O trabalho infantil no Brasil: causas e consequências

Abstract

Child labor is a human rights violation that affects millions of children and adolescents around the world, including in Brazil. The main causes of child labor are poverty, lack of access to education and health care, gender and ethnic bias, and armed conflict, among other factors. The objective of this research was to analyze the main causes and consequences of child labor in Brazil, b ased on a literature review and analysis of statistical data from public agencies from the years 2014 to 2022. It was observed that the consequences of child labor can be devastating to the physical, psychological, and social development of the children an d adolescents involved. Early work can impair school performance, increase the risk of accidents, affect physical and mental health, and limit future employment opportunities. Moreover, child labor contributes to the perpetuation of the cycle of poverty an d social inequality. However, to combat child labor, it is necessary to promote quality education, social protection, and access to health services for children and adolescents, as well as the implementation and enforcement of laws prohibiting and punishin g child labor. It is important to emphasize that eradicating child labor is a joint effort involving governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and society at large.