Assignment Details: While Reading A News Article ✓ Solved
Assignment Details Scenario: While reading a news article on a popular athletic shoe, you learn that the company uses child labor in Pakistan. What is child labor? According to Fairtrade International, child labor is “work that is harmful to a child’s physical and mental health and wellbeing, and/or interferes with their education, leisure and development” (2017). The exploitation of child labor remains a major human rights issue in much of the developing world. Please review the following sources before beginning: International Labour Organization Statistics on Child Labor; Human Rights Watch. Focus your discussion on: What are some aspects of globalization and capitalism that have contributed to the economic abuse of children in developing countries? In your opinion and based on your research, what can be done to end this problem? References: Human Rights Watch (2017). Children’s rights. Retrieved from Fairtrade International (2017). Child and forced labour. Retrieved from International Labour Organization (2017). Child labour. Retrieved from In your own words, post a response to the Discussion Board, and comment on at least two other postings. You will be graded on both level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion.
Assignment Details Scenario: While reading a news article on a popular athletic shoe, you learn that the company uses child labor in Pakistan. What is child labor? According to Fairtrade International, child labor is “work that is harmful to a child’s physical and mental health and wellbeing, and/or interferes with their education, leisure and development” (2017). The exploitation of child labor remains a major human rights issue in much of the developing world. Please review the following sources before beginning: International Labour Organization Statistics on Child Labor; Human Rights Watch. Focus your discussion on: What are some aspects of globalization and capitalism that have contributed to the economic abuse of children in developing countries? In your opinion and based on your research, what can be done to end this problem? References: Human Rights Watch (2017). Children’s rights. Retrieved from Fairtrade International (2017). Child and forced labour. Retrieved from International Labour Organization (2017). Child labour. Retrieved from
In your own words, post a response to the Discussion Board, and comment on at least two other postings. You will be graded on both level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion.
Paper For Above Instructions
Aspects of globalization and capitalism that contribute to the economic abuse of children in developing countries include the fragmentation of production through global value chains, intense price competition, and the incentives for subcontracting that obscure labor practices from the brands that ultimately sell products in wealthier markets. When firms pursue ever-lower costs, suppliers may rely on child labor to meet tight deadlines and price points, especially in sectors with high labor intensity like footwear manufacturing. The resulting pressure can lead to unsafe working conditions and erosion of long-term human capital by compromising education and development opportunities for children (ILO, 2017; OECD, 2017). Additionally, globalization can increase demand volatility and expose families to shocks, pushing households to rely on every possible income source, including the contribution of school-age children to household earnings (UNICEF, 2016; World Bank, 2012).
Capitalism’s emphasis on profit maximization, shareholder value, and cost containment often translates into a business environment where labor standards are treated as negotiable assets rather than core protections. Weak governance, limited enforcement of child-labor laws, and insufficient social protection in many developing economies create an uneven playing field where child labor persists as a coping mechanism for poverty. In the footwear industry and similar sectors, opaque supply chains can mask abusive practices for years, even as major brands respond to consumer concerns about labor rights. The literature and reports from credible organizations underline that addressing child labor requires more than consumer outrage; it requires systemic changes that connect market incentives with strong labor standards, accountability, and practical protections for children’s education and well-being (HRW, 2017; ILO, 2017; Fairtrade International, 2017).
What can be done to end this problem? First, strengthen international and national governance of labor standards. This includes robust enforcement of age-appropriate schooling, minimum age laws, and safe working conditions, along with targeted programs to keep children in school and out of work where appropriate. The ILO’s reporting on child labor highlights the persistent gaps in enforcement and the need for comprehensive national strategies that combine education, social protection, and labor market reforms (ILO, 2017). Second, corporations must implement credible supply-chain due diligence, transparent reporting, and verifiable audits that go beyond compliance checklists. OECD guidance and related governance analyses emphasize the role of responsible business conduct and the need for meaningful transparency to prevent child labor across supply chains (OECD, 2017). Third, bolster social protection and access to quality education. Policies aimed at poverty reduction, conditional cash transfers, and free, quality schooling help reduce the economic incentives for child labor and improve long-run outcomes for children (UNICEF, 2016; World Bank, 2013). Fourth, empower civil society and consumers to demand ethical sourcing. Public awareness and advocacy, supported by credible third-party certifications such as Fairtrade and independent audits, can shift market expectations and create incentives for brands to reform (Fairtrade International, 2017; HRW, 2017). Fifth, pursue multi-stakeholder engagement, combining government action, brand accountability, supplier capacity-building, and community-level interventions to address root causes such as poverty, school access, gender inequality, and household vulnerability (UN, 2015; Save the Children, 2019).
In the context of Pakistan and similar settings, dedicated attention to industrial zones, worker representation, and independent monitoring can yield tangible improvements. The problem is not simply about a single factory or a country; it is about global production networks that require collective action to ensure that participation in globalization does not come at the expense of children’s rights. By aligning market incentives with human capital development—through enforceable standards, robust education and social protection, and transparent, accountable supply chains—globalization can be steered toward outcomes that strengthen rather than undermine childhood development. The path forward includes urgent policy action, responsible business conduct, and sustained investment in people, education, and opportunity, guided by the ethical commitments outlined by international organizations and human-rights advocacy groups (ILO, 2017; UN, 2015; HRW, 2017; UNICEF, 2016; Fairtrade International, 2017).