Contemporary Child Labor and Declining School Attendance in the U.S. EdWorkingPaper No. 25-1302
Saved in:
| Title: | Contemporary Child Labor and Declining School Attendance in the U.S. EdWorkingPaper No. 25-1302 |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Lucy C. Sorensen, Melissa Arnold Lyon, Ji Hyun Byeon, Stephen B. Holt, Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University |
| Source: | Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. 2025. |
| Availability: | Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: annenberg@brown.edu; Web site: https://annenberg.brown.edu/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 57 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Elementary Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Child Labor, Attendance Patterns, Elementary Secondary Education, National Surveys, Youth Employment, School Business Relationship, Student Characteristics, Age, Sex, Race, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status, Immigrants, Agriculture, Geographic Regions, Federal Legislation, Labor Legislation |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: | Fair Labor Standards Act |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | American Community Survey |
| Abstract: | The United States has experienced a 400% increase in reported child labor violations over the past decade, coinciding with declines in K-12 school attendance and enrollment. We examine the causal relationships between these patterns with microdata from the American Community Survey (ACS) from 2005 to 2023. Using a shift-share instrumental variable approach, our findings show that increased local demand for illegal child labor leads to higher youth employment in high-violation industries, longer work hours, and lower school attendance, particularly among Black youth and youth living on farms. A 10-percentage-point increase in the local share of employment in high child labor violation industries leads to a 7-percentage-point decline in public school attendance for children and youth aged 6 to 17. Results underscore the need to reevaluate labor protections and strengthen enforcement to prevent economic pressures from pulling vulnerable, young students away from school. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | ED678263 |
| Database: | ERIC |
Be the first to leave a comment!
