Child Labor and Basic Education Provision in China

This paper argues that child labor abuse, along with inconsistent commitments to enforce compulsory schooling mandates at the primary level in China, can be traced to those changing economic priorities that have both welcomed foreign investment and have increased social inequality within the country. The exploitation of child labor is one of the dehumanizing trends that define 'commodity socialism' in stark terms. Western attitudes and practices have not only encouraged such practices but have legitimized them as well.