In this ever-twisted hall of mirrors we've the gall to call civilization, the thinly veiled hypocrisy of so-called child labor laws acts like a deranged preacher barking sermons of protection and virtue. Stripping our young, like maniacal dental hygienists, of the grit and grime that birthed resilience in a bygone era - a baptism by fire that carved character out of raw-boned desperation and grueling sweat. These laws, my friend, they make coddled hostages of our offspring, clinging to the comforts of sanitized childhood, devoid of the hearty crucible of work's demands. The system is a diabolical puppeteer, offering up a sanitized, sterile version of life - all the while whispering, 'it's for your own good, kiddo.' But when these tender-footed children emerge, blink into the harsh light of adulthood, bereft of the hardened steel that labor forges, we have only ourselves and our sickened, overprotective system to blame.
People used to think that trauma makes us stronger. What it does is permanently scar those who do not have the support or resilience to develop healthy coping mechanisms.
There is, of course, a line - i don’t think working at McDonald’s when you are 17 is trauma. But working physical labor when you are 12 is.
The dose makes the poison. Labor that’s moderately difficult for a 12 year old isn’t inherently a big deal, a 12 year old trying to keep up with a workload beyond their physical, mental, or emotional limits is serious trauma.
Young actors or athletes can work very demanding jobs without suffering directly, it’s everything around that work which is often problematic. I bring this up because it’s suffering that’s problematic be that at an elite prep school or a factory, however 12 year olds often enjoy being productive when it’s within their capabilities.
ChatGPT Prompt: Write a pontificating argument in favor of child labor filled with allegories, similes, use poetic language that sounds convincing but lacks details and is meant to evoke an emotional and patriotic feeling in readers.
> so-called child labor laws acts like a deranged preacher barking sermons of protection and virtue
uh yeah? because children are the most vulnerable in our society and need to be protected from people who are trying to exploit them? do you make this same argument for age of consent laws?
> a baptism by fire that carved character out of raw-boned desperation and grueling sweat
i prefer our current standards of living. i suspect that five-year-olds do too.
> The system is a diabolical puppeteer, offering up a sanitized, sterile version of life
yes, this is what progress looks like. instead of toiling in mines, our children can be children.
Cute. Except again and again we see (and research confirms) that the most resourceful, resilient adults are those who are not forced to display emotional or physical fortitude in childhood. Otherwise you'd expect to see former child soldiers and adult children of drug addicts reaching the highest pinnacles of achievement.
Poe's Law applies to the parent comment: "Without a clear indicator of the author's intent, any parodic or sarcastic expression of extreme views can be mistaken by some readers for a sincere expression of those views."
