Be an Advocate for Children in China

Chinese labor is cheap. This makes inexpensive goods available. As Americans, we enjoy the availability of low cost goods, but in exchange for buy goods inexpensively we are giving our jobs to China. The debate on whether or not we should have US companies in China is a longstanding one. However, a bigger concern that many people are ignoring is: Are we buying goods manufactured by child labor?

Child labor is a topic that major companies (including Wal-mart) seem to ignore. If we turn our heads away, does that make it any less true? I think as Americans we need to realize that not only are our jobs going to China, but perhaps these jobs are being performed by children. Is it worth it? Should we be receiving goods that are created by child labor?

According to the Child Labor Public Education Project, "Child labor is work that harms children or keeps them from attending school."

I plan to do further research and address this issue of child labor in China, however without significant lobbying to the politicians and US companies, I believe this problem is largely ignored. However, as a consumer, is it our concern? Well, we buy the Chinese products and shop at Wal-mart. Therefore, I believe we are morally responsible to do something if children are indeed being harmed.

Here are some recommendations on how you can help.

First, research child labor and China. I would be interested in knowing what you find out.

Second, write, e-mail or call the companies and let them know you want them to put pressure on the Chinese government and tell them to create child labor laws. Encourage your politicians to do the same.

Third, boycott companies (and maybe Wal-mart) until they take a proactive about encouraging China to enforce child labor laws. Wal-mart buys a lot of products made in China and so do other companies.

Fourth, pray that child labor will discontinue in China. Some of the stories of child labor are outrageous. Children should not be treated in such a demeaning manor.

Fifth, do some research. I have included some links below for others to read.

Sixth, do you know more about child labor in China? Write an article. We need to make people more aware of child labor.

Seventh, talk to your friends about it. Many people are ignorant of the possibility of child labor in China. We need to build some awareness.

If all of us work together to help encourage China to have child labor laws, many kids will live better lives. We can all do our small part to make a difference. Afer all, it takes many single people to make a powerful impact. I would like to see China enforce better laws to protect their children or bring the jobs back to the United States. I do not want a child performing hard labor to make my socks or fireworks. I do not know what Chineese and Asian factories have child labor, but I do know that I do not want to feel responsible for children anywhere being mistreated. Perhaps it was time we demand companies do some background checks into the factories they are working with to create our goods!