To protect the exploitation of minors in the workforce, federal and state legislation has put in place several protective laws. The Child Labor Legislation act in Tennessee and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has comprehensively addressed the work hour restrictions and child labor rights.
The state has mandated different laws for various teenage brackets. There are more restricted and limited work hours for children aged 14 and 15. However, minors at 16 and 17 years of age are allowed to have relatively relaxed work-hour restrictions. State and federal laws pay particular attention that the work hours do not clash with the school hours of the working teenagers. In such a scenario, applying the work hours restrictions for 16 and 17-year-old workers is not the right approach.
One of the cornerstones of Former President Trump's presidential platform was the will to bring an industrial revolution to America. Therefore, putting work hour restrictions for adolescents goes against rebuilding the nation. Industries need young talent, and restricting their work hours would affect the resilience and grit of 16 and 17-year-old teenagers.
Also, restricting work hours for older teenagers creates competition in the job market. Some advocates doubt that unrestricted work hours might contribute to school dropout ratios. However, there isn't much truth to it since holding a job at a young age is attributed to self-discipline and motivation to move forward.
Having part-time jobs as early as possible gives teenagers a sense of freedom and self-sufficiency. Since there are already sufficient child labor safeguards in place according to state and federal regulations, restricting work hours for older adolescents will affect those who belong to marginalized communities and live below the poverty threshold.
Allowing teenagers from low-income households--specifically at the age of 16 and 17 years with no work hour restrictions--permits them to lend a hand and improve their quality of life. The state government's role in ensuring that child labor laws are strictly observed helps to avoid exploitation.
However, certain nighttime work hour restrictions still apply to teenagers in Tennessee. For instance, minors cannot work from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am if school is in session. However, during non-school days, the work curfew applies from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am. Additionally, for minors at 17, under parental guidance, the work hours can extend up to midnight with a cap of three nights a week.
Some stakeholders also believe that involving minors in the workforce with steady legislation allows them to be more disciplined and responsible. In pursuit of Tennessee's 2030 economic stability objective and bringing a positive change in the life of youths belonging to low-income households, stable income opportunities might help reduce adolescent-related issues in Tennessee.
With strict child labor laws in place and specific rules for the entertainment and agricultural industries, legislators believe that the laws and requirements for teenage workers are sufficient. Therefore, the restriction in work hours might impede the smooth working of child labor laws in Tennessee.
