Child Entrepreneur
By jay2011
@jay2011 (40)
India
October 9, 2011 6:51am CST
After schools children of poor families in India ventures to market areas to sell several products, mostly vegetables. Being a welfare State, the Government of India, is providing rice/wheat at cheaper rate to poor families who are living below the poverty line. At the same time, most of the Government run schools have effectively implemented the largest feeding program, Mid day Meal (MDM) for school children. Although, most of adult members of such families are involved in some kinds of jobs, the children still have to go to market with vegetables to earn few bucks. One can not call them child laborer as they are not employed by anyone. However, they are being used as means of money earning. These 'child entrepreneur' are getting lessons about harsh reality of life from very early stage of life.
4 responses
@seera07 (13)
• India
9 Oct 11
I like the word "Child Entrepreneurs", you have given a great name and value to those who are surviving by these means. Govt have to take some advance steps to make them more stronger. No doubts they are earning by their own and it's not child labour. But there must be some jobs which a needy child can do in shadow. But system is deaf and dumb, it responds to high voices only.
@jay2011 (40)
• India
9 Oct 11
Hi
Yes, I do also think that the government should come up with some schemes that will help these 'child entrepreneur's to grow and learn how to utilize money judiciously and investment opportunities. Once these children get financial literacy, there will be a real chance of having a better future. Thanks for your comment.
@whatrow (792)
• United States
10 Oct 11
I see nothing wrong with school age children selling vegetables. If it brings a few more dollars into the family, and it is not forced upon them, why not? It also keeps them out of trouble.
@r3jcorp (1382)
• Philippines
9 Oct 11
There are many children here who are also earning at a very young age. The sad thing is that there are a number of them who cannot even send by their parents to school. When I was in elementary, I used to bring extra foods from our retail store to sell to my classmates for extra money. Then during summer day, I also had small business that I do. My mother would let us do that to realize how to value money and to work hard for it.
@ardoy0731 (7308)
• Philippines
10 Oct 11
It's sad to hear and see those children who are working at a very young age.At that age they already thinking how to help their family and survive in life.I hope that those children will just enjoy life the way it should be for them.I hope we can think of any solution for this problem.Unity and cooperation.
