In my post-modern upbringing, I have taken for granted the concept of “childhood.”  When I was young experiencing my naïve world view, it was a given that being a kid was a time in life where your main responsibility was to imagine, paint pictures, run around, play games, pick at scabs, and get chocolate all over your face.  I never understood that being raised this way was a privilege of the modern era.

But child labor isn’t just something hipsters make jokes about.  Not only is it happening today all over the world, but pre WW2 it was the social norm here in America as well.  The idea that your early years should be dedicated to exploring your inner creativity and absconding all accountability is a really nascent concept.  In fact it is a luxury.

Although being a kid and having to work the type of mundane soul sucking job that your little child brain is capable of must totally suck, but is living completely carefree just as detrimental to your spirit?  I mean, kids are kind of bratty these days.  The past generations have bred some pretty entitled adults, and the new models we are pumping out don’t seem to improving the consciousness.

Does the sacrifice of work teach you something about the concept of sacrifice?  Like a reminder that the world does not revolve around you, and there is a moral duty to participate in the very systems you benefit off of?

I know that kids have chores around the house, but that dynamic isn’t the same as working out in the world and being accountable.  Yes there is a vast difference between exploiting children and having them do some work that is “character building,” but I am thinking that there is something meaningful in teaching The Munch the value of contribution.

“Good effort trying to clean the floor Munch….  But why don’t we take this to the next level, apply those delicate little fingers of yours, and start manufacturing some hemp for macramé Elmo dolls?”