CookieMomster
Cheer Parent
- Feb 19, 2014
- 1,002
- 2,554
Just thinking about this again (and killing time from a press release I should be writing) but knowing the conditions that kids were expected to perform, and the money that was being made through sales because of these kids...how is this any different than having to abide by child labour laws? Child actors have set legislation that directors and film crews need to abide by, how are the same standard not applied to minor sports and activities where kids are expected to perform and people profit from them? There's got to be a legal loophole here.
What will impact change is for the law makers to get involved, and parents to finally raise their voices.
I can't think of a single minor sport where parents aren't part of the governing body. Parents make up the boards of the sports in our area (and sports are big here, especially hockey). Parents and industry leaders make up the governing boards (for regional, provincial and national levels). What's happening here is no different than before child labour laws were implemented or prior to professional athlete's coming up with a players union. Since we're talking about minors, I guess an athlete's union of sorts would fall to the parents for their representation but how hard would it be to get consensus and demand ethical practices? I hate to use the word union but in instances where safety and ethical issues abound, that's the best place for one...to speak for the people and represent them. This is why they were formed decades ago. For the most part they're not needed now, but in cases where things need to change for the better and there's no voice...this could be one avenue to pursue.
Now watch me end up being black balled! lol Sorry, my passion is social injustice and non-profits (also happens to be the industry that I work in). Things like this get the pep in me going.
What will impact change is for the law makers to get involved, and parents to finally raise their voices.
I can't think of a single minor sport where parents aren't part of the governing body. Parents make up the boards of the sports in our area (and sports are big here, especially hockey). Parents and industry leaders make up the governing boards (for regional, provincial and national levels). What's happening here is no different than before child labour laws were implemented or prior to professional athlete's coming up with a players union. Since we're talking about minors, I guess an athlete's union of sorts would fall to the parents for their representation but how hard would it be to get consensus and demand ethical practices? I hate to use the word union but in instances where safety and ethical issues abound, that's the best place for one...to speak for the people and represent them. This is why they were formed decades ago. For the most part they're not needed now, but in cases where things need to change for the better and there's no voice...this could be one avenue to pursue.
Now watch me end up being black balled! lol Sorry, my passion is social injustice and non-profits (also happens to be the industry that I work in). Things like this get the pep in me going.