Do we consider them as one of our own? Checkout today's HeadLine news on CNN about Nepali

There is a problem, and it is reality. The use of child labor is a simple example of supply and demand principle. If there is a demand for something (in this case, a cheap labor), someone will suplly it (parents, middlemen). And it is equally strong relationship vice versa. If there was no supply, or scarce supply...people wouldnt be using underage kids to do their dirty work. You raise a point that Nepal doesnt have that many adult 'helpers' and give a good reasoning that it is because of the high cost of employing them and fear of rebellion. Guess what??? These adult helpers are plentyful in India. east asia, and middle east. Nepali urban-ites might be able to afford them, but someone else is able to...and they are exploited there too. These workers are forced to work under bad circumstances and even face abuse because they had no other alternative. If they did, would anyone choose a life of hardship? The only difference is that the decision is made for these children by their parents/guardians. They don't know how their future is going to look like.
I cant solve the problem alone, and I am not the lawmaker of Nepal...but if there is a guideline for all those who employ domestic help by setting up age restriction, proper compensation, treatment, education, and freedom to come and go, no one has to debate about if its slavery or not. But the first thing we have to do stop this is stop creating a demand for it....just stop using domestic help. Humans are well equipped to take care of themselves...no need to get a child to wash your dirty laundry and cook. If there is no demand, the supply will automatically go down.

Stop seeing this as black or white issue. There are so many gray areas and although we feel sorry for these kids for missing out on their childhood..at least they are alive! I cannot denounce the use of child labor...or any kind of labor because if someone is willing to work, they should be paid for it. And all the educated folks here who harp 'stop this, it is slavery, nepal is going downhill'....take a minute and think why their parents chose to send the kids away. I am very sure that they care for their children more than you do and their decision is for the best of the children. For the lack of a better alternative, all we can hope is that these kids are not mistreated and abused, and they get some form of education.

But the problem is, not all people pay the labourers enough. Not all people let them have their dignity and that's when the word "slavery" arises. And it is wrong, no matter how hard you try to justify it. And it is in your benefit to accpect the bad culture in our society and try to improve on it, rather than justifying them. Because, it is in your hand pay them more(which you can afford) and give them the respect they deserve!

BostonGirl/PowerGal,

Thought I'd give your yappin' a chance and read what you had to say. Geezles, I was better off reading just the last liners. I came to a conclusion that you not only yaap your yappin' but you do NOT listen.

FYI, I'm not here to post alternatives. What I hear is that YOUR alternative is to help those kids by continuing to SLAVE them? And although you think it is illegal, it is okay because the economist side of you says the kids are better off "that way" (being slaved if you ask me and the world including CNN) coz they are being fed???? In your own words, you're supporting slavery! TSK!!

What will I do about it? NOT slave them or make fancy excuses, simple as that.

You said you read the only the last liners, and I am glad you got my message. I asked for people to stop creating the demand by not using child labor..and thats exactly what you said. At least you are listening.
And stop calling me Powergal...whoever that is. I dont have multiple identity crisis. Call me by the name you see, or just dont call me..period!

Okay, I want put forth a psychological issue here. People who have been enslaved by others usually think that it's 'okay' to enslave. Their ego don't allow them to think that they have been enslaved, but rather, they think it is the way of life. So they find it 'normal' to have slaves around. Also the people who are too weak to block off the negative side of the society and accept the negatives as 'normal', think that the wrongs are rights.

Boston Chatterbox (thats the name I see, I swear)- Thankfully, what you just said has changed from yesterday. Here's a taste of your own words:

"So its a gain-gain situation for them. It sounds almost humanitarian! And they are getting someone to do their dirty work. Unfortunately, its the reality, we do get children and minority to do the work even if it is illegal. Just stop calling them slaves for god sake! " - BostonGirl Posted on 09-25-06 2:46 PM (note: "it" as in slavery)

But its okay for ppl to realize and change their opinion. I am glad to be an enlightenment in your almost corrupted thoughts, at least now you're agreeing to discourage SLAVERY (child labor as you call it which is just as bad) and not thinking its "ALMOST HUMANITARIAN". I feel better already, PHEW!

Dyam- DAMN, what was that gibberish? Were you trying to write some lyrics for your first rap song? BostonGirl may be able to help you with her broken record tune. Oh boy!

