In Response to Child Labor..

Every child has a dream. It might be to have all the toys in the world, or maybe it is to live in a magical kingdom. These dreams are crucial to the lives of the youth. They define who these children are; their ever-seeking imagination holds the potential to solve the problems of the future. The youth of today will be the leaders of tomorrow and every child deserves the right to have an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams and aspirations.When I think of a child, I imagine kids running around playing with toys. I imagine them reading a book or learning at school. I imagine that they do not carry the burdens of the adult-world and they live in peace. No child should have to put aside their childhood or their dreams for the sake of profit. A child is not a slave; they are not a mere chess piece in the huge game of power-hungry figures and companies. Child labor is a crime that is in no way moral nor ethical in today's modern society. A child must never be exploited of their human rights to benefit the upper class. More than 200 million children are still forced into child labor today who are being mentally, physically, socially, and morally harmed. I am appalled by the extent of this issue, as it is so prevalent today. I am very fortunate to have had a childhood filled with love and adventures, as well as access to education and many supporting resources. It is hard for me to imagine myself in another child's shoes who, unfortunately, live a much more difficult life. We must come together and bring about an effort to change the current state of this situation and better the lives of these suffering children. I hope to one day live in a world where child labor is eliminated, where every child lives free and well to achieve their hopes and dreams.