Everywhere you can find articles on child labour, how horrible it is, how children should not be working. Up until this summer, I agreed. What about their education, I said, what about their rights?

But then I went to Bangladesh. Mind you, I've been there twice before, and I'd been to third world countries before...but I suppose I was truly impacted because I was older, and you just notice a lot more.

Sitting here in my rosy little home with its two stories and 3000 sq feet and nice little suburban neighbourhood..of course I'm going to think it's horrible, of course I am. I appreciate what I have, right- but it's not enough, you're looking at it from the outside.

My whole perspective on child labour has changed, from what I experienced. In Bangladesh, I met little children, from ages four and on, wandering the streets struggling to make a living. These children, yes, they are not schooled, and some of the conditons they are in are heinous- but if they do not work, they will not survive. Their parents force their children to work, and refuse to feed their children, clothe them, nurture them, if they do not work. They must earn money, even if it is very little- or they will die.

Yes, they should be treated better, and should be paid well, a lot ****ing more- but at least they're getting paid. Instead of trying to ban child labour, we should be trying to up their conditions and pay. It's one step closer to making these countries....well, better.

But these are just my thoughts. (I know, I talk a lot.) Anyone's thoughts?