I got in an argument with a family member and they don’t think I’m serious about this point, so I’m putting this out there for all to see:
It doesn’t matter if your 16, 26, or 96: exploitation is wrong.
So what if the teenager doesn’t need that much money to live? So what if they blow their wages meant to support a family on fancy cars and TVs? It used to be a high school graduate could pay their way through college. I hear lots of old folks brag about this fact. But it doesn't happen anymore. Setting aside the many factors that have contributed to the inflated costs of college, even if we took those all away, a young adult today could not afford to pay for college on minimum wage. Living costs alone eat up the money they earn.
Exploitation pits different levels of labor against each other to profit the corporations. Why should I hire the 26 year old with a wife and two kids, when I can hire the 16 year old who doesn’t know his worth and pay him pennies? Why should I hire the 46 year old with 30 years of experience when the 26 year old is chomping at the bit for a chance to prove himself at a much lower wage?
Exploitation is wrong. Why would you teach your teen that they should be expected to be exploited in this way? Why would you allow someone to shortchange their salary? Simply because they “don’t need it”? How much of a salary is acceptable for a teen? How is that decided? I have a distant family member who pays his own children $4 to do HARD labor. I’m not talking mowing lawns, I’m talking skilled trade, construction work. Why is that okay?! Because they’re learning?!
What about the teens who do need a living wage? The ones who are trying to raise their siblings because they suddenly became orphaned? The ones who are trying to escape their abusive family members, but they’re trying to do so discreetly? Or how about the ones who you claim don’t need it, but are rather responsible, upstanding citizens who just want a good start? They have already figured out budgeting, but can’t get a decent wage because they’re a teenager, and we as a society have decided they’re “not worth” a living wage? WHO DECIDED WHAT IS A GOOD WAGE FOR A TEENAGER TO BEGIN WITH?!?
EXPLOITATION. IS. WRONG. And if you think it’s okay to pay teenagers slave wages, you’re a sick bastard who needs therapy. It is possible to calculate a base wage that is needed for someone to survive, and that wage should change with the economic factors that surround an individual community. Why are we excluding teenagers from being included from this base wage?
I don’t care if this doesn’t take traction. You will never convince me that this isn’t wrong, and I will take this stance to my grave. IF YOU CANT AFFORD TO PAY ANYONE A LIVING WAGE, YOU SHOULD NOT BE IN BUSINESS. How and if they squander that wage is not your concern, and they will pay the price for it.
If there are factors making it hard for you to pay a living wage, then maybe you should narrow those down and focus your anger at the institutions keeping you down rather than the individuals trying to earn a living. Be warned though, sometimes the answer to your business fiscal woes is looking at you in the mirror.
To all the pricks that argue about “robots and computers” taking over jobs:
A) Those are hella expensive, and really risky.
B) I already make an effort to boycott any business I encounter that tries this. I don’t eat at any fast food places known for this. No, I don’t use Uber eats or use the app. I walk in and pay for my meal to make sure a living person is getting paid. And I worked call centers, I can tell when you’re not paying someone to take my call. Many a business has lost my business over this, and I do make a point to tell them.
C) I’m tired of this threat, make use of it and prove machines are superior already. It’s not like I can stop you, and you’ve proven you’re going to do it anyway.
I also realize this is a first world picture of a much bigger problem. I'm willing to sit down at the global table and talk this stuff out and work out a system where everyone is paid decently. I would also gladly hand over the criminals who exploit children in other countries if I knew they would actually face justice. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of influence. As it is, I already boycott Nestle, and other companies that come to light in this matter as much as I can to do my part where I can.