In which of the following places would you find the largest number of child labourers?

CGHS SSC - 2018

Sociology

Easy

Appeared in: CGHS SSC - 2018

Explanation

The agricultural sector employs the vast majority of child labourers worldwide.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), 71% of all child labour is concentrated in agriculture, which includes farming, fishing, forestry, and livestock herding.
This figure far surpasses the numbers in the services sector (17%) and the industrial sector (12%).
The prevalence is high in rural areas, often involving family-based subsistence and commercial farming, making it a widespread but often hidden issue.

Option A: Home-based units fall under the broader 'Services' sector, which accounts for only 17% of child labour. While a significant issue, it is not the largest category.
Option C: Factories are part of the 'Industrial' sector. This sector, including manufacturing and construction, accounts for 12% of child labour, which is substantially less than agriculture.
Option D: Mining is also part of the 'Industrial' sector (12%). While it is considered one of the most hazardous forms of child labour, it does not employ the largest number of children compared to agriculture.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Sectoral distribution of child labour as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Community health nurses play a vital role in identifying and protecting vulnerable children. Understanding that agriculture is the largest employer of child labour helps target screening and health education efforts in rural communities.
Nurses can assess for specific health problems related to agricultural work, such as pesticide poisoning, musculoskeletal injuries from heavy lifting, and malnutrition, and provide appropriate interventions and referrals.
What if? - If a child was found working in a mine instead of a field, the nurse's immediate priority would shift. The focus would be on assessing for acute trauma and severe respiratory conditions (like silicosis from dust inhalation), requiring urgent medical evaluation and likely intervention from child protection services due to the extreme and immediate danger.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core question: The question asks for the location with the 'largest number' of child labourers.
This is a factual recall question based on global sociological and economic data.
Recall or deduce information from major international bodies like the International Labour Organization (ILO) or UNICEF, which are primary sources for such data.
Analyze the options. Consider the scale of each industry. Agriculture is the primary occupation for a vast portion of the world's population, especially in developing countries where child labour is most prevalent.
Compare the scale: While factories and mines represent hazardous work, the sheer number of people involved in agriculture globally makes it the most likely sector to have the highest number of child workers.
Select the option that aligns with the understanding that child labour is predominantly a rural phenomenon tied to primary economic activities.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Sectoral distribution of child labour
Stem keywords: child labourers, largest number, places
Lead-in keywords: In which
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 89-91