This is pretty terrifying to me. I recognize that a grade school student earning some income can be helpful for them and/or their family, but endangering their health and childhood is a no-go for me.
Pretty much all I see is, “If we need to keep capitalism going, we gotta indoctrinate them young.”
“Protect the children”
Many conservatives also say that teens, fewer of whom are in the workforce today than in past decades, could help fill empty jobs in tight labor markets.
Why do I have a feeling this is referring to underpaid and overabused retail and food service industries in particular. Someone wants their food at McDonald’s faster.
I already think adults need to have reduced hours, no way am I going to suggest kids work more.
Nah. They know most of those McDonalds jobs will be gone in 10 years as fast food becomes more and more automated. This is about immigrant children working on farms, in slaughterhouses, and doing other back-breaking or horrific jobs no one wants to do. https://www.vox.com/policy/2023/5/3/23702464/child-labor-laws-youth-migrants-work-shortage
