Children Working On Farms As Early As Age 5. Human Rights Activists Calling For Change

[Obama 2012 1,714]

If a 5 year old wanted to smoke, should (s)he be able to do that too? Also, did it ever occur to you that the child does not always get to make this decision?

If the child isn't of age of considered adulthood, should he/she have that decision?

I'm a firm believer to the age old adage: "I brought you into this world, I can take you out of it."

[Pooky 3,782]

If the child isn't of age of considered adulthood, should he/she have that decision?

I'm a firm believer to the age old adage: "I brought you into this world, I can take you out of it."

Same argument applies to child labor. What's your answer?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Kind of disgusting that such a loophole in the law exits.

the biggest loophole in all our federal wage and hour and worker protection laws is employers that hire illegal immigrants, including children.

why do we shake our head when "American" children are overworked and abused and ignore it when an illegal alien is exploited and abused? Racism?

when will we demand horrifically strict penalties for anyone that violates a labor law? When will we stop employers from abusing and exploiting people for personal profit? When will it NOT be acceptable to treat illegal immigrants like slaves?

We worry that someone will check their ID...HORROR!!! But we don't worry that they work 60 hours per week for $200. We don't worry that if they get injured there is no workman's comp insurance to pay their medical bills or supplement their income for their family.

These kinds of reports only focus the racism that exists, the federal protection laws for white people, and nothing but exploitation for illegals.

STOP the abuse now. Demand your legislators put a huge tax on the employment of illegals. Demand that they seize property to collect the tax. Demand they enforce the laws they pass that apply to employers!

[rsn 135]

If the child isn't of age of considered adulthood, should he/she have that decision?

I'm a firm believer to the age old adage: "I brought you into this world, I can take you out of it."

You do realize how hypocritical that statement is, right?

[rsn 135]

...this message was brought to you by Gary and Alla, Comet, and Ti-D-Bowl toilet bowl cleaner.

[Peikko 1,575]

If the child isn't of age of considered adulthood, should he/she have that decision?

I'm a firm believer to the age old adage: "I brought you into this world, I can take you out of it."

Filicide? Nice.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

You do realize how hypocritical that statement is, right?

Is it less hypocritical to pass minimum wage laws and then look the other way while contractors hire (buy at auction) illegal aliens in Home Depot parking lots all over the country every morning for less than half minimum wage? I mean, at least let's be equal opportunity exploiters.

[rsn 135]

Is it less hypocritical to pass minimum wage laws and then look the other way while contractors hire (buy at auction) illegal aliens in Home Depot parking lots all over the country every morning for less than half minimum wage? I mean, at least let's be equal opportunity exploiters.

No, but this thread isn't about illegal immigration. Perhaps you'd like to bring up abortion, drinking laws, or the proliferation of reality shows while we're off-topic.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

No, but this thread isn't about illegal immigration. Perhaps you'd like to bring up abortion, drinking laws, or the proliferation of reality shows while we're off-topic.

It is about federal labor laws. Why are you against enforcing federal labor laws?

[rsn 135]

It is about federal labor laws. Why are you against enforcing federal labor laws?

Gary, now you're just being ridiculous. First, I have no idea how you have determined that I am against enforcing federal labor laws. Second, you could also say this topic is about laws, or about children, or about farming, or about ..... My point is this topic is, specifically, about child labor laws. Illegal immigration has nothing to do with this topic.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Back when I was an 8 year old I myself worked picking black rasberrys on an uncle's farm. Work started at 6 am until noon and 1 pm to about 5 or 6 pm. My 75 year old grandmother worked across from me. I was paid 10 cents per quart and a "good" picker could hit 100 quarts per day. It was one of the few places I could make some pocket money. Over the years My brother and I looked forward to this money. In the fall we picked potatos. We did not suffer at all. We grew up with a good work ethic. The first time I drove a tractor by myself was at the age of 4. We could put the 2 banger into 1st gear and father would load hay bales on a wagon while I drove. 1st gear one could crawl faster than the tractor would run. At the age of 12 I could plow a field by myself. While you California liberals were still sucking your mama's ####### at the age of 12 I could put in a good days labor and was proud of it. I never thought I had a bad life. We never had much money growing up but we never were on welfare. I talk to a local cop and he mentioned that today many 12-14 year old girls go to a party and have sex to get a few joints . That does not bother you people as much as a 14 year old picking a few berrys.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

While you California liberals were still sucking your mama's ####### at the age of 12 I could put in a good days labor and was proud of it.

