A movement to weaken American child labor protections at the state level began in 2022. By June 2023, Arkansas, Iowa, New Jersey and New Hampshire had enacted this kind of legislation, and lawmakers in at least another eight states had introduced similar measures.
The laws generally make it easier for kids from 14 to 17 years old to work longer and later—and in occupations that were previously off-limits for minors.
“[This] allow(s) young adults to develop their skills in the workforce” - Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on signing Iowa’s more permissive child labor law.
The goal is to underpay everyone for the most part, and you’re right this is one way to further that goal.
I’ll grant that some wanting to expand who can be employed might actually think they are helping make the world a better place, but mostly because they are being stupid.
This exactly. Employers will put pressure on all wages with the simple “I can pay a 16 year old $8 an hour to do the same thing. So I CAN’T give you more.”