Kleriston, 14 years old, works as a mechanic

Monique, 19 years old, wanted to be independent

Child was made to work or to play? In many poor countries, the children work hard, as much that they usually stops to study. Therefore, many governments in entire world are fighting to finish with the infantile work. In general, it seems to be the right thing to do.

Althought that, for some families and some youngers work early does not seem so bad. "I find that the boys of my age would have to work as me. Thus, they went to learn to have responsibility and they would not be attemped to enter in the path of the drugs ", says for instance, the small Kleriston, that is 14 years old and already is a mechanic.

Parents of some children find that work is good for their children. It is what thinks the housekeeper Maria Reis Geminiano, 47 years, Kleriston mother. "I think that law is wrong to forbid that youngers work. He works for himself and he does not have to bring food to home. But sometimes, he wants to buy a t-shirt and his father cannot give it to him. Working and studying helps him. He doesn't have any responsibility to take care of house, that I also do not accept", she says.

Davi works 6 hours per day

Davi

Money that Kleriston receives goes direct for the hands of his mother. Maria manages it for him. He admits that the is necessary that son be disciplined to be able to conciliate work and study, but that the school is always in first place. "If it had to stop to study because of work, I would not leave the work", he guarantee.

Parents also find that it must be defined a difference between the good work and bad work. " Work of those children on Brazil northeast is slave work and many times dangerous. Here it is different. It gives to study, it gives to work, it gives him a way to learn a profession. It is better to work than be on streets. If it will not have responsibility now that he is small, after great is that he does not go to have ", defends the tailor Jose Francisco Moreira, stepfather of Davi Gonçalvez Menezes, 15 years. Davi works as an exchanger in a Kombi car, since 13 years old (the kombis on Rio works as vans, contribuiting with the buses function as collective carrier).

Davi explains that he is not obliged to use his wage in the expenditures of the house. Besides studying and working, he still finds time to frequent one soccer school, two times per week. Davi mother, the dressmaker Rejane Gonçalves, does not admit that doubts hang on the nature of this work. "He always wanted to work, always wanted to gain his money. When he made 13 years, I agreed. He does not need to help with money in house and he continues taking his child life. He did not stopped to play. He works because he likes to have his money", explains.

Without obligation or necessity, some youngers also feels pleasure in giving money in house. "It is better to do this. If I used to stay with the money in the street, I would spend it all in foolish things", says Monique Menezes, 19 years, that started to work to the 15.

Adapted from www.vivafavela.com.br

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