[Rippin]

Under a system of pure capitalism, we'd still have child labor because they wouldn't be any legislation prohibiting it.

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Under pure Capitalism, children would work at the optimum level as decided by the family in light of its constraints and values and the opportunities available.

Child labor in drug running and prostitution is arguably much more prevalent BECUASE of these laws.

[babyface00]

Child labor in drug running and prostitution is arguably much more prevalent BECUASE of these laws.

What? You're saying that simply passing legislation doesn't just magically make problems go away, but instead pushes them into underground and often more illegal activities?

I'm shocked, I tell you. Shocked.

[x]

Child labor in drug running and prostitution is arguably much more prevalent BECUASE of these laws.

Well, you'd have to specify where and when. Is children's involvement in drug running and prostitution higher in the US because of child labor laws? That's doubtful.

You'd have a better case in talking about Third World countries. But consider a situation where kids have jobs in the Nike factory and their parents, poor farmers or fishermen don't. Then the kid hears about that there's more money and an easier life in running drugs or prostitution, so he or she goes that way. One could at least make the case that laws that kept the kids in school serve a purpose.