This article is part of TPM Cafe, TPM’s home for opinion and news...

A movement to weaken American child labor protections at the state level began in 2022. By June 2023, Arkansas, Iowa, New Jersey and New Hampshire had enacted this kind of legislation, and lawmakers in at least another eight states had introduced similar measures.

  • cultsuperstar
    4•2 years ago

    They want more people in the work force. I’ve been working since I was 16. They just want to squeeze as much labor out of us as they can. Lower the age to 12 and that’s 4 more years. Raise the retirement age couple of years, and put people in a position where they can’t really retire (hence getting rid of student loan debt forgiveness). Hell, a lot of people already can’t retire. We’re born, basically have about 4 years off, then it’s school, maybe college. Most people are already in the work force in some capacity by high school. And that’s basically it. Work til we die. That’s our life lol. Oh, except for the ultra rich. They don’t have to do shit.

    • bedrooms
      2•2 years ago

      I honestly wonder why we expect ourselves to work so much. Spoiler: rich people work significantly less.

  • holo_nexus
    3•2 years ago

    We shouldn’t be shocked when the education levels of these states (literacy, math, writing, etc) starts to decrease in the near future. It’s not like these politicians, companies, people care sadly, but with the less time teenagers are going to have for studies, extracurricular, and usual teenage things, we can definitely expect to see even further decrease in grades and proficiency levels.

    Grades are one thing, but the mental toll and stress a lot teenagers face due to not being have to have an effective school/work/life balance is insane. I have seen a further decrease on these students mental health since the pandemic started (especially now with inflation impact lower SES families) since alot of them have to work to provide for the family as well.

    • mohKohn
      1•2 years ago

      A less educated electorate is a more conservative one, so its very much in their political interest to de-incentivize education.

    • slicedcheesegremlin
      1•2 years ago

      really borrowing from China’s playbook to increase population and “bring industry back to the US,” are we?

  • xc2215x
    2•2 years ago

    They cared about the kids when it was abortion, gay or trans issues only.

  • Ironbeagle
    2•2 years ago

    America really if in a race to the bottom. I’m afraid to see how low they can go.

  • Flaky_Fish69
    2•2 years ago

    Party of family value, folks.

    Those kids are worth at least 12.50/hour

    • admiralteal
      2•2 years ago

      Why pay them $12.50 when you can pay $7.25?

      Why pay $7.25 if you can pay less?

  • smokinjoe
    2•2 years ago

    There’s a shocking amount of money in the orphan crushing machine

  • xuxebiko
    1•2 years ago

    Child labour is a crime against humanity. To get to the root of a crime, ask yourself ‘Cui bono?’ (who benefits?) and you’ll know who the criminals are.

  • comedy
    1•2 years ago

    Instead of paying adults actual decent wages, pay children less for the same work! What could go wrong?

    • ProdSlash
      2•2 years ago

      They read Upton Sinclair and decided it was a How To manual, not a warning.

    • Waryspice
      2•2 years ago

      I wasn’t expecting New Hampshire either. Honestly surprised it’s not any of the deep south states.

      • bagelman
        2•2 years ago

        New Hampshire has always had a libertarian streak, so they sometimes push rightwards on economic issues.

      • pizza_rolls
        1•2 years ago

        New Hampshire is becoming full of Trump worshippers unfortunately, outside of the heavily populated areas

      • Drusas
        1•2 years ago

        Florida will probably be next, what with how they are deliberately driving migrants out of the state despite relying heavily on them.