Mohhamadali
June 16, 2026 – 5:16 PM
Children who enter the workforce at an early age are at significantly greater risk of malnutrition, growth disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, and infectious diseases.
According to the Public Relations Office of the Iranian Pediatric Association, citing Hamshahri Online, child labor remains one of the world’s most complex social challenges. It deprives children of a normal childhood, replacing opportunities for education, healthy development, and play with premature work and physical exhaustion.
When children begin working before reaching physical and psychological maturity, their developing bodies are subjected to excessive strain. They are often deprived of adequate nutrition and rest, while the normal development of their nervous system and cognitive abilities is disrupted. Many of the physical and psychological consequences—including chronic health problems, anxiety, and developmental disorders—can persist into adulthood, ultimately affecting society as a whole.
From Chronic Stress to Developmental Disorders
Referring to World Day Against Child Labour, Dr. Ali Faraji, pediatrician and member of the Board of Directors of the Iranian Pediatric Association, emphasized the importance of addressing child labor from a child health and development perspective.
“Although child labor is often discussed as an economic or cultural issue, from a medical standpoint it represents, first and foremost, a serious threat to children’s physical health, mental well-being, and neurocognitive development,” he said. “Observances such as the World Day Against Child Labour provide an opportunity to re-examine this major global public health and social challenge.”
Dr. Faraji explained that childhood is a unique and irreplaceable period for the development of the brain, emotional regulation, and behavioral patterns. Exposure to work environments—particularly those that are exploitative, unsafe, or highly stressful—can interfere with these critical developmental processes.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that children engaged in labor are significantly more likely to experience malnutrition, impaired growth, musculoskeletal injuries, and infectious diseases. These risks are even greater for children working in informal occupations or on the streets, where they are frequently deprived of healthcare services while facing violence, exploitation, and chronic stress.
The Impact of Chronic Stress on the Developing Brain
Dr. Faraji noted that, from a neurobiological perspective, chronic stress associated with early child labor can lead to persistently elevated cortisol levels, adversely affecting brain structures such as the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex—regions that play essential roles in memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
These biological changes may increase the risk of anxiety disorders, depression, attention deficits, and even high-risk behaviors later in life.
Educational Deprivation and the Cycle of Poverty
In addition to its direct health consequences, child labor is frequently associated with limited access to education.
According to Dr. Faraji, educational deprivation not only restricts cognitive development but also perpetuates the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Children who are forced to work often become adults with limited educational attainment and reduced economic and social opportunities, increasing the likelihood that poverty will continue across generations.
Child Labor Is Not Always Visible
Dr. Faraji also emphasized that child labor is not always obvious or confined to street work.
“In many settings,” he explained, “children perform demanding household duties, care for family members, or participate in hidden economic activities. Although these forms of labor receive less public attention, their harmful effects can be just as severe as those experienced by children working in the streets.”
A Multidimensional Approach Is Essential
Dr. Faraji stressed that addressing chi
ld labor requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary strategy.
Effective interventions should include sound economic policies, stronger social support for vulnerable families, equitable access to quality education, and robust child health and welfare systems. At the clinical level, healthcare professionals should remain alert to the often-hidden signs of child labor and collaborate with social and child protection services whenever appropriate.
More Than an Economic Issue
Child labor is far more than a legal or economic concern. It represents a clear violation of every child’s right to healthy growth, development, and well-being.
Investing in the elimination of child labor is an investment in the health of future generations and in the long-term stability of society. The World Day Against Child Labour serves not merely as a symbolic observance, but as a reminder of our shared responsibility. A society that allows its children to work at the expense of their childhood ultimately puts its own future at risk.
Experts emphasize that adopting a scientific and medical perspective on child labor can lead to a deeper understanding of its consequences and to more effective strategies for its prevention and elimination.
