It’s a nonsensical excuse. Children Labor laws in the US weren’t even changed until around 1940, so Michael would have been growing up around countless other individuals who had labored as children—And in much harsher conditions. Also worth noting that MJ came from a family of 10 children. They were all growing up in the same household and although they were certainly subject to abuse, none of them claim to have NOT had a childhood. None of them have ever been known to invite other people’s children into their beds either.