Safeguarding Children in Calif. Agriculture
Safeguarding Children in Calif. Agriculture
The Issue
A Child of 12 should be allowed to experience the joys of childhood without the burden of laborious field work after School. Agricultural workers are exposed to toxic herbicides, pesticides and carcinogens. They have an increased risk of respiratory problems, hormonal disruptions, hematopoietic, lip and prostate cancer, as well as melanoma and brain tumors. In most states across the U.S., children are protected by laws that prevent them from being employed in agriculture under the age of 14. However despite its reputation as a progressive state, California with a supermajority in both houses, permits minors as young as 12 to work on agricultural farms.
The agricultural industry, with its often harsh, dangerous and demanding work environment, is not a place for children who should be focusing on their education and personal development. At this tender age, children are still developing physically and emotionally, and subjecting them to such heavy work can hinder their growth and future prospects.
Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor show a concerning number of injuries occurring among young workers in agriculture, highlighting the pressing need for reform. Furthermore, child labor on farms is not merely a matter of physical strain, but it can also impact their academic performance and overall well-being.
There is a moral obligation to protect our children and ensure that their primary focus remains on their education and growth, unimpeded by the demands of laborious work. By aligning California's regulations with those of other states, we can protect the children and secure their future.
Therefore, I urge lawmakers and concerned citizens to take a stand in raising the minimum age of employment in agriculture from 12 to 14 years in California. Join me in advocating for a change that not only protects the innocent but also paves the way for a brighter future for our children.
Sign this petition to tell California lawmakers that our children deserve the right to be children.
NO OBLIGATION TO DONATE to CHANGE.ORG. Please spread the word anyway you can!
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The Issue
A Child of 12 should be allowed to experience the joys of childhood without the burden of laborious field work after School. Agricultural workers are exposed to toxic herbicides, pesticides and carcinogens. They have an increased risk of respiratory problems, hormonal disruptions, hematopoietic, lip and prostate cancer, as well as melanoma and brain tumors. In most states across the U.S., children are protected by laws that prevent them from being employed in agriculture under the age of 14. However despite its reputation as a progressive state, California with a supermajority in both houses, permits minors as young as 12 to work on agricultural farms.
The agricultural industry, with its often harsh, dangerous and demanding work environment, is not a place for children who should be focusing on their education and personal development. At this tender age, children are still developing physically and emotionally, and subjecting them to such heavy work can hinder their growth and future prospects.
Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor show a concerning number of injuries occurring among young workers in agriculture, highlighting the pressing need for reform. Furthermore, child labor on farms is not merely a matter of physical strain, but it can also impact their academic performance and overall well-being.
There is a moral obligation to protect our children and ensure that their primary focus remains on their education and growth, unimpeded by the demands of laborious work. By aligning California's regulations with those of other states, we can protect the children and secure their future.
Therefore, I urge lawmakers and concerned citizens to take a stand in raising the minimum age of employment in agriculture from 12 to 14 years in California. Join me in advocating for a change that not only protects the innocent but also paves the way for a brighter future for our children.
Sign this petition to tell California lawmakers that our children deserve the right to be children.
NO OBLIGATION TO DONATE to CHANGE.ORG. Please spread the word anyway you can!
16
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on June 18, 2025