The topic of teenage employment has long been debated among lawyers, social policymakers, and the general public. Like many other dilemmas relevant to adolescents, a part-time job for a teenager has upsides and downsides. Ultimately it comes down to a personal decision for both teens and their families that are made on a case-by-case basis. However, this paper argues that overall the benefits of teenagers working part-time while at school outweigh the drawbacks, provided the teens receive appropriate guidance at home.
Self-reliance is a valuable life lesson. People must learn it at some point in their lives. Teenagers who work part-time while attending school learn to fend for themselves. They can use their money to pay their school fees or as spending money. They discover how tough it is to make a living, which will help teens recognize their parents’ efforts to sustain the family.
On the other hand, a personal source of income allows teenagers greater independence and confidence (Tayfur et al., 4). While only a small percentage of teenagers hand earnings to their parents, earnings from part-time employment benefit many families financially since teenagers buy items that their parents would otherwise supply. They may learn to budget and, with enough time and dedication, might save up for a big purchase that would belong only to them.
Additionally, there is scientific evidence to suggest that young adults in their 20-s earn more when they’ve had a work experience throughout their teens. Teenagers who work part-time while attending school gain meaningful work experience, which will be appreciated by their employers later in life and regardless of the field. Meanwhile, at home, the prevalence of teen employment has prompted heated discussions about whether teenagers should work, how many hours they should work, and what kind of occupations they should undertake. Most parents prefer their children to work because they believe it instills a variety of desirable characteristics in them, such as independence, responsibility, interpersonal skills, and a strong work ethic.
Other families, however, are against the involvement of teenagers in part-time jobs, regardless of the independence it provides. The potential for child exploitation and the difficulty of balancing school education with the emerging work environment are among the arguments against teenage employment. Most of these statements emphasize that employment entails a range of dangers. According to critics of adolescent labor, adolescents who work long hours are likely to have poorer grades than teens who work fewer hours (Tayfur et al., 18).
There are comparable variations in multiple academically important indicators, such as absences and dropping out. It appears, however, that these studies are primarily conducted among socially disadvantaged adolescents who have to enter employment as early as possible to support their families and themselves financially. With appropriate support and a healthy family environment, part-time jobs do not constitute a risk for teenagers’ education.
As already specified, whether a particular teenager can or should not work is for them and their family to decide. However, it is worth mentioning that a healthy family environment and a step-by-step introduction to the responsibilities of adult life could nullify or minimize most of the potential negative consequences. In adolescence, teens need to establish their separate sense of self and privacy, which is much easier achieved when a teenager has their own money. In conclusion, parents should ensure their child is not putting too much emphasis on work over other areas of life, but teenage employment in moderation provides significant advantages to the young generation.
Work Cited
Tayfur, Sümeyra N., et al. “Adolescent Psychosocial Factors and Participation in Education and Employment in Young Adulthood: A Systematic Review and Meta-analyses.” Educational Research Review, vol. 34, (2021), pp. 1-20. Web.