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FrenjaminBanklin t1_j1cu8m8 wrote

Reply to comment by SeelieForest in Hallowell pub faces $17,000 fine for nearly 700 child labor law violations by DrMcMeow

The article specifies that most of the violations were for kids under 16. Are there really that many kids that age responsible for paying rent? Who would even rent to a 15 year old?

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SheSellsSeaShells967 t1_j1cy5xs wrote

I worked with kids living in poverty. They aren’t renting themselves. They are helping to pay bills along with parents/guardians. When I worked with these kids about 20 years ago, I heard some pretty rough things. I can only imagine what’s happening to kids now.

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SeelieForest t1_j1czmkb wrote

> Are there really that many kids that age responsible for paying rent?

Yea, especially kids who are trying to stay out of the foster care system or who have siblings and are trying to keep their lives together....

Here on reddit I've seen posts from kids asking for advice in similar situations.

I wish we didn't live in a "lesser evil" world and actually cared to fix any of the problems in our society. But instead we just keep voting to keep things AT BEST the same..... it's monstrous.

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HerbertHamburger t1_j1d71xr wrote

I worked at the age of 14 in this area because I wanted money to spend when I was hanging out with my friends. My parents told me I had to pay for my own gas when I turned 16. I definitely overworked, companies definitely broke the law, but the truth of the matter is some kids in central Maine NEED to work extra to pay for their lunches, gas, and the small bit of luxury they can afford. Never been fond of the owners down there, and some of this is definitely shady, but it’s hard to really blame anyone unless we’re missing something.

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FrenjaminBanklin t1_j1dokcs wrote

That may be so, but I find it unlikely that many minors need to work in excess of 40 hours a week. There are independent adults who support their entire lives on part time jobs. 40+ hours a week goes far beyond paying for gas and a teenage social life.

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HerbertHamburger t1_j1e0h4t wrote

It isn't 1990 anymore, gas + teenage social life is pretty damn expensive. 40 hours a week as a busser/dishwasher probably only pulls in $10/hr. Some of these kids probably even have to buy their own vehicles, get insurance.

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FrenjaminBanklin t1_j1ecyf9 wrote

Ok, you aren't going to hear me argue against the idea that people deserve to be paid more for their labor.

But child labor laws and the 40 hour work week weren't just arbitrarily instituted, they were brought about to protect people from being taken advantage of by their employers. If there are minors that are struggling to provide themselves with necessities, you aren't going to convince me that the answer is to have them work 40+ hours at week.

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HerbertHamburger t1_j1erzk0 wrote

All I was saying is that the kids maybe asked to work more than was allowed to help pay for some of these things. It isn’t uncommon in this area for kids to help out financially at home. It’s not fair to the kids, they shouldn’t have to sacrifice school/their childhood to keep things afloat while our miserable government (republican and democrat included) ruin everything for everyone, but that’s the reality of some central Maine families.

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