• socsa@lemmy.ml
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        8 months ago

        I mean the point of the article is that these are companies violating the law. Child labor is neither legal or common in the US.

        In the US you can work when you turn 15 if you get permission from your parents and a school guidance counselor.

        • GreyEyedGhost@lemmy.ca
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          8 months ago

          15? Apparently, the lowest minimum age is 9, and one state doesn’t have a minimum age. Use the handy little map on this site to find those gems and some other interesting tidbits!

    • bionicjoey@lemmy.ca
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      8 months ago

      Ontario recently legalized high school students dropping out and getting a full time job before graduating.

      • SuiXi3D@kbin.social
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        8 months ago

        Well, if they’re gonna drop out they’ll need some kind of experience to make it in the real world later on. Might as well be work experience, I guess.

        • bionicjoey@lemmy.ca
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          8 months ago

          Another way to look at it is that they are being given the choice between:

          • Finishing school, which they may not enjoy, but will set them up to be at least somewhat employable in the future. And introduces the possibility of further education to become even more employable.
          • Getting paid minimum wage, which sounds pretty good when you are living with your parents and aren’t paying for food or rent. But of course is incredibly unstable work and cannot be relied upon to cover living expenses once they’re an adult.
          • SuiXi3D@kbin.social
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            8 months ago

            You aren’t wrong by any means. It sucks all around, but at least they’re being given the chance to contribute in some small way even if it isn’t ideal. However, I highly doubt any employer they’ll work for will treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve as human beings regardless of their age or circumstances.

            Still, silver linings and all.

            • bionicjoey@lemmy.ca
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              8 months ago

              What exactly is the silver lining? They’re being given an option which feels like a shortcut, but will ultimately harm their future opportunities. And this is at a point when their brain development and life experience is insufficient for them to make a rational decision. Basically the economic realities may coerce them into mortgaging their chances of future success for a quick buck.

              Plus, they aren’t “contributing” to anything except wage suppression. Teenagers are less sensitive to being paid a living wage. This was done by Ontario’s Conservative government as a way to appease the sort of business owner who says “nobody wants to work anymore” while refusing to pay more than starvation wages.

    • Filthmontane@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Florida is currently trying to roll back child labor laws so children can work construction and roofing