Name: Linae Hendricks

Grade: 12
Teacher: Mrs. E King

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School: St. Mary High School

Title Page
Name: Linae Hendricks
School: St. Mary High School
Territory: Jamaica
Centre Number:
Candidate Number:
Subject: Communication Studies
Teacher: Mrs Elaine King
Unit: 1
Year of Submission: 2015

Table of Contents
General Introduction.. 4
Preface..
5
Theme
6
Topic...
7
Thesis.
.8
Rationale..
9
Discussion...
10
Limitations..
13
Evaluation of Source # 1
14

Evaluation of medium. 15
Evaluation of context.. 16
Evaluation of content.. 17
Evaluation of Source # 2
18
Evaluation of medium. 19
Evaluation of context.. 20
Evaluation of content.. 21
Conclusion..
22
Appendix..
.23

General Introduction
This portfolio seeks to highlight the major concerns that
surrounds the developing issue of child labour in modern day
societies and to make persons aware of the effects and named
solutions to the issue. There is a main focus on the adverse effects
that this issue has on the life of the child. The resolution is

possible with the collaborative effort of citizens, those who have

fallen prey to this issue and the Government.
In gathering all the relevant information for the expository
piece, one primary and secondary source was used. The
information gathered from these two sources were combined to
form a discussion on the causes, effects and solutions for child
labour.
The reflective piece entitled Stolen Childhood was written
in first person narrative point of view as it expresses not only the
concerns of the persona herself but also the victims who are
involved in cases of child labour. Also the fact that these children
who are involved may be permanently scarred as they have to
engage in such labour at a tender age. The reflective piece
implores citizens to not ignore the issue and play their part in
alleviating the issue.
The poem highlighted a mood of disappointment as the
persona expresses her thoughts on the issue at hand. On the other
hand the tone of disgust is used to illustrate her emotional status.
I chose to do my reflective piece in the form of a poem due
to my knowledge base in Literature in English enables me to
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effectively compose the piece surrounding the theme of Child

Labour in the Caribbean.
As a student studying Advanced Sociology, I am exposed to
modern day issues that impact my country. This better enables me
to pursue this theme and topic as I am aware of current affairs in
Jamaica. Along with my aspiration to be a Child Care Officer, I am
interested in defending the rights of these child labourers. This
portfolio will better equip me to server in the field as I now have
knowledge as it pertains to Child Labour in the Caribbean.

Preface
The poem written around the theme of child labour is a
dramatic monologue in which the persona tries to bring across the
idea that child labour is an issue that is not being noticed and
addressed by the Government as children are suffering without the
recognition of the authorities.
The poem illustrates the struggles the children have to go
through on a daily basis just to provide not only for themselves but
also for their families. And due to the fear they feel, the children
are afraid to report these cases to the relevant authorities.
Therefore, the purpose of this poem is to make people more
aware of the trending issue and how it affects the livelihood of the
child, not only short term effects but also long term effects.
The researchers information could be presented at a child
development seminar since this agency fosters solutions to
problems that surround the child labour issue. It could be

presented when other Government agencies are present such as

the Child Labour Unit where the presentation could be aired via
the radio or television to highlight the issue and take the
necessary preventative measures.

Theme

Child Labour in the Caribbean

Topic
In what ways are children in Jamaica who are involved in
child labour affected by their involvement and what measures are
being taken to solve it.

Thesis

Child Labour has become a dominant societal issue in

Jamaica which has adversely affected childrens lives, especially
academically. Through the installation of programmes and given
recommendations, the Government attempts to ensure that the
issue becomes less prevalent.
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Rationale

Child Labour is becoming an increasingly popular issue in

Jamaica and countries across the world. I chose this particular
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topic and theme because I have noticed the number of children

that are selling on the streets under severe conditions in order to
provide for their families. I am particularly concerned as to
whether or not they are able to excel academically as they do not
attend school regularly. These children should be going to school
to get an education but instead they have to be on the streets
selling, washing windows or just plain begging just to make a
dollar.
I chose the theme of child labour because I am a child
myself and I sympathize for each child as I am able to get an
education and they are not because they struggle financially.
As a student currently studying Advanced Sociology, I have a
heightened interest in the societal issues and current affairs that
impact my country.
With my particular interest in child care and adolescent
development I aspire to become a child care officer as I wish to
defend the rights of those who are less fortunate than myself.

