I worked from a young age in my parents' various businesses, though it was mostly clerical work and nothing nearly as demanding as your CapNSam's experience. I did spend some time working in a busy boarding house and restaurant in Germany when I was sixteen, while learning German, and that was certainly hard work.

Personally, I don't think a bit of work does young people any harm. If anything, it teaches responsibility and leaves them with less of a sense of entitlement. But, as you say, health and safety regulations have put paid to child labour.