Put Your Money Where Their Mouths Are

Nicholas D. Kristof address the issue of child labor in his article, Put Your Money Where Their Mouths Are. He explains that those of us from developed countries and "warm-and-fuzzy humanitarians" like to believe that setting a universal child labor law will be beneficial to third world countries and those children who are working under aged. Something we don't realize, and Kristof points out is: these third world countries need the children to work in order for the country to survive. At these young ages, children are usually in school, unlike the children in developed countries, many don't have access to a school house and if they do, the average grade taught to is fourth. In developed countries, when a child has completed school, they begin to work. The difference is children in third world countries happen upon this life event much sooner than the children in developed countries. Kristof tells of the need for child labor in these countries. Parents simply do not make enough money to support their families and so the children are forced to work or else they will die and the country we cease to exist. The working conditions these children work in may not be ideal, but they are better than the alternatives.  If children are not able to work in the more protected environments, they will be forced to find work elsewhere and many feel the need to turn to prostitution. This article makes you question which morality you feel more strongly about. 
Kristof closes his article by challenging university students to "Put your money where their mouths are." It costs a mere $0.19 to feed a child each day. He challenges them to spend their energy and efforts towards a cause that will truly make a difference. Children work because they need food, children will go to school if it means they can have a meal, so why not donate $0.19--pocket change--to not only feed a child, but also to give them an education. 
Kristoff, I feel, is quite successful in convincing the audience. It tugs a little at the heart and as college students we know how it feels to be hungry, so if you can, why not help?