April 2006

Teacher Guide prepared by: Leslie Anderson Morales

Children have been used for slave labor for thousands of years. An estimated 246 million children around the world work at undesirable and dangerous tasks for 10 to 14 hours a day. In what countries do child laborers work? Besides agriculture, what other forms of child labor exist? Why do people hire child laborers?

One person can accomplish a lot. Kailash Satyarthi lives in India. He has dedicated his life to saving the lives of enslaved children.

• What kinds of activities does he take part in to help oppressed children?
• Describe the personal sacrifices he has made.
• What steps has Satyarthi taken to make sure that his mission is accomplished if he should die or be killed?

Experts disagree on some aspects of the definition of child labor. Why do you think this is?

American consumers benefit directly and indirectly from global child labor. As you make a list of products, name the country and find the country on a map or in an atlas.

• List some of the agricultural products that come to our supermarkets and kitchens.
• List some of the household items that come to our homes.
• List some of the personal items that we wear or enjoy.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has been signed and ratified by 192 countries. Two countries have not ratified this convention: Somalia and the United States. What are the penalties for countries that have ratified the convention but do not follow it?

Tens of thousands of little boys - many from the age of three to seven - have been forced to work as camel jockeys. They come from countries such as Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and the Sudan. Sometimes they have been kidnapped. Sometimes they have been purchased from poor parents who with money and many mouths to feed. Often the children are starved to keep their weight down. They race the camels at speeds between 25 and 35 mph.

• Imagine that you are a child camel jockey. Write a page or two about a day in your life.

Factories can be dangerous places for all workers. Children are at special risk. Dangerous work also takes place in garbage dumps, on farms, and in gold mines.

• Imagine that you work in such a place. Write a page or two about a day in your life. Include a description of the injuries or illnesses that you experience or witness.

Iqbal Masih, a former child slave from Pakistan, inspired many people to action after they heard him speak out against child labor. He was only 12 years old when he was murdered. Student, teachers, parents and local business owners responded to his death with positive action.

• List and describe some of the things that happened because people were not "scared into silence."
• Name other leaders who have been murdered. Describe how people responded

  with positive action to their deaths.

Laws about child labor are not always enforced. Why do you think this is?

Companies and industries have responded to pressure to stop using child labor and to follow laws against child labor. Give some examples of how they have changed their practices and how they let consumers know they do not support child labor.

Children work long and hard in American fields. They help their families earn money by harvesting fruits and vegetables. Federal child labor law does not protect farm worker children. Children working in agriculture can work at younger ages and do more dangerous tasks at younger ages than other working children. What are some of the short-term and long-term negative consequences of helping their families?