Many worked long night shifts, such as from 5:00 pm to 3:00 am.

In the United States, an estimated 1.7 million children worked in industry by 1900. By 1910, that number rose to over 2 million.

Reformers and governments eventually began to pass laws to curb these abuses. In Britain, the Factory Acts were passed to regulate working conditions. One law prevented children younger than 9 from working. Another act, the Cotton Mills Act, limited 9-to-16-year-olds to 12 hours per day. By 1901, the permissible working age in Britain was raised to 12.

As technology improved, there was a greater need for educated employees. This led to the rise of compulsory schooling and automation.

Not all child labour happened in large factories or mines. Many families engaged in home-based manufacturing operations. This allowed parents to generate income while managing household duties. In the United States, millions of families worked from home year-round. They produced items like shoes, toys, umbrellas, and matchboxes.

In France, over 58% of garment workers operated out of their homes. This trend moved much of the labour from factories into urban households.

Today, poverty and a lack of schools remain the primary causes of child labour. In the world's poorest countries, about one in five children is engaged in work. This rate is even higher in sub-Saharan Africa, where more than one in four children work. In 2017, four African nations saw over 50% of children aged 5–14 working.

Agriculture remains the largest employer of child labour globally. Most of this work occurs in rural settings or informal urban economies.

Despite these challenges, global trends show significant changes. The World Bank notes that the global incidence of child labour fell from 25% to 10% between 1960 and 2003. However, the total number of children involved remains a serious concern. In 2013, UNICEF and the ILO estimated that 168 million children aged 5–17 were involved in child labour.

While the percentage is decreasing, the scale of the issue is still vast.