Adolescent workers in third world export industries: Attitudes of young Brazilian shoemakers.

J. LAWRENCE FRENCH (*)

Child labor is widely condemned, but recently there have been calls to distinguish between acceptable and harmful work for adolescents. This study, based on data gathered in 1988 in Brazil's export-oriented shoe industry and in the local commercial sector, focuses on adolescents' attitudes toward work in global industries, family businesses, and self-directed jobs. Among young workers employed in firms, those in the shoe industry viewed their work less favorably than those in commerce; however, no differences were found between shoe and commercia