So, what is the answer? Boycott the companies that use child labor? No! Boycotting creates results, but not results that benefit children. Putting them out of work and onto the streets only worsens their situation. Attacking the economies they live in is not the solution! If only it was that easy. Also, child labor is so widespread it's difficult to promote one company's record over another. The United States boycotts all toys made in China - but the same companies operate in Thailand, Malaysia, etc., under the same conditions. Providing real alternatives is the answer.

The biggest answer is education.  It's estimated that 20% of the world's school-age children receive no primary education at all. For education to become a solution to child labor, schools need to be close by, free, well-staffed, and compulsory. It is much easier to monitor school attendance than to inspect factories and workshops. It is also easier to convince parents to send their children to school than to forbid employers to employ children. The more educated a population possess the more active and critical they become. These educated children could eventually develop responsive and fair governments, to enforce labour legislation and practice sustainable economics. Go to http://www.campaignforeducation.org/ to help educate kids around the world. You can also help Free The Children to build schools.

"Sweat shops" create jobs and help countries and towns that wouldn't normally be able to survive. Shutting them down is not the answer. Working to change their methods of employment and the way they treat their employees is. Working to help the people in that area with education and equal rights is the only way to stop their suffering. Protest all you want, it won't do any good. Support programs that support the poor, especially the poor children and you'll be doing something. You won't get as much publicity and get your name in the newspaper or on t.v. though...sorry.

© 2003 , Brandon Christison