Stovetop
Religion has very flawed ideas regarding community, however. It always results in a hierarchical structure and works to exclude those who don’t abide by its values.
It is possible to be a good, selfless person and be religious, but I don’t think it’s possible to have religion without enabling power-grabbing, insular practices too.
My gut had me wanting to say the same thing, but looking at the age ranges, this actually seems reasonable and in line with how many other countries operate. By 6 years old, students in the US are in first grade, for example. Kindergarten a year or two prior as well, which is also compulsory in some states.
Sadly the post-civil war amendments include a provision that allows prisoners to be used for unpaid labor.
From the text of the 13th amendment:
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Only argument is if the party has been “duly” convicted, which is a recurring issue we see with the US justice system.