Should teens have jobs?

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  Posted by Elissa Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:20pm PDT

  I never had a job as a kid and I got my first job, a great high paying job as a programmer, right out of college. Straight As will get at least just as far. Though I guess it depends on what you want to do and the kind of person you are. I was freakishly responsible as a kid and didn't take anything for granted. I was also in girl scouts and did community service and stuff.

  So should teens have jobs? Depends on the teen.

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  Posted by Rosie Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:36pm PDT

  Uh, yeah, teens should work. I think it's ridiculous when parents don't make their kids work. I know sometimes it is hard to find work for teenagers, but have them do the jobs that others won't. Most kids today that I know have little work ethic and I promise you that when those kids who don't work get into the real world, they won't know how to play nice with others because everything has been handed to them their whole lives. Working keeps them out of trouble, makes them responsible for themselves and their money, and gives them future references when they apply to college or after college a real job. Not to mention they learn about saving and spending money wisely (and parents, get involved in money budgeting with your teenager. I wish my parents had).

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  Posted by abbilicious202 Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:21pm PDT

  of course they should they have needs also you don't want them to be doing freaky things inorder to get money or other necessities

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  Posted by abbilicious202 Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:21pm PDT

  of course they should they have needs also you don't want them to be doing freaky things inorder to get money or other necessities

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  Posted by CoryV Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:39pm PDT

  I think teens should work. It is not the parents responsibility to give them everything they want until they move out. They need to learn how to manage their money. They should pay their own cell phone bill, buy their own concert tickets, and pay for their visits to the mall with their friends. Last time I checked parents are supposed to prepare their children for the real world, well what better way then to have them pay for their own entertainment. In other countries

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  Posted by CoryV Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:39pm PDT

  I think teens should work. It is not the parents responsibility to give them everything they want until they move out. They need to learn how to manage their money. They should pay their own cell phone bill, buy their own concert tickets, and pay for their visits to the mall with their friends. Last time I checked parents are supposed to prepare their children for the real world, well what better way then to have them pay for their own entertainment.

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  Posted by Carina Tue Jul 1, 2008 2:53am PDT

  I think that teens should start consider getting real work experience at age 16, like working part-time (no more than 20 hours a week). The experience opens up the opportunity to obtain not only technical (enhance communication/learning solid hands-on skills) and more importantly social skills (dealing with people at different levels). These experiences help to strengthen a person's self-esteem and simultaneously raise confidence level which help to provide leverage later in competing for jobs (after graduation), not to mention earning a little money to spend on a few favorite things instead of relying on parent's allowance....they have to work too!

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  Posted by Romona Tue Jul 1, 2008 3:23am PDT

  At seventeen years old, this article is something that pertains to my age group as a high school student. Personally I have many strong opinions over teenagers getting a job to fill their time. I have not particurarly struggled to complete my assignments and turn them in on time with a job but I also understand that other students have had jobs where they go from school to work. It is unfair to ask someone who basically completes an eight hour day at school to work too much after it. Along with assignments and such, I have seen my fellow students struggle and fall, and some just plain flat out sleep in classes because they had a big project. Mc. Donalds is one of the businesses I wish did not employ high schoolers due to the fact they as for them to work until close and with today's economy, that close, is pretty late. Not to mention they must stay an hour later after the doors are locked to clean up equipment and such.

  Students deserve a fair chance to be able to have some free time also. A job does teach a child good morales, and how harsh the real world can actually get, but they are also still kids.

  I think in moderation a job that only ask for a few nights a week during school is a wonderful idea for those who are sixteen and have a license. With todays gas prices parents cannot afford to drive their kids everywhere so it's vital that a student can drive themselves. During the summer it's a great time to get a summer job, It's possible for students to work long hours and with minimum wage a little higher now, make a little cash. They can support themselves when they want to go out with friends and also learn to manage money.

  I myself worked two jobs before when I was sixteen to help pay my own car insurance. I learned the value of money in that time and I believe it has helped me grow in the way that I won't waste what I earn when I get older. Everything I learned there is helping me deal with life everyday. I know when I graduate I'll be faced with a world that I might not be able to handle and deal with sometimes. I'll be working, attending college and trying to get by. The experience I earn now will help out when the time comes to support myself. I'll be able to budget properly, stand long hours, and appreciate the fact that my previous experience might have helped me to get a better job.

  I only hope I'm prepared for the world, but in working, I think it taught me something that parents tell their children all the time, life is tough. Teenagers need to accept it, and when it comes from their parents, somehow, it's not beleiveable. But when you're working six hour shifts on a school night, you realize how the real world is, and it makes you want to make your part of it, that much better. It pushes you, makes you strive for more, and makes you one tough cookie.

  -Brittany

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  Posted by SavvyChick80 Tue Jul 1, 2008 5:09am PDT

  I think teenagers should work. I had my first job @ Dairy Queen when i was 13yrs. old . It taught me excellent customer service skills as well as money management and dealing with a boss lol; and I tell ya she was a B_#$%& . But now 15years later i can look back on it and say I learned alot during that summer.

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  Posted by Stephanie Tue Jul 1, 2008 6:43am PDT

  When I was in high school I wasn't allowed to get a job because it might interfere with my school work. But now that I'm in college, something about, oh I don't know, thirty times more challenging than a single high school class, I have to have a job. I think students getting a job in high school will prepare them for working in the real world.

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