Abstract / Excerpt:

This research is a baseline study on child labor in Digos City. I t involves a formulation of a plan for social work interventions based on the findings. It is premised on a strong belief that the problem on child labor could only be appropriately addressed if its actual extent is known.

A total of two hundred sixty (260) children was used in this study. The descriptive method was utilized. A modified structured questionnaire was used based on the objectives of the study.

The statistical tools used were percentage computation and weighted mean.

Findings of the study showed that child labor, as a complex issue, is a reality all of us must have to confront as long as poverty and social inequity exist. Faced with economic difficulties, children are left with no other alternative but to engage in any income-generating work or related endeavors.

Consequently, child labor deprived the children of their inalienable right to live as children. Working children faced the damaging effects of work on their health, on their studies, and the concomitant detriment on their psycho-social beings.

Furthermore, this study showed that there is indeed that necessity on the part of the children and their respective families for these children to engage in work. Ironically, absolute eradication of child labor is tantamount to depriving the children and their families of the right to survival, right to education, and a right to wholesome family life. Thus, with this grim reality, it becomes imperative for the society to ensure their protection and to provide them with much-needed assistance.

The study, based on its findings, recommends multifaceted social work interventions. These include the following: organization of working children, provision of support services to child laborers and their families, organization of parents, guardians and other care benefactors, and establishments of some protective mechanisms that may provide protection of the children's rights.

Info

Source Institution	Ateneo de Davao University
Unit	Social Science
Authors	Felomina M. Navidad
Page Count	13
Place of Publication	Davao City
Original Publication Date	October 1, 2012
Tags	Baseline, CHILD Program, Child Labor, Children, Labor, Research

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