'Too Cheap Work for Anybody But Us': Toward a Theory and Practice of Good Child Labor

Abstract

While global attention has been focused on the plight of the child laborer internationally, legal scholars have paid less attention to the changing nature of the American child's workplace. This article first describes the current situation of the American child worker and briefly reviews the history of American child labor law. Analysts have suggested both structural and individualist explanations for the uniquely American phenomenon of the student worker, ranging from poverty to parental beliefs about the value of work for children. The article utilizes sociological, theological and philosophical insights to suggest what values should inform children's work, and describes some recent federal work programs that point the way toward a national policy on child work. Finally, the article proposes ways in which state and federal governments can regulate, teach, and reward employers who create good workplaces for children.

Keywords: Child labor, America, work, employees, legislation

JEL Classification: J20, J30, J40, J50, J60