General Education Development (GED) Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of federal child labor laws?

1. To ensure fair wages for all workers

2. To protect minors from exploitation in the workforce

3. To limit the hours that children can work

4. To encourage high school students to gain work experience

The correct answer is: To protect minors from exploitation in the workforce

The primary purpose of federal child labor laws is to protect minors from exploitation in the workforce. These laws are designed to ensure that children are not subjected to hazardous work conditions, excessive hours, or unfair treatment that could adversely affect their health and development. They aim to create a safe and fair working environment for young individuals, acknowledging that children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable and require special protections. While other options might address related issues, they're not the main focus of child labor laws. For instance, while limiting hours worked and ensuring fair wages can certainly be important, these aspects are secondary to the overarching goal of preventing exploitation. The laws also do not primarily function to encourage work experience among high school students, even though gaining experience can be a beneficial result when minors work in appropriate conditions. Overall, the core focus remains on safeguarding the well-being and rights of children in the workforce.