Bug, why do you pick and read only the lines that favor your own rant?? It is so easy for you to pick one line out of my whole comment and completely misquote me. I have said and still saying that there is no black and white in this issue. I am still saying there are two sides of the story and just giving you both the sides to read. Unfortunately, you do not have the wits or patience to read through things and be willing listen to the both sides. If your way of feeling good is by badmouthing others, then its pretty pathetic.

I dont need to point this out as everyone else who is reading your comment is already aware, you are here to attack and distort the opinion of other posters without contributing anything to the issue. Yeah, I can see you are pretty good at putting others down, but do you have any substance???

we all know the problem, but what is the solution?

The solution is to change ourselves and our society, which is not easy.

Change is what everyone is scared of. Its not going to happen overnight. It takes times maybe few years, a decade or more. If we all understand the issue here, we can bring about the changes. Maybe our generation can make a difference by not practicing child labor and incline towards "adult domestic helpers". Single person's opinion can influence many people's perspective.

Boston Chatterbox,

Again, not here to provide alternatives or contribute substances. Why don't you LISTEN?

Question-Why do I pick and read only the lines that favor my own rant??
Answer- Because I simply can. It doesn't matter which ones I pick. As long as they are stand alone sentences within the same context and you wrote it. So, next time be careful what you write in a public forum, they are subject to be criticized. Everyone can express their opinions based on facts, duh!

One thing I agree, yes I do NOT have patience to read through the long boring fancy excuses. Another one we may have come to an agreement is that SLAVERY is unacceptable right? Thank-you for YOUR patience.

Mansion..I have been telling these people here give me practical solution in the present economic context. But these people who just like to talk ...mind u just talk big are giving lot of bull $hit crap.. we all know it exists it is not good but the facts are ignored.

They want Nepal to be US in split seconds..some here even want nepal to be mao state.

There are some points i liked about boston girl about the solution of this issues.Exploitation is every where anywhere ..how do we reduce it is the question..

To bring the change, people should think that it's already late...which it is. If everybody keeps on saying that it will change in time, and not actually apply the change by themselves, then, the change will never happen or it will be very very slow.

Guys, I have a solution for this, you all go back to Nepal and do something to eradicate this inhumane practice.

solution: spread the words!!! convince people who listen to you. Really are there people who listen to you??? hehehee...to make them listen first make yourself worthy of being listened to...to do that you have to change your attitute towards life...change yourself first. :D

hahaha...SAJAH user ko bala buddhi aye jasto cha ..sadhai maoist lai change leucha bhanthiyo aba baala maile bhaneko buje jasto cha...i have been saying ever since i have started posting threads.." change yourself first " "The change you want to see is U" remember!!!!
but sajahuser your maoist can't change themself either same old tactics..expolitation of children in thier maoist cause..you see ur support for idiots are not going to bring any change in Nepal.You will be very sad ...This i gurantee you(hehe i see the future)

There is a saying "lat ko bhoot bat le mandaina"...which apparently seems to be true in the context of nepal. what to do.. some people's heads needs to be chopped off...so sad...sob sob..

there is nothing much to debate in this issue. parents normally don't resort to sending their kids to work for others. it's a compulsion brought about by their weak financial status.

1) personally, i don't see anything wrong with it, as long as the work that these kids are engaged into is not very hard/toilsome for their physicality and if their basic needs: shelter, food and most importantly education are met. of course, one cannot force these kids to work if they are incapable, mentally and physically.

2) often times, the work that these kids have to do at their villages is harder and toilsome than those they need to do at cities. household chores are relatively easier than ploughing field or going to jungle to get woods.

it's not really a slavery, is it? even if media say so, who cares? the only concern is the underage thing, which is illegal in most countries, whereas in nepal anyone above 14 is not a kid in legal terms.

the problem arises if the kids are forcefully sold or employed against their wills, or if they are continuously torchered by their masters.

what's the solution?

just like maiti nepal, which is working to rescue sexually/physically abused women, governmental/non-governmental organizations can come up for the rescue of abused children. promotion of such institutions is of utmost importance, especially in a country like ours. if CNN is concerned, so will be BBC, FOX or other news channels for that matter. hence organizations like WHO or UNICEF can be called upon to peek into these issues. if they can fund, numbers of rescue organizations can be established. who is going taking the initiative? that's the question for the time being.

LooTe

Balaa loote lai sahi bhow bhow garyo ..hehehe..good doggy.:P