GOP presidentidal candidate hopeful Newt Gingrich is getting a lot of backlash for making a statement declaring that child labor laws are "truly stupid." He believes that kids in poor areas should be able to get jobs before and after school to help earn some money.
In our household, we did not hold jobs until we were adults. As children we worked for the family businesses every weekend, and during the week we focused on our studies. Only when leaving to go to college did I take on two full-time outside jobs while in school.
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My job before that was to be the best student I could be. For doing that job well, my parents would award me. When I got a full scholarship to college, my parents used the money they saved for school to buy me a car.
Then there were families around me who had their children working by 14 or 15. Big purchases like cars had to have the kid save up enough for their down payment. Extracurricular activities came straight out of their paychecks.
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There are undoubtedly benefits to both. For the jobless who focus on school, getting good grades to lead to scholarship is a great way to be rewarded for their hard work. For those that work, they learn a good work ethic and can begin learning about a trade.
Do you believe that child labor laws are "truly stupid?" What age will you let your child begin to work and what limitations will you put on them when they start working?
Do you agree with Mr. Gingrich?
