If Johnny can’t work, can Johnny read better?: ChildLabor Laws, Labor Supply and Schooling Outcomes

In the United States, both federal and state governments have tried to establish and enforcechild labor laws to protect youth from work that interferes with their schooling. While federalchild labor law focuses on the work experience of minors, especially those aged 15 andbelow; state child labor laws often restrict the work activities of 16- and 17-year olds. Thetwo most common state child labor restrictions are work permit requirements for teenagersand school dropout ages that are more stringent than federal requirements. If these laws areeffectively targeted and enforced, children living in states legislating more stringent childlabor laws should be less likely to work, should work fewer hours if they do work, and theyshould have better average schooling outcomes. The results show that stricter state laws donot lower significantly the likelihood that a 14-15 year old youths work or the likelihoodtheir hours exceed federal guidelines. Child labor laws do have small positive effects onacademic outcomes. State work permit requirements modestly increase the likelihood ofcollege entry while more stringent truancy laws increase marginally high school academicperformance.[...]