Final answer:
Sending a 10-year-old to do manual labor has historical precedent during economic hardship but is now largely considered unethical. The case of 14-year-old Ahmed Zia illustrates the complexities of modern child labor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of sending a 10-year-old to do manual labor is complex and steeped in historical context. Historically, during times of economic hardship, families have relied on the earnings of their children. In the early 20th century, children as young as eight were working as coal workers in Pennsylvania, a harsh reality before the establishment of mandatory child education and labor laws. It was not until the 1920s that such practices were banned in the United States.
The case of Ahmed Zia, a 14-year-old boy from Pakistan, brings a modern perspective to child labor. Ahmed dropped out of school to work in a carpet factory, a decision driven by higher wages compared to alternative jobs like farm work. This raises ethical questions about child labor practices and the responsibility of countries like the United States in purchasing products made by such labor.