At what age is it acceptabe for a child to work?

Question

My Daughter is 5 and to be honest i just don't get enough benefit money to support her, as well as my social life.

Anyway i was explaining this to another Mum and she was saying that we could get them working on the land.Nothing to hard.Maybe just cutting cauliflower.Is this legal or should i wait till she's 6?What is the minimumage for a minor?

Answer 1

That's called child labor dont do that!

Answer 2

i agree 14

Answer 3

Its illegal its called child labour if you really wanted that money you wouldn't be telling strangers about your illegal operation and would have just made her work

Answer 4

she could do a paper round or regular babysitting,my parents were in the same situation as you. i used to babysit for a couple twice a week.they would save up the money and give it to me every 3 months and i used to go clothes shopping with it.it was a big help to my mum.i was a single parent and when my daughter was 16 she had 3 jobs,asda on reception on a saturday bakery dept on a sunday and tuesdays she worked at the local chippy which was handy she used to bring home all the left overs and we would share them out with our neighbours husband,all this money enabled her to buy her own clothes and go on holiday abroad.it was a big help to me i can tell you,

Answer 5

This is a joke right? Kids can't work until they're 14 in the US and then there's still limits to how much they can work. 5 or 6 is way too early. Stop supporting your social life and support your child.

Answer 6

13 as far as I know (part time work - UK)  - any younger could be classed as exploitation

Answer 7

Are you having a frigging laugh! Maybe you have just landed in England (but probably not) because this is a sick, sick joke. Maybe, cutting your throat and not cauliflowers would be a good idea. By the way, cauliflowers is quite a hard word to spell, so I think you may be a bull-shitte*!!

Answer 8

I know a few... errr... independant businessmen who could use her as a runner. it's easy money. All my kids do it, it's better than any stoopid education the 'schools' could give them. My kids are street. I'm gettin a new 75 inch plasma thanks to my kids hard work, god i love them

Answer 9

Sounds hunky dory to me!

Seeing as she's 5 maybe you could start her off with something small, say, a machete for the cauliflower.

When she turns 6 buy her a Scythe and bring in the big bucks!

Teach her how to drive then you've got your cab sorted too, the possibilities are endless!

Answer 10

It sounds like time to cut back on your social life.  At least for now.  It's not your child's job to keep you comfortable.

Answer 11

I think if she can hold a pair of scissors with cutting her own fingers off you go girl!

Answer 12

What are you thinking?  Kids have to grow up too soon as it is and you want a kindergartner to earn her keep.  You sick, sad person.

Answer 13

Did you not watch that program about Primark where there were under 10's working on clothing. It's called child labour, and it is illegal. A minor will not receive their National Insurance card until they are just about to turn 16. 14 is when you can get a paper round. Let your child enjoy her childhood. You've had yours, so it's now her turn.

Answer 14

OK i understand that money is tight but a 5 year old is ridiculous and ILLEGAL. you didn't say what country your from but most places is about 14 and that's only a few hours a week. and you said the benefit money isn't enough to support her and you social life. its not giving to you for your social life its for her . saying that is so irresponsible you need to cop on and realise your child is more important than your social life. Everyone has to make sacrifices for their children deal with it. What i really cant get over your saying its the benefit money that doesn't stretch far how dare you use money givin to help out with you child to use on having drink down the pub or whatever. That is an insult to her espesially if money is tight

Answer 15

I was 4 when I started my own business and making upward to $1000 a week during the summers. it was fun. I would get my mom to buy candy, etc..in bulk at BJs and then resell stuff in the neighborhood. I also used to do little crafts and sell then. nothing impressive but who would say no to a 4 years old? lol. it taught me valuable business skills. when i was in middle school my best friends and i published our own newspaper and sold ad space for money.

there is no law saying your child can not have her own business. start with a lemonade stand.

Of course there is also children in the enterntainment industry making TONS OF MONEY. Even just being in commercials she'll be making money.

Answer 16

I'd start off with something easier,if it's her first job.

Something like pulling carrots or picking tomatoes.

Seriously 5 is far too young to be handling a knife, what if she trips and falls, she could be injured, and you would never forgive yourself.

Answer 17

what the h**l???!!

either you're joking or you are not in America where that's ILLEGAL!

Answer 18

5 is way too young for a child... its also child labour, a child should be enjoying their life, with school and friends, not working, I'd say 14-16 for  a child to work.. i never got my first job til i was 16!

Answer 19

OMG that question is so obviously fake. You should've started her working as soon as she could walk you idiot!

Answer 20

Get her a scythe and have her cut wheat in the fields.

Answer 21

You can always just give her a short skirt and put her on a street corner...then she can be working along side you. No better role model then her mum, eh? ;-)

Answer 22

Ah, for the good old days of the textile mills!

At five, she's small enough so stuff low to the ground like strawberries won't be too much strain on her back. They're also easy to pick, and light. She's young you want to go easy on her.

I'd start there.

Answer 23

I agree with with Eclectric - getting your 5 year old to cut cauliflowers is appalling!  They are far to big and heavy for a 5 year old!  Follow Kate's advise and start her on strawberries.  Not only are they small and light, but she'll probably eat a couple of pound of them during her working day so you'll save money on your food shop too!  How many 5 years olds do you know that will eat raw cauliflower?

Answer 24

no! you do not put any child under the age of 14 to work! not in America...u get in trouble for that. now babysitting at 12, or 13....thats a different story....

Answer 25

So, let me get this right... you want your 5 year old to support your SOCIAL LIFE? I started working when I was 14, and that was early.

Answer 26

That is disgusting, your Mum should get a few brain cells. Do you want to be done for child abuse, Go get a job yourself and support your children and not the other way around. Ask your Mum did she make you do slave labour when you were 5 bet not. Cut out yourt Social Life you selfish b

A really angry Mum UK based.

Answer 27

If things are that tight.. then SHE should be your social life!!

Good grief.... trying to send a helpless 5 yr old out there to support herself.

I'm sorry, but what kind of mother are you?

You're supposed to protect her, not send her out to cut cauliflower.. CUT being the word here.... as in with a knife!!!

It's too hard for a kid to cut.. Do you want her to lose her tiny little fingers??

I'm appauled by this thought.

Don't you love your daughter enough to sacrifice a few party nights with friends for her?

Answer 28

can she walk ? ler her work now....Then you can have your social life and go dancing and drinking all night.. WOO HOO............ IDIOT............

Answer 29

In the US this is HIGHLY ILLEGAL!

Answer 30

If it were MY daughter i'd ask her if she wants to do it and keep an eye on her during.

Make sure she drinks plenty of water, always has her usual meals and routines, etc and let her stop the minute she tells you she's had enough, even if she's only done it for 5 minutes or so.

When I was little I always loved helping my dad out on the farm and he'd take me home to my mum whenever i got bored and wanted to play. (Or let me run around with my brother while he kept an eye on me)

Answer 31

14