During the early 1900's, when most crops were still planted and harvested by hand, children worked side by side with their parents in farms. Children worked in the fresh air and learned useful skills and valuable lessons. Today, child labor is no longer a healthy activity. Today, child labor denies children of a normal life and provides a risky environment.

Though restrictions on child labor exist in most nations, more than two hundred million children are currently employed all around the world. These children work the longest hours, are paid the least amount of all workers, and endure working conditions that are hazardous to their health and mental development. Exploitative child labor is a complex issue, since many countries consider it a natural, acceptable way of life that is the result of poverty.

Child labor is a growing problem throughout the world, especially in developing countries. It is...