THE ROLE OF FAMILY’S INCOME IN CHILD LABOUR IN DISTRICT OKARA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Children determine the future of any nation. Education, play, security and health are the basic right of the children. However, cruel economic realities forced children in miserable life. The objective of the research was to find out role of economic conditions in the prevalence of child labour. Literature shows that poverty, illiteracy and unemployment are the main factors behind child labor. The current research analyzed child labour through rational choice theory which shows that parent decisions of sending children to work is based on the specific rational because it helps them to earn more monetary benefits. The study was conducted in district Okara located in Punjab. The information was gathered from one hundred and fifty (150) respondents, through structured questionnaires. Purposive sampling was used to collect the data. The information was investigated by using quantitative strategies. The data was analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The major finding of the study shows that low family income as the main cause of child labour. Secondly, research signifies that parental illiteracy and child illiteracy have positive relation. Children are forced for work and sexually abused and beaten at work place. The research indicates that the child labour harms children psychical and mental wellbeing. The research shows that government financial helps and provision of free education can help in eradication child labour.