In many families, getting a job is a rite of passage for teens. However, teens can experience both positive and negative consequences. A recent poll conducted by the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health surveyed a national sample of parents of teens aged 14-18 to gain insight into teenagers and employment.
Most parents consider factors such as hours of work, the convenience of transport, learning opportunities, pay rate, and co-workers important when deciding whether to allow their teens to work.
Over half of the parents of 18-year-olds reported their teens had a formal job, while only 8% of the parents of 14-15-year-olds reported the same. The money earned by teens is used for personal items, activities, savings, or to help with family expenses.
A positive impact
Parents believe that formal jobs have a positive impact on their teen’s money management, self-esteem, time management, and social life, but they worry that it can negatively affect their sleep, activities, social life, and grades.
Parents expect their teens to get a job, but some factors such as transportation, lack of jobs, and schoolwork may hinder their ability to do so. Suitable jobs that take into account the teen’s schedule, including schoolwork, extracurricular activities, family commitments, and planned social events, should be considered.
Parents can help teens find a suitable job by encouraging them to use multiple strategies, including online postings, asking other teens for suggestions, or going to a business and asking directly about potential positions.
When teens begin a new job, parents should watch for any signs of negative impact on their physical or mental health. Parents should be aware of state laws related to teen employment and encourage their teen to find a different job that supports their health and safety if they suspect any problems.
For younger teens, babysitting or lawn mowing can be a good option to gain experience, while parents should establish guidelines for how the teen spends their earnings.
