Rural kids, parents angry about Labor Dept. rule

Cliff · #1 04/25/12, 08:09 AM

...banning farm chores.

Child Labor Laws | Farming | Department of Labor | The Daily Caller

TxAprilMagic · #2 04/25/12, 08:48 AM

If we allow it, we deserve it;

They (gov) will show up at that one farm/home/business, whether in the country or city and "THE SHOT THAT WAS HEARD AROUND THE WORLD" will be heard again.

Cliff · #3 04/25/12, 09:32 AM

What is worrisome to me are the long term implications of things like this as far as kids growing up wanting to homestead or farm on a small scale. Seems like they want to do everything they can to push people away from this lifestyle.

sirquack · #4 04/25/12, 10:01 AM

To add to Cliff's remarks. It is definitely an assualt on the homesteading way of life. The article specifically mentions farm operations, but think about the implications if just a family homestead. You raise a few pigs, a cow and a small flock of chickens.
And then they think they can tell you they can't work around the house doing the chores the rest of us did growing up without any issues.

Forerunner · #5 04/25/12, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxAprilMagic

If we allow it, we deserve it;

They (gov) will show up at that one farm/home/business, whether in the country or city and "THE SHOT THAT WAS HEARD AROUND THE WORLD" will be heard again.

No. It won't. The media will never allow that shot to be so heard.
It will be swept under the rug and the machine will grind on.

chewie · #6 04/25/12, 10:36 AM

agree with cliff. I just can't believe things like this are even getting heard at all. what I do on my place is my own business, unless there is evidence of abuse, my kids' are my business as well. this is taking it WAY too far. our country was raised this way, why on earth are they doing this??? and how many of us earned our summer money on a farm?? geesh, I learned how to milk cows which has been a good lesson for me that I've fallen back on many times. which btw, paid taxes!! I can see putting an age limit for certain things, like how many hours, or too small of children working, but come on! now a 16yo can't bale hay all summer for dad and the neighbors?

the one thing I dont' see is if the kids is 'given' the hayground, or cattle etc. can they tend to it then?

by pushing us out of this lifestyle, we can't raise a fuss over any of their other stupid ideas, we become drones with no say. this is sad and makes me furious.

arabian knight · #7 04/25/12, 10:41 AM

I love it when these OLD reports get around and nobody searches for any updates.
Like THIS:::WHD News Release: [02/01/2012]
And the one from the older release was made on
And they were quoting form a article from:
WHD News Release: [08/31/2011]
SO it has been revised for the better. LOL

02/01/2012

Quote:

Additional review will ensure protection of both children and rural values
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division today announced that it will re-propose the portion of its regulation on child labor in agriculture interpreting the "parental exemption." The decision to re-propose is in part a response to requests from the public and members of Congress that the agency allow an opportunity for more input on this aspect of the rule. Following the president's historic executive order on regulation, issued in January 2011, this re-proposal reflects the department's careful attention to public comments and its conclusion that it is appropriate to provide the public with further opportunities to participate in the regulatory process.
The parental exemption allows children of any age who are employed by their parent, or a person standing in the place of a parent, to perform any job on a farm owned or operated by their parent or such person standing in the place of a parent. Congress created the parental exemption in 1966 when it expanded protections for children employed in agriculture and prohibited their employment in jobs the Department of Labor declared particularly hazardous for children under the age of 16 to perform.

TxAprilMagic · #8 04/25/12, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arabian knight

I love it when these OLD reports get around and nobody searches for any updates.
Like THIS:::WHD News Release: [02/01/2012]
And the one from the older release was made on
And they were quoting form a article from:
WHD News Release: [08/31/2011]
SO it has been revised for the better. LOL
02/01/2012

There has never been nor will there ever be a "revised for the better" when it comes to ANY GOVERNMENT involvement in our lives, rural or city.
All they are doing is appeasing the angry, outspoken parents for the time being. THIS IS ONLY A STEPPING STONE TO MORE CONTROL[/B].
So LOL all you want til it hits home; Then lets see how much you are laughing out loud.

Sonshine · #9 04/25/12, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliff

What is worrisome to me are the long term implications of things like this as far as kids growing up wanting to homestead or farm on a small scale. Seems like they want to do everything they can to push people away from this lifestyle.

