As the controversy about children in paid works becomes a debated issue across the world nowadays, some people count paid works as a valuable experience for children, while others consider it as an exploitation of children. Then, why they say so? Those who agree believe that paid works can help children learn about responsibility and develop particular skills that will give benefit for them in the future. On the other side, others who disagree oppose paid works for children because it may cause them to lose their rights to enjoy their childhood and their chances to study as well as their peer. Thus, which one is right? In my point of view, children should not be engaged in some kinds of paid work.
Childhood is a wonderful time, where children can enjoy their time to study or play with their playmate as they wish. However, current reality has shown that many children cannot enjoy their childhood because they are engaged in some kinds of paid works. Those kinds of paid works also decrease children’s enthusiasm to study, while actually their main duty is to study, not to work. Unifah, the leader of PGRI once stated the relevant fact about it. She explained that some children even leave their class and then drop out from school because they feel satisfied for their income for those works and after that they will trap as permanent workers.
Another aspect for my reason is that children need to enjoy their childhood for their psychological development. However some parents do not realize and care much about it. Then, the effects of this ignorance are likely showed by the children by doing protest toward their parents. We can take an example of the recent issue about Arumi Bachsin. She ran away from home for she perceived that she cannot enjoy her time because she is forced to work by her parents.
In some cases, children are engaged in some kinds of paid works because of their families’ economic condition. It is likely that some people will count it as an excuse for them to work. However, we have to consider that fulfilling families’ needs are parents’ duties, not children. Then, what if the parents cannot do that for reasonable reasons? This should be the governments’ duty to take care of low economic level families.
In conclusion, children should not be engaged in some kinds of paid works because it will give bad effects for them. If we consider that children need to learn about responsibility and particular skills in work, why do not we teach them through household works? Knowing the bad effects that may harm them and considering the fact that all children need and have rights to enjoy their childhood, therefore as a wise parent and prospective parents, will we seize their right by allowing them to get involved in some kinds of paid works? Just let our hearts of hearts answer it. (Vie Hanny)
