Temidayo James Aransiola e Marcelo Justus

Early theoretical studies pointed to the probability of child labor to perpetuate itself among generations of the same family through forgone education. Recent empirical studies do not reject this hypothesis, thus, affirming that children from parents who were child laborers are more likely to start working at an early age. Despite significantly contributing to literature, no empirical evidence was provided concerning the tipping point at which the vicious cycle of child labor may turn virtual. In this study, we test the hypothesis that such cycle may be reverted if the minimum age for work is increased. To pursue this objective, we used a pooled sample from 2004 to 2014 PNAD data to estimate probit models. Aside from reaffirming the existence of intergenerational persistence of child labor, we found that the tipping point of the child labor cycle is observed if the minimum age for work is increased.

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