Like Kate, I was exploited as an adolescent as I was forced into hard labor. You know, working the assembly line in a metal sheets factory, in a candy factory (where the sweet stench of flavouring materials would almost make you puke) and of course, the good old newspaper run. My parents were adamant that I get exploited, for if there's one important lesson to learn is that if you want something badly, you work for it. That's how I earned my numerous rail trips through Europe and many other things on my wish list.

But it in addition to cash and a lesson in life it had one other material benefit. Long after the rigors of hard underage factorywork were behind me and, instead of stinking clothes, I was wearing a nice suit and fashionable tie it became evident why. Grilled by some executives of the company I wanted to work for in the City of London I related the work experiences of my teenage years. It impressed them visibly for it said something about character, responsiblity and the ability to understand the value of money, the latter being a somewhat vital asset for a career in finance. It helped turn the interview and it probably contributed to securing my first real job. But some disagree and think otherwise:

Critics are warning that the new regulation will make it easier to exploit adolescents, who are already considered more vulnerable than older workers.

Labour groups have condemned the change, saying it strips away another level of protection for adolescent workers. "They're children, they don't know their rights in the workplace," Gil McGowan, a spokesman for the Alberta Federation of Labour, said. "They are much less likely to stand up for themselves against a bullying employer."

There's little doubt some of our rights were violated, I clearly remember being booted out of the manager's office at the candy factory when we asked for the vacation pay that we were legally entitled to. We never got it and went dutifully back to work. But, we learned from it. As I've mentioned before, the destruction of our society will not come from the outside. If we continue to unlearn vital skills and if we take away responsibilities from our children we are raising a generation destined for disaster. But there's hope:

Kim Alessio, 14, welcomed the change, which led to her landing a job on Thursday at Earls, an upscale chain restaurant in Edmonton.

"I don't think it matters about your age," Alessio said. "I think maturity is the biggest point and that's what they are looking for when they hire you."

I am sure there are more kids like Kim. Get out there and work. The experience will go a long way.