In regions where poverty is prevalent, the incidence of child labour is high and is more likely to involve children in hazardous or exploitative activities. However, farming is a way of life for many rural communities in developing countries and children are often involved in particular activities from a very young age.
Some work can help a child socialise, build self esteem and develop skills.
However, working long hours, particularly in cramped, unhealthy and even hazardous conditions, threatens children's health and intellectual development. Helping not hurting children, an alternative approach to child labour, DFID Issues Back to top Children are the most obvious victims of poorly regulated labour markets. Despite the publicity in recent years concerning child labour in export industries, such as textiles and footwear, most child labour takes place in the household or on family land. In India, estimates of the number of child labourers vary widely, depending partly on age samples and definitions. But a figure of 80 million children of school age is probably realistic.