The Paradox of Child Labor and Sociology: Issues and Perspectives

Abstract

As society was constituted by unequals the possessed and dispossessed, the child who had to work to supplement or survive belonged to the dispossessed. The dispossessed economically depended on the owner of means of production lived always in want and deprivation. Such situation had existed in the past, perhaps in a most ruthless manner, and the conditionality of the existence and continuation was socio-politically sanctioned by that time. In-depth Anthropological study has acquired a great relevance to the present day problem emphasizing on, how community evaluates the risks associated with child labour. It is also most important to know the extent to which people are responsive to the various policies and programmes [27] of both Government and NGOs. The differences in the mental attitudes and outlooks regarding the causes for the existence of child labour in traditional societies and the modern societies are so important for the sociologists. Also the study demands a deep analysis of the broader framework of community norms regarding childhood as a life phase, the rights of children and the age and gender appropriateness for different types of work. This paper sheds light on how various social and cultural factors are embedded in the existence of child labour.