A Summary of The impact of Child labour on a Child

There are different impact of child labour on the children that cannot be overlooked , it affects all areas of the child these includes both mentally, physically, socially, academically to mention a few. This post is a summary of these impacts.

UNICEF defines child labour to be any job that is full time, that puts social and  phycological pressure in performing them which involves horrible situation, insufficient wage,  extreme  responsibility that destroys the dignity and self confidence of a child, that prevent a child from going to school and is exploitative and affects all round development of a child. This is the yardstick for definition of child labour.

For more information on Child labour check my previous posts on child Labour.

The increase of child labour is an issue that needs to be tackled especially because of the several impacts it has on the children and society at large. The impact of child labour on children is multifaced, it is important to note that child labour of any sort is detrimental to a child and has affected the children academically or educationally wise, socially, health wise, mentally. It also  have a strong implication and serious consequences on the psychological development of children.( Momen N. 2020, p2)

Educationally, child labour affects access to  educational institution which in turns affects a child academic performance. Once this happens, the child then lags behind educationally and there is a negative consequence on the cognitive development on the child or children. This in turn reinforces a cycle of unskilled man power and the persistence of poverty. ( Momen N. 2020, p1) In the case of children working in cassava farms, because of the long hours need in work, they are unable to go to school which the compromises their education and undermine the children’s future.

Another impact of Child labour is exposure to violence. This really affects a child, as the children who are exposed to child labour is most times than not exposed to violence.

In summary , going by the Definition adopted here to define child labour, it suffices to say the Impact of child labour on children is multifaceted. It affects the development of a child. It affects a child academically or educationally wise, socially, health wise, mentally, Psychologically to mention a few. child labour affects a child’s access to  educational institution, exposes a child to violence.

For reference purposes: Kadishi Oliseh. 2024. Child Labour and Cassava Farming in South
Western Nigeria 2004- 2021 in Oladejo M., Adetutu S. and Omobowale M. CHILDHOOD IDENTITIES AND WELLBEING IN NIGERIA:BEING, BELONGING AND BECOMING. IBADAN: SCaRPE-A. Pp 40-48

This work was presented at the national conference convened by SCaRPE-A Nigeria held at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, on March 28, 2024. Theme of the conference CHILDHOOD IDENTITIES AND WELLBEING IN NIGERIA:BEING, BELONGING AND BECOMING. 

Paper found in Chapter five: Child Labour and Cassava Farming in South
Western Nigeria 2004- 2021

For full paper : https://coeidentities.mak.ac.ug/sites/default/files/2024-03/SCARPE-A-NIGERIA-NATIONAL-CONFERENCE-BOOK-OF-PROCEEDINGS.pdf