CLC
Letter to the The Washington Post:
Youth Peddling
December 2, 2002
Letters
to the Editor
The Washington Post
1150 15th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20071
Dear
Sir or Madam:
Michael
Amon’s article on the death of Erica Herring – the
14-year-old killed by a co-worker [“Girl Slain After Night
of Selling for Charity,” November 29, 2002] –- incorrectly
identifies the employing company as a charity.
Programs to help kids do more than send them out
unsupervised to fend for themselves on the streets and take
them on a few trips. Reputable
youth programs hire adults who are trained to work with youth.
A curriculum is used to help youth attain the
independence, self-esteem, or other goals that are advertised
in the program. There
are measurable results. These
things and more are what every youth serving program would
ensure is part of the program.
“Youth peddling” candy programs do not live up to
these standards.
Erica’s
death is not an aberration in an industry with a spotless
record. Across
the country, there are incidents in youth peddling of violence
and abuse by fellow workers; recruiters and crew leaders; and
customers and strangers.
Unsafe vehicles, crew leaders with criminal records and
suspended drivers licenses, exploitative labor practices, and
illegal youth employment are common.
Youth
peddling consistently ranks in the National Consumers
League’s Five Worst Teen Jobs as one of the most
dangerous and exploitative jobs for youth.
Our federal child labor law should be amended to make
youth peddling a prohibited job for youth under 18.
Sincerely,
Darlene
S. Adkins
Vice
President, National Consumers League
Coordinator,
Child Labor Coalition