Child Labor Laws: Harmful to Agriculture Essay -- Farming

Virtually everyone who grows up on a farm has chores to do. This has been the case for countless generations. Conversely, household duties often replaced farm chores as more and more families moved to the city. Nonetheless, in the dwindling agricultural sector of society, the entire family often continues their involvement in the farming operation. Participating in the family business and contributing to its sustainability creates valuable life lessons for children and teenagers. It is also a vital practice in preparing the future farmers of America. However, this practice will come to a halt once the Department of Labor enacts new rules restricting children from performing agricultural work. Articles such as, â€Å"Changes In Child Labor Laws Affect Farm Kids,† by Stu Ellis from Dairy Herd Network, â€Å"New Child Labor Laws Could Be Detrimental to Farms,† by Megan Loberg from Eat.Pray.Farm., and â€Å"Changes To Child Labor Laws Hurt Farmers,† by Bob Confer from Tonawanda News, agree that the changes pending for the child labor laws will adversely affect the future of agriculture. The three articles assert that it is essential for the development of new farmers to begin at an early age. The commentaries address the uniqueness of growing up on a farm, the irrationalities of the new laws, and damage to the future of agriculture due to delayed education. Farming is an unusual occupation according to today’s standards because, in most cases, it is not just the responsibility of the patriarch, but the vocation for the entire family. As said by Confer, â€Å"Farming is not a job. It’s a lifestyle.† Although this practice may seem archaic to people unfamiliar with the complexities of agriculture, family labor is vital to the success of the smal... ...arized by a statement from Ellis, â€Å"If you are a farm kid, raise your hand. Now, everyone else look at those whose hands are raised because they will soon be as scarce as a World War II veteran.† Works Cited Confer, Bob. "Changes To Child Labor Laws Hurt Farmers." Tonawanda News. N.p., 22 Nov. 2011. Web. 2 Apr. 2012. CONFER-Changes-to-child-labor-laws-hurt-farmers>. Ellis, Stu. "Changes In Child Labor Laws Affect Farm Kids." Dairy Herd Network. Vance Publishing Group, 1 Nov. 2011. Web. 2 Apr. 2012. Commentary-Changes-in-child-labor-laws-affecting-farm-kids-132994943.html>. Loberg, Megan. "New Child Labor Laws Could Be Detrimental To Farms." Eat.Pray.Farm. N.p., 29 Nov. 2011. Web. 2 Apr. 2012. .