Labor "Weak Protections Under U.S. Law Allow Essay

Total Length: 678 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 2

Labor

"Weak protections under U.S. law allow children as young as 12 to work unlimited hours outside of school on tobacco farms of any size, and there is no minimum age for children to work on small farms. Despite the known risks of nicotine poisoning, there are no special provisions in U.S. laws or regulations to protect children from the unique hazards of tobacco work."

I was aware that there were a few exceptions to child labor laws on family farms. This alone is a sensitive issue given the potential for injury with lifelong consequences, along with the conscription of children into farming labor that may detract from their ability to pursue other careers. Yet until reading this passage, I had no idea that child labor was still permitted in a larger context in the United States, especially in large farm contexts. When it comes to exposure to pesticides, dangerous machinery and other hazards of the farming industry, it does not seem humane to employ children.

Stuck Writing Your "Labor "Weak Protections Under U.S. Law Allow" Essay?

This article, and this passage, reveals the need to tighten loopholes related to child labor in the United States.

The passage does admit that United States labor laws are "weak" with regards to children working on farms. It also admits explicitly that "tobacco farms of any size" can employ children as young as 12 years old. This is in spite of the fact that tobacco farms do use pesticides and working conditions often involve extreme heat, and exposure to chemicals. Child labor laws are in place to prevent the types of abuses evident on tobacco farms. There should be no loopholes in this area. In fact, even adults should enjoy some protections against the types of working conditions tobacco farming presents. It is admirable that major tobacco companies seem to be recognizing the value in modernizing their labor model to exclude child labor, but it remains surprising that such a system remains in place in the United States.

Work.....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Labor Weak Protections Under U S Law Allow" (2014, November 10) Retrieved July 3, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/labor-weak-protections-us-law-allow-2153618

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Labor Weak Protections Under U S Law Allow" 10 November 2014. Web.3 July. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/labor-weak-protections-us-law-allow-2153618>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Labor Weak Protections Under U S Law Allow", 10 November 2014, Accessed.3 July. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/labor-weak-protections-us-law-allow-2153618