That's because they want everyone dependent on government.

nduetime · #10 04/25/12, 11:40 AM

Next we will be told it is unfair and abusive to have children do ANY chores. On the farm, in the home, or anywhere else. With the complete entitlement attitude of young people today you would think someone would have figured out by now that the govt. does not, cannot, and if given the chance, will not, raise our children properly. It has already been shown to me by our young people what govt. interference in child raising does.

salmonslayer · #11 04/25/12, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arabian knight

I love it when these OLD reports get around and nobody searches for any updates.
Like THIS:::WHD News Release: [02/01/2012]
And the one from the older release was made on
And they were quoting form a article from:
WHD News Release: [08/31/2011]
SO it has been revised for the better. LOL

02/01/2012

I think your snark is unwarranted particularly when your wrong again. From the WHD website: "On February 1, 2012, the Department announced that it will re-propose the portion of its regulation on child labor in agriculture interpreting the "parental exemption." The parental exemption allows children of any age who are employed by their parent, or a person standing in the place of a parent, to perform any job on a farm owned or operated by their parent or such person standing in the place of a parent. The re-proposal process will seek comments and inputs as to how the department can comply with statutory requirements to protect children, while respecting rural traditions. The re-proposed portion of the rule is expected to be published for public comment by early summer. The department will continue to review the comments received regarding the remaining portions of the proposed rule for inclusion in a final rule."

They are going to be seeking public comment so it seems to me this was a timely post.

Here is a link: U.S. Department of Labor - Wage and Hour Division (WHD) - Child Labor - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Amend the Child Labor in Agriculture Regulations

MO_cows · #12 04/25/12, 01:21 PM

An exemption for parents isn't enough. Lots of rural kids work for uncles, grandparents, neighbors, etc.

Another example of the big nanny government "looking out for the children." Yes, there are tragic farm accidents involving young people every year, but this is not a major problem when you consider the total number of kids who do work on farms. It is just one of those unfortunate things that happen in life. Like when city kids get hit by cars and so on. If you really want to "protect the children" you would have to raise them in a bubble.

willow_girl · #13 04/25/12, 01:26 PM

Romney's pledge to overturn all the meddlesome regulations imposed by the Obama administration is looking better and better all the time ...

phantomriver · #14 04/25/12, 01:34 PM

The goal I think is to keep children as burdensome as possible so even farm families will quit reproducing.

grandma12703 · #15 04/25/12, 01:49 PM

Any accident involving young people is very sad, however there can be an accident anywhere at anytime. How many youngsters break an arm on a playground or get a concussion playing sports, or get burned in a science lab? OOPS maybe I shouldn't mention those things either because I am a fan of well rounded country kids that do a little of it all but my point being that things happen....like someone pointed out to keep all kids safe they would have to be raised in a bubble.

My kids were all farm kids as was I. My oldest got a concussion doing gymnastics when she hit the vault, my middle broke his arm playing football, my youngest got stitches falling off the pick up bed playing where she shouldn't have been. They all worked the farm, showed animals, were very involved with 4-H and FFA but the only injuries they sustained minus a few bumps and bruises were non-farm injuries.

Kids on a farm learn responsibility. I think they are much safer working the farm with their parents or a responsible adult than out drinking, driving, doing drugs, and/or whatever else they might be doing if they weren't.

Ed Norman · #16 04/25/12, 02:08 PM

I took my chances as a kid working for neighbors and friends. I learned to drive trucks and tractors, other equipment, learned to overhaul tractor engines, be responsible, get up early and show up on time, milk cows, and many other things.

I would rather see kids working on farms than being kids in a big city, which is much more dangerous...

Quote:

March 19, 2010 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- During a violent night in Chicago, 15 people were shot during a six hour period at different locations throughout the city. Six of the shooting victims are Chicago Public School students.

Quote:

Chicago Crime Roundup March 18 2011 Various shootings in Chicago have killed one person and left at least 9 others wounded, authorities said Thursday night.

Quote:

April 25, 2012 1 killed, 6 wounded in separate Chicago shootings

City Bound · #17 04/25/12, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willow_girl

Romney's pledge to overturn all the meddlesome regulations imposed by the Obama administration is looking better and better all the time ...

Will he do it though, or is that just bait talking to get elected?

BobbyB · #18 04/25/12, 02:13 PM

I heard this on news radio this morning and they gave the story as current. If laws like this were in effect when I was in school none of the boys woukd have had a job. The cotton gin, grain elevator, and auction barn were biggest employers of those not living on a farm.

City Bound · #19 04/25/12, 02:15 PM

This is very sad news. The gov is trying to chain us down one link in the chain at a time.

watcher · #20 04/25/12, 02:20 PM

My first thought is; People want government to protect the children from stupid parents until that protection effects them. No one had any problem with government forcing parents to make their kids wear bike helmets. After all it protects the kids. No one had any problem with the government forcing parents to put their kids in car seats. After all it protects the children. Why should these people have a problem with the government forcing parents to keep their kids from doing "dangerous" work? Add that to all the other stuff people have no problem with and this is just another thread in the rope being used to hang us.

Any more and we'll have to move to GC.