In many countries, children are engaged in some kind of paid work. Some people regard this as completely wrong, while others consider it as valuable work experience, important for learning and taking responsibility. Discuss both the views and give your own opinion.

Children’s involvement in some sort of paid job has been a highly controversial issue across various countries. I agree with the statement that
such
an early engagement in job inflicts serious harm on youngsters’ development in certain fashions, yet I cannot deny that they could drive some benefits from early
work
experience
if the
work
environment is favourable for them and they do it beside their studies. To commence with, child labour poses a serious threat to some extent, especially in
third
world countries where children
work
instead
of going to schools. In those countries, many children are forced to undertake gruelling works
such
as mining, construction, agriculture and fishing to name but a few. Not only do they carry out hazardous activities but
also
work
under harsh conditions, like being exposed to poisonous chemicals
for example
.
Consequently
, there is a fair chance that children may succumb to deadly diseases as they are susceptible to diseases. Children working in agriculture,
for instance
, are frequently exposed to pesticides, which results in respiratory problems.
Besides
, once
such
poor kids start earning money, chances are they will never return to schools and
hence
their
work
experience
has little value in their education. I,
however
, personally support the notion that children should be exposed to some job activities, which pave the way for acquiring hands-on experiences to facilitate their personal development. But parents and the government must ensure that the environment in which these kids
work
is safe and good for them. Practical
work
experience
provides children with a golden opportunity to hone their skills
such
as teamwork, problem-solving skills, communication skills and so on. A case in point is the recent study which reveals that many employers value soft skills and important social skills more than
t
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the
a
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heoretical knowledge of an academic discipline.
Besides
, these children can
also
master the skills of financial management, like budgeting, spending, and saving
for instance
, which will prove to be important for the rest of their life. To conclude, while in many cases, children are at risk of serious harm from their workplace, I would argue that many activities open up ample opportunity for gaining crucial skills, which give them a competitive advantage.
Therefore
, children ought to engage in some
work
in a good working condition that provides them with useful
experience
.
Submitted by Siji Anish on

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Word Count

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Topic Vocabulary:
  • Child labor
  • Exploitation
  • Minimum age
  • Work experience
  • Survival
  • Taking responsibility
  • Education
  • Poverty
  • Legal restrictions
  • Physical toll
  • Psychological impact
  • Cultural perceptions
  • International conventions
  • Economic impact
  • Work-study programs
  • Skilled labor
  • Unskilled labor
  • Developing economies
  • Moral implications
  • Professional development
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