Grade Level 11 / Cycle2

Write a summary of the issue (2 to 3 sentences):

This debate is about whether or not we should allow goods made by child labor into Canada. Note that it is child labor, not child slave labor, which is a different topic because child labor is voluntary.

Be it resolved that Canada should stop importing goods made by using child labor.

Write an outline in point form:

• When it is not slave labor, the children are paid much less and are expected to work as hard as the other workers.
• In some cases, children are assigned into unsafe or unhygienic situations that are dangerous.
• Child labor is unwanted by the children, since it takes away from their childhood.

• The children work so that they can support their families. All members work so that they can have enough to survive.
• Without this source of income, they may not be able to live.

• By working, children are forced out of school to go to work and miss a chance at socializing as well.

• Children must work in order to feed their families and themselves. Their parents do not have the privilege of earning enough money to survive, because their countries suffer from economic depression.
• To these children, survival is more important than education. They sacrifice their education to help out their families. There is not much to be done until their economy picks up and improves.
• The work maybe unwanted, but it is mandatory for survival.

• The parents should be taking care of their children enough so the children do not have to work.
• Children should be free to do what they will until adulthood, when they fend for themselves. They should not be forced to take on a mature role at such a young age.

• The child workers live in much poorer countries that do not have the same standard of living as we do, and have different focus points.
• To us, children should not be responsible to their families, but in these children's situations they must be, because they live in a harsher environment than ours.

"It is a tragedy that 250 million children around the world have to work rather than attend school and enjoy the sort of childhood that is their right. But we must ensure that our outrage at this situation does not do more harm than good. Many people react by boycotting or calling for bans on goods produced by using child labour ....... Such trade measures do more harm than good. Because they target the symptoms of the problem rather than the causes not buying or refusing to import goods made with child labour will actually make working children and their families worse off. The reason children work is their poverty and that of their families. They literally work or go hungry. Only by tackling this poverty directly can we improve their lives."

Argument: Against
Source: http://www.bccca.org.uk/quotes.htm
Author: Clare Short, Secretary of State for International Development, November 1999

" At least 35-40% are in below poverty line in poor and underdeveloped asia.Think of these parents who are not even able to earn one day food to their family"

Argument: Against
Source: http://members.tripod.com/~sadashivan_nair/childlabourandsociety/id1.html
Author: Sada Shivan
Title: We Should be More Practical for a Solution

How will these children survive without their jobs?

How can we allow these children to work in such unhygienic and hazardous areas?

Term: unhygienic

Definition: Unclean, destitute

Definition: When the currency and standard of living is extremely low.