In some families, there is not an economic choice. Many teens work after school or during the summer because they must. I am an advocate of teens working; however, you need to help your children balance work, school, and time off. Beyond that, I don’t believe it’s a good idea for a teen to have an after-school job during the school year.
A full-time summer job; however, is a good thing, as is work on weekends during the school year. A good job for teens is one where they will learn something of value. At these jobs, teens take responsibility or gain knowledge. Often, some of the best jobs are ones that pay nothing. I’m referring of course to volunteer jobs. They frequently involve a lot more responsibility and provide a chance to really make a difference. Some can even help teens deal better with problems at home. Kids who want to make this kind of positive impact on society deserve our support. Perhaps consider an allowance that’s half of what they could make at the sort of job they would get if they hadn’t made this commitment. Be involved with your teen in choosing a job but be careful not to take on responsibility that should be theirs. Discuss safety, training, location, schedules, and even the social status factor. Have your teen do research to ensure that they’ve picked the right job for themselves and the time they have available to work. But remember, school comes first.
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