What a stupid git. California is the agricultural epicenter of this country and has been for quite some time so many families know what it is like to live and work on a farm. If you were working at age 12 for most of the day, you weren't in school which explains why you're such a vacuous gob of #######.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Back when I was an 8 year old I myself worked picking black rasberrys on an uncle's farm. Work started at 6 am until noon and 1 pm to about 5 or 6 pm. My 75 year old grandmother worked across from me. I was paid 10 cents per quart and a "good" picker could hit 100 quarts per day. It was one of the few places I could make some pocket money. Over the years My brother and I looked forward to this money. In the fall we picked potatos. We did not suffer at all. We grew up with a good work ethic. The first time I drove a tractor by myself was at the age of 4. We could put the 2 banger into 1st gear and father would load hay bales on a wagon while I drove. 1st gear one could crawl faster than the tractor would run. At the age of 12 I could plow a field by myself. While you California liberals were still sucking your mama's ####### at the age of 12 I could put in a good days labor and was proud of it. I never thought I had a bad life. We never had much money growing up but we never were on welfare. I talk to a local cop and he mentioned that today many 12-14 year old girls go to a party and have sex to get a few joints . That does not bother you people as much as a 14 year old picking a few berrys.

I suspect that many of the kids featured in this story weren't working for pocket money.

A lot of us worked as kids for pocket money--babysitting, yard work, chopping wood, shoveling snow, caring for elderly relatives (unfortunately, no one in my family owned a farm)--but don't get all self-righteous about it.

[Mark&Gladys 0]

Back when I was an 8 year old I myself worked picking black rasberrys on an uncle's farm. Work started at 6 am until noon and 1 pm to about 5 or 6 pm. My 75 year old grandmother worked across from me. I was paid 10 cents per quart and a "good" picker could hit 100 quarts per day. It was one of the few places I could make some pocket money. Over the years My brother and I looked forward to this money. In the fall we picked potatos. We did not suffer at all. We grew up with a good work ethic. The first time I drove a tractor by myself was at the age of 4. We could put the 2 banger into 1st gear and father would load hay bales on a wagon while I drove. 1st gear one could crawl faster than the tractor would run. At the age of 12 I could plow a field by myself. While you California liberals were still sucking your mama's ####### at the age of 12 I could put in a good days labor and was proud of it. I never thought I had a bad life. We never had much money growing up but we never were on welfare. I talk to a local cop and he mentioned that today many 12-14 year old girls go to a party and have sex to get a few joints . That does not bother you people as much as a 14 year old picking a few berrys.

Well said. My childhood included walking beans, loading hay, and all sorts of farm chores. I don't remember bring over worked or exploited, but if you lived on a farm you were expected to pull your weight. I learned to drive early and operate farm machinery well before I was 12. I worked for my family and several of the neighboring farmers. Those were very hard times. We were never hungry and had our share, but there was never any extra money and plenty of risk, worry and economic stress. When I was born (60's) there were 11 farm families in my neighborhood that lived and worked on their own land. Today there are none left and most were gone by 1985. But, there was also no welfare mentality, no drugs and no crime. There was no sense of entitlement and everyone helped each other and shared when you had surplus. You were expected to work for the things you needed or wanted.

There were 7 children in my family. Neither of my parents were educated but all 7 of us have BS degrees, 3 have MS degrees, 2 have PhDs and 1 is a lawyer (there's always one black sheep in the family). One brother recently returned home from his 4th tour in Afghanistan as a lieutenant colonel. You can't raise a family in conditions like that today and the USA is paying the price.

Sorry for getting all self-righteous about it.

Edited May 8, 2010 by Mark&Gladys

[Heracles 417]

Steven supporting illegal aliens

Steven branding anyone speaking up as simply a racist

Steven now disgusted by poor conditions and acting surprised

Edited May 8, 2010 by Booyah!