Expert: Benjamin Davidson - 11/22/2010

Question
Hello Benjamin i have a few question for you about child labor.  My history teacher has assigned a position to every student in our class, the two positions are either for child labor or against it. I have been assigned the role of debating that child labor is needed. It is a contest and i really need help!!!
I need to know: 1. 2 or 3 quotes or paraphrased references to a primary source explaining how it proves child labor is something that should be supported.
2. why is it important to Britain?
Please Help:)  

Answer
I see you've been given the harder option. I'm afraid as for finding particular quotes in favour of child labor, I haven't been able to find any. I'm not surprised as it's not something anyone would want to be quoted on if they were in favour of child labor.

But you can argue that in undeveloped countries like India and asia, children have to work from an early age because wages are so low in those countries. If the children didn't work then families would have food to live on. This was once the case in pre 19th century Europe, but as countries become more developed and civilized, there is a lesser need for child labor. Child labor was ended in Britain in the mid 19th century, with the Education Act, when it was decided to make children go to school until they 14.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.