Abstract

RAUSKY, María Eugenia. Childhood without work or working childhood? Perspectives on child work. Rev.latinoam.cienc.soc.niñez juv [online]. 2009, vol.7, n.2, pp.681-706. ISSN 1692-715X.

Different institutions and actors put into circulation their views on children’s labor and, very frequently, these views reflect negative moral references sustained on the idea that children, when they engage in labor, they experience detrimental effects on their welfare and on what is properly expected for their early years of life. In this article, I aim at analyzing one of those particular views, specifically that one constructed by non-governmental institutions about children’s labor, and at reviewing both conceptual developments, policy proposals and positions taken (abolitionism versus protectionism) with regard to working minors. What considerations are built around boys and girls’ labor activities?, what are the underlying conceptions on childhood? What courses of action are proposed vis-à-vis the existing problems? Each one of the said views is filled with values and is full of ideological conflicts with reference to what is considered appropriate for children. To carry out this analysis, I selected the visions sustained by organizations with opposite views and which have devoted great attention to the problems I am dealing with here. On one side, the International Labor Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund, which advocate for the eradication of children’s work. On the other hand, the perspective of the Institute for Training Educators for Working Youths and Adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean (Ifejant), an institution which supports and promotes children’s work.

Keywords : child labor; views on child labor; non-governmental organizations.

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