Labour With a Difference

Just as we are all shouting with so much conviction to condemn child labour, many 'elite' parents fully approve of one special catagory of child labour - underage models. You may have heard that girls as young as 16 model around the global catwalks, now the 12-year-olds join the team. That became the talk of town in Oz as a 12-year old has joined the modelling force. The Australian public opinion shows huge support for that...Now, what do you reckon?

Modelling is such a glamorous 'career' and you work with world-renowned fashion designers, lead a jet-set life, socialise with rich middle-aged businessmen who could be their prospective lovers both short-term or long-term, mix with celebraties, and Hollywood stars, and afford most luxuries. Parents can quit their odd jobs to work as their 12-year-old's agent and manager to negotiate work contracts with big companies. The money keeps rolling in non-stop! It's a win-win situation for both parents and child. The bright future is set for the family and the child. What's more? That will bring the child's nation glory and national pride! She would become every girl's heroin and role model. Bugger schooling, normal growing up and that sort of crap! Only people who don't have a child with world fashion model quality will pour scorn on this splendid opportunity. Of course, private tutors will be hired to teach the young child important social etiquettes, read, write, doing simple sums and probably one or two foreign languages to expand her international clientent!

That's the menatality of the nation and thus reflects the fundamental quality of the people and society.

My conscience and common sense tells me that it is the same whether you make a child work in a factory or in the catwalk business covering her with beautiful make-up and expensive clothes. It's called exploitation. It's called child labour. It is not right! It is shame!

The only difference is parents of the child labour in poor countries do feel ashamed not being able to support their family, provide their children with a normal life and an education, and have deprived them of a normal childhood. However, parents of child models glorify their shameful antics and justify the exploitation - all because of the 'big dollar' sign. Their logic is - if it is about big dollar, do whatever and it's going to be good regardless.

Don't worry about the critics! When money comes, you can hire the best and top public relations officers and help you fight back and shut up all criticism left, right and centre. No matter how many people support child models and their parents' decisions or whatever, I don't buy their 'excuses'. I despise them. Period!

But because money talks and talks loud, I believe, it will not take too long for us to see 10-year-olds modelling close-t0-nothing bikinis and lingerie.