Physical and Financial Implications of Child Labour: A Socio-Economic Study in Jaipur

Abstract

The present research paper titled “Physical and Financial Implications of Child Labour: A Socio-Economic Study in Jaipur” examines the dual impact of child labour on the physical well-being and financial circumstances of working children and their families. Anchored in a sociological framework, the study analyses child labour not only as an economic necessity but also as a reflection of deep-rooted social inequalities, poverty, and systemic neglect. It investigates how socio-economic factors, such as household income, family size, education, and employment patterns, shape the prevalence and conditions of child labour in Jaipur. The study situates the issue within the broader discourse of human rights and social justice, emphasizing that child labour undermines both individual development and societal progress.

Based on a field study conducted on a sample of 447 child labourers from diverse occupations across Jaipur district, the research employed structured interviews, questionnaires, and observation methods to collect primary data. The objectives of the study, as elaborated in the preceding chapters, focused on assessing the physical health effects, working conditions, and financial contributions of child labourers to their families. Statistical analyses and qualitative insights were integrated to reveal that child labourers often suffer from fatigue, malnutrition, and health problems arising from long working hours, hazardous environments, and inadequate nutrition. Financially, while their income provides short-term relief to family poverty, it simultaneously perpetuates long-term dependency and prevents investment in education, thereby continuing the cycle of poverty. The study interprets these findings through sociological theories such as Karl Marx’s theory of exploitation, Durkheim’s concept of social disorganization, and Bourdieu’s notion of habitus and social capital, which collectively explain how structural inequalities normalize and sustain child labour.