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Discussion
Child Labour, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary
is defined as the employment of a child in a business, especially in
violation of federal statutes prohibiting the employment of children
under a specified age. In a Jamaica Observer article entitled Child
Labour Horror- 16,000 being forced to work in JA written by
Donna- Hussey Whyte published on Monday, June 27, 2011
declared that there has been an increase in child labourers who
have to provide for their families economically instead of
attending school. Whyte quoted Mrs Marva Ximminies, Director of
the Child Labour Unit (CLU) who declared that we still have at
least 215 million children remaining worldwide who are engaging
in some form of economic activity. She also declared that Child
Labour is a major issue in Jamaica but it is not widely recognized
as persons desist from reporting such cases of child labour.
Children are becoming more and more involved in child
labour, especially the young males. According to the US
Department of Labour, 2009 findings, approximately 1.2% of child
labourers in Jamaica were males, compared to 0.6% females. The

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statement is deemed valid as observed in previous research

conducted via questionnaires where 60% of the respondents were
males and the remaining 40% females. According to a case study
conducted by the Child Labour Unit, it was revealed that over 60%
of working children infiltrated the agricultural, fisheries,
manufacturing and prostitution sectors.
In a June 28, 2014 Gleaner article, the Minister of Labour,
Derrick Kellier stated that The Government recognizes that
poverty is the root cause of child labour. In comparison to
Minister Kelliers statement, 50% of the children involved in the
research, answered in the questionnaire that they were from poor
families. That is, they cannot afford to provide as much. Poverty
works hand in hand with overpopulation in families as poor
families tend to have more children. JIS Public Relations Officer,
Jeneva Gordon stated that: in Jamaica, it is customary for
children to be taken out of school to help generate income which
often times occurs in single parent families. Having too many
members puts a financial strain on these single parent families.
Other factors such as lack of knowledge contributes to children
becoming involved in child labour. A survey conducted by the
Statistical Institute of Jamaica concluded that 23.4% of persons
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residing in rural and poorer areas are unaware of the effects that
child labour can have on the child.
Child Labour being a widespread problem poses a threat to
the children involved. With the interruption of their academic lives
being the number one effect. An article published in the Sunday
Gleaner, March 21, 2010 written by Phillip Hamilton, speaks to low
grades and the high chances of illiteracy in child labourers. It is
necessary also to think about the long term effects that the issue
will have. According to Allison Gamble, labour rights blogger
These young children who work, rather than learn, will continue
working through the rest of their lives without an opportunity to
increase their social standing in life.
According to Marva Ximminies, the practice of child labour,
limits their chances of them reaching their fullest potential and
Vision 2030s goal of skilled workers in occupational groups would
not have been met.
There is a need however, to reduce the occurrences of child
labour cases. Solutions are being found and recommendations are
being made Government based agencies in order to stop child
labour. Through the implementation of programmes such as the

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Programme of Advancement through Health it has increased

attendance in schools as stated by the Minister of Labour, Mr
Derrick Kellier. Also, Zellyne Jennings- Craig, the director of the
School of Education at the University of the West Indies has
established training programmes and workshops in schools to
tackle this issue. In relation to Jennings- Craigs hypothesis,
Donna- Hussey Whyte lists prosecution and implementing
programmes to combat the issue as quoted from a 2011 Gleaner
article.
From the questionnaires distributed, the respondents were
asked if they had the choice to change their lives, what they would
do. Five respondents answered that they would go back to school
to further their education while 2 respondents answered that they
would continue working to provide for their family.
From the research it can be concluded that due to the
childrens involvement in child labour, they get grades below
average due to lack of time and poor attendance in schools. As
such they are under- educated as they are not exposed to the
opportunities as other children. The solution recommended by the
Government are the implementation of PATH in schools, training
workshops and prosecution for parents of these children.
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The researcher agrees with these measures being

implemented so as to stop this issue of child labour which will in
the future better Jamaicas society.

Limitations
In conducting the research, the researcher encountered
difficulty in gathering the credentials for the writer. However, this
was alleviated and the researcher was able to complete the
research successfully.

