Child labor is a centuries-old practice that has been around for as long as human civilization. It involves employing children, usually younger than 15 years old, in any kind of economic activity or service not suitable for their age group. Child labor can take many forms such as bonded labor, domestic servitude, and hazardous work in mines or factories. While there have been attempts to abolish child labor throughout the world, it continues to be widely practiced due largely to socio-economic factors.

The most responsible parties for the development and continued practice of child labor are parents or guardians who make the decision to employ children for economic reasons. This often occurs when families are impoverished and cannot afford basic necessities such as food or shelter without relying on income generated by their children’s efforts. The family may be unable to find employment elsewhere due to a lack of skills or education which makes child labor an attractive option since it requires little skill but can still provide sufficient income when combined with other sources of revenue like government subsidies and agricultural production.