Should teenagers have jobs?
By dsstepp
@dsstepp (28)
United States
April 2, 2007 10:53pm CST
This is a tough one for me. My son will be 16 in 3 years and he can't wait to get a job. The problem is, I am not sure if I want him to have one. Sure, it will teach him responsibility which he needs. But my problem is that school does not come easy to him. He really has to work at it. When I was younger, school came easy to me but because I worked, I didn't take school as seriously as I should have and my grades suffered. The way I feel is that kids grow up so fast that why would they want to work before they have to? In the end, I think I will break down and let him work as long as he passes his classes. I just wish I could get him to slow down and enjoy being a kid. Before long, he will have to work to support himself. I just don't want to see him stress before he has to. What is your opinion?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@houdini16409 (192)
• United States
3 Apr 07
I would suggest that you let him get a job if he can keep his grades up. I truly believe that is does give them huge responsibilty and a job teaches them more real life experience which they need. I am not saying the school is important, which it is, but kids now a days need to learn real life experiences, like working and earning an income. Maybe you could limit the amount of hours he works in a week, or maybe only certain days of the week. Most retail places are pretty flexible with kid's school schedules. Hope this helped.
@dsstepp (28)
• United States
3 Apr 07
I really appreciate your comment. I really do want him to learn about real life experiences. I think that is hugely important. In the end, I will let him get a job as long as he continues to pass his classes and be responsible (at least for the most part). Thanks for giving me your perspective.
@thefrmgrl (25)
• United States
3 Apr 07
As a post script. Just you wait when he starts to drive. That will be the tuff one for you. At least it was for me.
@SilentRose19 (1733)
• United States
3 Apr 07
I am a teenager, I never had a job while I was in school. Not because I didn't want to, but because of lack of transportation. I learned alot of things at jobs after graduating, it taught me to do my job and take care of myself and my family. Its a good thing to have a job as a teen, you make friends and learn to be tolerant of those who aren't you friends. It teaches you that sometimes you have to be nice to people even if you don't agree with or like them. Its a good thing, but I do agree school work should come first. Let him try it out and if his school work slackens then tell him to let the job go.
@thefrmgrl (25)
• United States
3 Apr 07
A job would be very good for him. Figure it another part of that well rounded education you are providing for him before he moves out on his own. Learning how to work, to have a good work ethic is something that is lacking in a lot of kids these days. At least in comparison to when I was in school(over 20 years ago). I have two teen age boys. They are farm boys that have had to work around the farm growing up. As soon as they were old enough they also worked in the community. I think it was real positive for thier social development and self esteem. Good luck to you.
@dsstepp (28)
• United States
3 Apr 07
You know, the more I think about it, you are right. It will be good for him. I guess I just get stressed out myself with the day to day grind and just wanted to let him not worry about that yet. But like you said, it will help him be more well rounded and give him some responsibility. I am a high school teacher and I do understand that our kids need that now days. Thanks!