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Evaluation of Source # 1
The Observer article entitled Child Labour Horror- 16,000
being forced to work in JA was written by Donna Hussey- Whyte,
published, Monday, June 27, 2011. Donna Hussey- Whyte is an allwoman, reliable writer employed to the Jamaica Observer as a
staff reporter. She is very reliable seeing that she has had over 20
publications in the Observer including: Illegal Tours, Domestic
Workers and Children and Violence.

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Evaluation of Medium
The Jamaica Observer is a newspaper owned by Butch
Stewart which prints publications in Kingston. It was established in
the year 1993 and is now seen as the fourth national newspaper in
Jamaica. The information from the medium is certified reliable and
factual as well as it offer opinionated statements for which the
company holds no responsibility.

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Evaluation of Context
The researcher was absent at the time of publication thus
the researcher is unable to comment on the physical environment
and the time the article was written. However, the researcher
believes that at the time of publication there was a high rise in the
cases of child labour thus influencing the writers decision to
pursue the issue.

20

Evaluation of Content
The article entitled Child Labour Horror- 16,000 forced to
work in JA contained information that pertained to child labour
being an illegal issue. The article declared that the issue has been

21

severely affecting the country. This has been supported by factual

information and statistics which deems the article accurate and
reliable.

Evaluation of Source #2
22

Structured questionnaires governing the topic relating to

child labour were constructed which were distributed in the town
of Port Maria. The method allowed the researcher to obtain valid
information and due to the randomness of the sample, a variety of
responses were given from the children involved in the research.
With seven of the respondents being from single parent families,
one from the nuclear family, one from the extended family and
one from the sibling family, the source proved to be reliable as it
was from their point of view.

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Evaluation of Medium
Questionnaires were used as the medium to collect
information. Ten questionnaires were distributed amongst the
targeted population through the use of close ended questions as
the data is easier to quantify. Also, seeing that the respondents
identities are kept hidden and their information kept confidential,
there will be more truthful answers making the medium valid.

24

Evaluation of context
A maximum of ten questionnaires were issued to ten
children on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at approximately 3:50 pm
in the town of Port Maria. The environment was filled with noisy
school children, motor vehicles and town shoppers. The chosen
persons were given five to ten minutes to complete the
questionnaires and were then handed back to the researcher. It
was a reliable medium as the researcher was able to observe and
also consult with the persons on how to answer the questions that
enhanced the credibility of the information received.

25

Evaluation of content
The questionnaire consisted of thirteen close ended
questions. These questions were targeted at highlighting the
cause, effects and possible recommendations that pertain to the
child labour issue. All questions on each questionnaire were
completed and were returned to the researcher.

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Conclusion
The project was conducted to explore the effects child labour
has on the child and recommendations to solve it. In collecting
information for research, one primary source and secondary
source was used to gather the relevant information. A poem was
used as the reflective piece and was analysed to show how
language indicators are effectively used. The child labour issue
can be resolved by the collaborative effort of the citizens and the
Government. Serious actions need to take place so as to alleviate

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the issue so that children can feel a sense of security and a level
of support.

Appendix
1. Gender
Male
Female
2. Age
12-13
14-15
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3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

16-17
To what family type do you belong?
Single Parent
Nuclear
Extended
Sibling
What level of education are you currently at?
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
None
What reason do you have for engaging in child labour?
My family is poor and cannot afford much
I have no other choice because I was abandoned
It was my choice
I am being forced by my parents
What position are you in the family?
Eldest
Middle
Youngest
Which one best describes your situation?
I live and work on the streets
I work on the streets but go back home at the end of

the day
8. Where does the money go after a days work?
Buying groceries
School supplies
Savings
Gambling
9. Do you attend school?
Yes
No
10.
About how many times are you absent from school?
I dont attend school
1 day per week
2-3 days per week
4 days per week
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11.

12.

When do you do your hustling?

Weekends
Everyday
Holidays
Only when in need
Which of the following activities do you think are more

effective in stopping child labour?

Educational workshops
Grants from the Government
Lesser tuition fees
13.
If you had the choice to change your life, what would
you do?
Continue working to provide for my family
Go back to school to get an education
Have fun because I dont want to feel burdened
Other ___________________________

30