Protecting Children Morally

Could it be morally right for children, who do not possess the strength of adults, to perform the same type of work as adults so that companies can maximize production? Would it be morally right to allow children to make decisions about work knowing they will disregard their own safety? Many groups are in favor of restrictions on child labor. They impose suggestions of restrictions for different age groups that there should me limitations set so that children and young adults can be protected from the dangers that may be better handled by more mature age groups. These groups suggest limited hours of work or no work be permitted in various industries considering a person’s age. If we allow children under 16 to work industries such as mining and construction, their bodies may not be physically able to handle such work, we place them in danger. If we allow young adults under the age 21 to work with pesticides then we place them in danger because they may not be mature enough to research and know the dangers in dealing with such products. From a subjectivism perspective “Since subjectivism insists that each person can have a different personal moral standard, you can never assume that any of the moral principles that hold for you likewise hold for others (Ruggiero, 56).” Together we must come together to protect children because they may make decisions for themselves that may be dangerous for them. Some people purely focus on the means to survive while ignoring the consequences. That is why it is important for people to take stances to protect the overall majority.

Reference

Ruggiero, Vincent. Thinking Critically About Ethical Issues, 9th Edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 01/2015. (MBS Direct).