CHARACTERIZATION OF CHILD LABOR AT A DIVINÓPOLIS-MG STATE SCHOOL

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the work performed by children and adolescents of a state school of Divinópolis,
MG, and the possible school dropout. Material and Method: Quantitative, non-experimental, correlational,
and cross-sectional study approved by Research ethics committee under No. 0010/2011. The data collected were
coded and analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. Results: Of a total of 53 workers, 58.9% were girls from
10 to 17 years of age; 45.2% were mixed race; 32% were children that worked outside the home from 4 to 6 h
per day being paid and they also helped at home performing domestic chores (from 0.5 to 2 h without pay);
9.4% worked outside the home exclusively (4 to 6 h per day); 58.4% worked at home exclusively (0.5 to 3 h
without pay); and 3 children only studied. Those whose fathers were unemployed were 16.8 times more likely to
have to work and those who worked were six times more likely to repeat the academic year. Conclusion: Nurses should promote actions to promote health in schools guidelines and combat some forms of violence to children
and adolescents that is child labor. It is expected that government authorities, teachers and nurses have a more
critical and reflective position regarding child labor because of its seriousness.