History Main / ArtisticLicenseChildLaborLaws

A SubTrope of ArtisticLicenseLaw. Sometimes, you are watching a TV show, and the cast stars kids. The writers want a plot about a job, but kids are too young to work. Who cares? Let them get the job anyways! It is just fiction, after all!

* In ''Film/ACinderellaStory'' seventeen-year-old Sam (the titular 'Cinderella') is manipulated by her stepmother Fiona into working in the family diner during hours that are detrimental to her attending high school; she has to work past midnight on a school night at least once during the film. Californian child labor laws being what they are, by the end of the film [[spoiler:Fiona is in ''serious'' trouble for forcing a minor to work so many hours, along with lying about Sam's father's will and taking Sam's earnings for herself rather than putting them into a fund for Sam to go to college]].

* In ''Literature/TheNightmareRoom'' book ''Locker 13,'' the twelve-year-old protagonist's teacher mentions that she can get him a part-time job that he wants, albeit under the table, due to his age. This is somewhat {{Justified}} by a magical GoodLuckCharm giving him all sorts of implausible benefits.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball'' episode, "The Schooling", Gumball and Darwin (who are in middle school) are asked by Larry to cover several of his jobs. Considering that the series takes place in California (where the minimal age for the workforce is 14), this is technically in violation of the law. But considering it's [[WorldOfWeirdness Elmore...]]

This trope also applies to modern-day when child labor is illegal, and only in countries that it is illegal in. Or, when child labour ''is'' legal (Albeit [[https://www.oshaeducationcenter.com/articles/child-labor-laws/ with restrictions]]), a character is working a job that ''is'' illegal and/or impractical for them to work, or during hours where they can't work (such as late nights or early mornings) It is also in a messy area when it comes to agriculture - agriculture is considered an exception (To the [[https://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm#employed point]] where you are considered to be legally employed if you work on a farm more than 15 hours if you're not paid) but at the same time, most child labour these days is found in agriculture. Theatre and film is another messy area when it comes to the laws surrounding child labour laws - the results are often depicted in the FormerChildStar.

The KidDetective usually doesn't count as an example of this trope - they're often ''not'' actually employed by any formal agency.

If the child is in the army, they are a ChildSoldier. If they lead a kingdom, it is AChildShallLeadThem. Compare YoungEntrepreneur, GradeSchoolCEO, and ChildMage. See also ImprobableAge.

Keep in mind this trope doesn't apply to kids 14 or older working, as it's legal in America and many other countries. This trope also doesn't apply to kids volunteering (such as at an animal shelter), doing community service, or their own fundraiser jobs they created (such as [[LemonadeStandPlot lemonade stands]]). It also doesn't apply when the work they are doing falls under an [[https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/youthlabor/exemptionsflsa exception]], most notably (non-hazardous) work for their FamilyBusiness.

* The Belcher kids in ''WesternAnimation/BobsBurgers'' are usually helping out their parents in the titular restaurant when they're not at school. Bob did the same thing for his father, also a restauranteur. The seeming illegality of the situation is frequently lampshaded, but minors can indeed perform non-hazardous work for a family business.