Full transcript
0:02Life is like a clock . There is a time
0:04for everything . Time to eat , study ,
0:07play , and time to work . In João's
0:12family , this schedule isn't strictly
0:15followed . He is only 9 years old and
0:17spends every afternoon doing farm work .
0:21At the end of the day , he's exhausted
0:24and can barely do his homework . João
0:29is not the only one . In Brazil , child
0:32labor is a sad reality . The Brazilian
0:35Constitution and the Child and
0:37Adolescent Statute focus on this
0:40problem , ensuring a child's right to be
0:42a child . Since the 1990s , the country
0:46has focused its efforts on enforcing
0:48the law and eliminating child labor .
0:51Since then , the rates have dropped , but
0:54they are still very concerning . The
0:58reasons that lead a child to work early
1:00are countless . Helping support the home
1:03, lack of public policies , and cultural
1:06values . For many families , work is seen
1:09as protection against marginalization
1:11and poverty . A distorted view that
1:15makes farm work and domestic work some
1:18of the worst forms of child labor . But
1:22it's worth remembering that some
1:24occasional tasks are allowed , like
1:26washing dishes , learning to garden , and
1:28making their own bed . Actions without
1:32risk that strengthen the sense of
1:34solidarity and awaken a sense of
1:36responsibility . In Brazil , work is
1:42prohibited for those under 16 . It
1:45disrupts the development cycle and
1:47brings serious consequences . Children
1:50who work with waste are exposed to the
1:53sun , rain , and toxic products . By
1:57carrying heavy loads , they can develop
1:59spinal problems and bone deformities .
2:01Children handling toxic products like
2:04pesticides can have skin problems and
2:06difficulty breathing . They can also
2:09become depressed . On the streets , they
2:12can be victims of violence or gain
2:14access to drugs . Apprenticeship
2:17programs are allowed , but with specific
2:19rules . Carlos , João's 15 - year-old
2:23friend , is an apprentice at a
2:25cooperative office . He divides his time
2:29between school and the apprenticeship
2:31program , an experience of social
2:32interaction in a corporate environment
2:34and professional qualification . This is
2:38a strategy that has helped in
2:40eradicating child labor , as well as
2:43full-time education and including
2:45families in income-generation programs .
2:50Other attitudes are also fundamental :
2:53not buying products and services from
2:55children , monitoring school attendance ,
2:58inspecting , and reporting . Educators
3:03can also contribute . It is possible to
3:06work on the topic in class , debate the
3:09causes and local data , propose
3:11activities , revive old games , involve
3:14parents and students , raise the reasons
3:17for dropout , and suggest publications
3:19and websites on the subject . The topic
3:24is on the UN agenda , which aims to
3:26eliminate child labor by 2025 . Each of
3:31us can fight for this cause and help
3:33change the reality for João and
3:35thousands of other children and
3:37adolescents . We must respect the cycles
3:42of life , follow the clock of time , and
3:44make childhood a full and happy stage ,
3:47capable of shaping citizens more aware
3:50of their rights and duties .