I’m thinking about the sorts of folks that drop out of high school. Better for them to be able to get work experience early on rather than have to leech off their parents for a few years while not being able (or willing) to give anything back.

I’m not saying the situation is ideal by any means, certainly. In an ideal world, every kid would be able to get an awesome education and become amazing contributors to society. We don’t live in that world. We live in a world where people are too poor to afford to drive their kids to school, to afford the lunches they’re being forced to pay for their kids at that school, to afford the supplies they need, etc etc.

If our lawmakers aren’t going to fix larger societal problems, at least these kids can try to make it by, rather than simply being a drain. And yes, I know this law passing is only making things harder to fix in the long run, but at least the kids are allowed to do something that might help ‘em stay off the street or off drugs. Yes, companies are going to exploit them for cheap labor… like they do adults. The issue isn’t just that kids are working, the issue is also that companies are allowed to exploit anyone, regardless of age. That’s a larger issue that will take a lot more effort to fix.

So in the meantime, let the kids at least try if their means prevent a better life otherwise.