Psychosocial impacts of child labor: An under-recognized problem

Children around the world work in a wide range of industry sectors and under working conditions that are too often physically and psychologically hazardous. Some begin to work at a very young age, whether willingly, out of necessity or under conditions that resemble slavery, including circumstances of human trafficking. Minimum age restrictions for work and limitations on the hours of work and hazardous work activities youth may perform are the subject of child labor regulations and international conventions; however, these are not fully protective and typically do not address these impacts. In recent years, more attention has been paid to describing the health effects from hazards of work exposures or unsafe conditions. Limited attention has been focused on the psychosocial impacts of the working conditions many children and youth experience. Research in this area is virtually non-existent in the United States, but has been the subject of studies elsewhere in the world. This presentation will examine psychological functioning and social/intellectual development issues for children and the health risks of work which must be measured and addressed both by researchers and policy makers. An overview of the types of working conditions that may pose the greatest psychosocial hazards to children and youth will be discussed. Underutilized tools and guidelines for assessing these impacts which have been employed outside of the US will be summarized and suggestions for research priorities will be provided.