Topic: Case study
7. Once Ravi goes to market with his mother for celebratory shopping. There he finds that most of the shopkeepers have employed children as attendants and are being treated harshly. Ravi gets very touched by seeing all this and argues with one of the shopkeepers on this issue. His mother tells him to stop and explains that the shopkeeper will remove the child and child may have no earning source for family. (250 words)
(a) What should Ravi do in consonance with moral quality in this situation?
(b) Discuss limitations of various possible actions that Ravi is supposed to take.
Why the question:
The question is a case study based on ethical dilemma involving the factor of child labour.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the issue of child labour in general, discuss the grave concerns associated with it and suggest what needs to be done to overcome it.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining and identifying the key stakeholders in the case study.
Body:
Child labour has become a common problem in society. Many children are forced to work because of poverty. Especially where adult unemployment is very high and there is no social security, families are forced to push their children to work in order to survive.
Explain the available options; pros and cons – By seeing the pathetic condition of the child naturally one will take firm action against the employee as per the Child Labour Prevention Act but this action has many limitations.
Due to applicability of laws the employee will remove the child from job and he will end up in vicious cycle of poverty again. The parents may force him to work in more hazardous place for earning which may not be as visible as the shop.
Secondly, if he takes legal action then police may take action against his parents, which may deteriorate the situation further. Thirdly providing better employment to parents and schooling to child may not be feasible for the individual.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions that may range from special govt. programs to schemes that focus on doing away with child labour and help ensure betterment of such poor children.
