Should I Let My Teen Get a Job?
10 Things Parents Should Know
As much as teens rely on mom and dad for a warm bed, free laundry, and a stocked refrigerator, they desperately want to feel like adults. Often times, this desire results in teens wanting to take on their first job. While parents want their teens to have a healthy transition into adulthood, it can be scary to let them take on the responsibility and the demands of a job while they’re still in school. Allowing your teen to get a job is a big decision, especially if they are involved in challenging classes or demanding extra-curriculars.
So how can parents know if their teen is ready to start filling out job applications? Here are 10 things to consider:
1. There are tons of benefits
We’re not talking about health insurance or retirement plans; those will come later down the line when they reach their career goals. But there are countless benefits that an entry level job can bring to a teenager’s life.
To name a few, jobs can help them:
Discover how to search and apply for jobs
Learn about money management
Gain confidence
Feel independent
Become more responsible
Develop work ethic and job skills
Stay occupied when school is out
Network and make friends
Develop time management
Pay for their own stuff (can I get a YASSSS!)
2. It doesn't have to kill your grades
“My son?! A job?! How will he pass AP bio?!” Despite many parents’ concern that by earning an income, kids will lose all motivation to make good grades, research has indicated that teens working 10-13 hours per week tend to have higher grades than their unemployed counterparts. It should be noted however, that working more than 13 hours per week can make it difficult to manage the high school work-load
3. It gives a "feel for the field"
Sadly, many students spend years pursuing high level degrees only to find themselves unsatisfied with their field after they graduate. An entry level job related to a field they are interested in can give them a sense of the pros and cons and help them determine if it’s really what they want to pursue long-term. For this reason, it’s good to encourage them to look for jobs that develop skills related to their interests. For example, if your daughter wants to be a doctor, becoming a lifeguard would teach her CPR and other lifesaving techniques.
4. Jobs help careers
While college degrees are important, let’s face it, employers want work experience. Whether or not your teen’s job has anything to do with their long-term pursuits, the skills and work ethic instilled by minimum wage employment can definitely make them stand out above candidates who only have academic track records. Plus, working as a teen demonstrates that they are successfully able to balance work and education, a trait that shows they are both persistent and adaptable.
5. Baby steps are the way to go
…just don’t call them that – your teen wants to be treated like an adult, remember?! They don’t have to go straight from total dependence on you to working 30 hours a week and moving out. Make a deal with your teen that they can only work as long as nothing else suffers – that means school, social relationships, extracurriculars, and family time. Start out with allowing them to only work weekends or seasonally. As they prove themselves capable and responsible, consider allowing more hours after school.
6. Motives matter
Taking on a job is a great way to teach goal-setting, persistence, and financial education to your child. If they express interest in getting a job, ask them why they want one. To buy a car? To prepare for a career? To gain responsibility? Have them set goals and hold them accountable as they work. This is also a great time to teach them how to budget and create a savings plan to earn things they want to work for.
7. Volunteering isn't the same thing
Don’t get us wrong, volunteering is a wonderful thing for your teen to take part in. It builds character, encourages compassion, and fosters gratitude. But there are certain takeaways from paid employment that volunteerism just can’t provide – jobs will teach your teen a heightened level of accountability and will help them understand the relationship between time, effort, and compensation – all important concepts as they enter adulthood.
8. There are cons to consider
While there are many benefits in allowing teens to work, it’s important to understand potential setbacks. First, teens are still developing, and their lack of real world experience can make them vulnerable for being exploited by employers. Working excessive hours can also harm their social life, extracurricular activities, and school attendance. Employment also exposes teens to older adults, potentially increasing the risk of them being exposed to drugs or alcohol. These reasons are why it’s critical for parents to stay involved, making sure their child’s working hours are moderate and that employment is not impacting other areas of their life.
9. Personal factors play a role
At the end of the day, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to whether teens should get a job. Parents have to base the decision on their child’s mental health, emotional maturity, and current demands. If your teen is taking a ton of high level classes and really stressing out about them, this year might not be the right time to add a job to their plate. If they struggle with time management or showing up to school on time, have them work on improving those areas before you consider letting them work.
10. Variations can help you decide
Every parent’s goal is to help their teens transition from carefree children to productive, responsible adults - but knowing how to do that can be tricky. The decision to let your teen work can be difficult, but our specialists at Variations Psychology can help.
*Please note: since the publishing of this blog, Variations Psychology has narrowed its focus to diagnostic testing and psychological evaluations. Our Doctors can evaluate whether you or your loved one have a diagnosis and guide you through the next steps in achieving your mental health or academic goals. While Variations does not offer counseling, our diagnostic evaluations allow us to refer patients to specialists who are best equipped to meet their needs. In addition, this link can guide you through a directory of therapists, psychiatrists, treatment centers, and support groups in your area.
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References:
Bachelorsdegreeonline.com (2018) 12 Compelling Reasons Your Teen Should Work. Retrieved from https://www.bachelorsdegreeonline.com/blog/2012/12-compelling-reasons-your-teen-should-work/
Blake, C. (2015) Professional Students: Benefits and Risks of Working While In School. Retrieved from https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/high-school-student-jobs/
Bureau of labor statistics (2018). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/mobile/youth.htm
Carpenter, S. (2001). Sleep Deprivation May be Undermining Teen Health. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct01/sleepteen.
Familyeducation.com (2018) Is Your Teen Ready for a Job? Retrieved from https://www.familyeducation.com/life/jobs-chores/your-teen-ready-job
Morgan, T. (2015) The Pros & Cons of Teens Getting a Job. Retrieved from https://www.teenlife.com/blogs/pros-cons-teens-getting-jobs
How to Cite This Blog Article:
Shinn, M.M. (2018). Should I Let My Teen Get a Job? 10 Things Parents Should Know.
Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/should-i-let-my-teen-get-a-job-10-things-parents-should-know