ABSTRACT
This chapter describes some of the definitions of child labor in use by different organizations and explains the consequences to children and society. It provides some realistic alternatives and potential solutions to the child labor problem and provides resources for more information and guidance on the topic. Various forms of child labor have existed through time. Child labor, indentured servitude, and child slavery existed in America since its first beginnings. In 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act was passed that included federal standards and limitations for the use of child labor. In a recent study by Sturrock, child labor was closely associated with poor mental health. Risk factors included work in domestic labor, working at a younger age, and increased intensity of work. Children working in construction are at serious risk from a wide range of conditions including falls, falling objects, electrocution, collapsing structures, and heavy machinery crashes.
