NationStates Jolt Archive

Dear fellow UN members,

I have recently submitted two proposals that I feel you should be aware of.

One is around eradicating Child Labour across the World the other is the proposal to lauch a football (soccer) world cup.

Please take some time out to read my proposals and make your decision whether or not to approve them. I am sure both could add a great deal to UN members

Catholic Europe supports the first proposal. The second one already occurs.

We are on World Cup IX, I believe (Check in the NS forum).

Joshu concurs with the first notion. On the second notion of soccer/football cups, Joshu will remain impartial.

The Federation of Soltak supports the proposal to eliminate child labor and remains indifferent regarding the sports proposal.

The Commonwealth of P4lladia strongly agrees with the first notion, and does not like soccer.

We would like to ask why children should not be permitted to work if they want to.

We would like to ask why children should not be permitted to work if they want to.

Children are incapable of making the decision. Furthermore, a child is in much greater danger in the workplace than an adult.

Additionally, childhood should be spent learning about things and having a good time, not slaving away in a factory or fast-food restaurant.

We would like to ask why children should not be permitted to work if they want to.

Children are incapable of making the decision. Furthermore, a child is in much greater danger in the workplace than an adult.

Additionally, childhood should be spent learning about things and having a good time, not slaving away in a factory or fast-food restaurant.

So let me get this right. You're positions are:

1) Children do not have rights
and, by corollary,
2) Children belong to the State

Is that what you're trying to say?

A friend of mine is 15 and makes $45/hour modelling. Is she "slaving away"?

Plus what if a child enjoys working in a factory/fast food restaurant? Or are you saying that the State has the right to tell us what we do and do not enjoy too?

I think you miss my point and the point of the proposal. It is not to 'take away' the right of children to work, it is to regulate it in a manner that would eliminate working situations that would be harmful or detrimental to children.

Kudos to your friend, unfortunately, the children truly affected by this will not be modeling, they will be working in sweat shops making shoes for 50 cents and hour, and that's if they're lucky.

I couldn't care any less about your friend's modeling career, or the kid that likes working at Burger King. When I start caring is if they have to work 80 hours a week for 2 bucks an hour.


So let me get this right. You're positions are:

1) Children do not have rights
and, by corollary,
2) Children belong to the State


Not only are you wrong, you don't pay attention. Had you been paying even a modicum of attention, you would know that the Federation was responsible for offering a resolution called 'The Children's Bill of Rights.'

Get your facts straight before you start firing away.

I think you miss my point and the point of the proposal. It is not to 'take away' the right of children to work, it is to regulate it in a manner that would eliminate working situations that would be harmful or detrimental to children.

Kudos to your friend, unfortunately, the children truly affected by this will not be modeling, they will be working in sweat shops making shoes for 50 cents and hour, and that's if they're lucky.

I couldn't care any less about your friend's modeling career, or the kid that likes working at Burger King. When I start caring is if they have to work 80 hours a week for 2 bucks an hour.

So a child making shoes at $.50 an hour can only be harmful? If an adult can be safe doing this, then it is reasonable to assume a child can be safe doing this. If the environment is designed with a child's height and reach in mind, safety would be no problem. Also, what is wrong with a child that wants to work for 2 bucks an hour or even $.50 an hour? Would you deny a poor, starving kid in a 3rd world country that job if they are currently begging for change from tourists? Could that child get $40.00 from the tourists? For only 80 hours a week, they get $40.00 per week at $.50 per hour. In a 3rd world country, that could be a gold mine.

Factory work has other benifits for children besides just income. It provides shelter from the eliments and keeps the child occupied, which keeps that child out of trouble. Hard work values are what this world needs. Hard work is best taught at an early age. It is inhumane to not teach a child the valuable lesson of hard work.

Fools. For once it would seem that I am in agreement with Soltak on the matter. If the other nations involved in this discussion have seen my previous statements, you likely know what to expect. But allow me to reiterate my position and tailor it to this issue specifically. Essentially, it boils down to the mere fact that children are the future of any nation and it is the duty of the state to protect that future, and thus the children.

As Soltak said, children are incapable of making such a decision. No matter what they say they want, they are not mentally, and emotionally mature enough to make said decision. Allow me to use two somewhat extreme examples. You say if the children want to do it, why not let them as they are able? Why not let them climb a several hundred foot redwood if they are able? Because it's not safe. And it's a parent's duty to protect them from that which can harm them. Secondly, envision, if you will, the following hypothetical situation: every child in your country is working. What becomes of their education, and thus, your nation's future? No, you are gravely mistaken on this issue.

Childhood is a time for learning. Educational instruction in school, learning by doing, learning social skills through play and interaction with other children. That is what's important. Even if a child, even a teenager, can make $45 and hour modelling, that should be a hobby, not something they are paid to do. Because when you introduce the variable of money, then you also add the stress of deadlines and the chance that their schooling will suffer.

If you support such a resolution, you deal a crticical blow to the future of your nation and the Commonwealth of the Pure Existence will have no part of this. Subject your nation to what you will, but do not force your misguided ideas on us.

Yours,
Maestro Proteus
Progenitor, and Caretaker of the Commonwealth of the Pure Existence

I applaud the honorable delegate for making this argument so eloquently. Those of you who support this resolution do not truly care about your nation, or your nation's children.