Should teenagers work & school at the same time?
The age bracket of teenagers ranges between 13 and 19 years and during this period, it is expected that most who are within that age range are secondary school students or fresh undergraduates. Many parents believe that children should be focused in their education while some who hold a contrary view say that while in […]
The age bracket of teenagers ranges between 13 and 19 years and during this period, it is expected that most who are within that age range are secondary school students or fresh undergraduates. Many parents believe that children should be focused in their education while some who hold a contrary view say that while in school, they need to work because it would give them a sense of responsibility to be independent and accountable.
Sara Richmond Walls in an article titled: ‘Teens and the Part-time Job: The Pros and Cons of Letting Your High School Student Work,’ says: “It seems like a great idea: your high school student spending a few hours a night at the local grocery store making a few extra bucks. In many ways, it is a win-win situation. They can use the money to help you pay for their college, or to pay for their own gas.”
She adds that: “Still, there are pros and cons to letting your high school student spending their time in a part-time job.” On the cons, she states that: “The greatest disadvantage to letting your son or daughter out into the work force during their high school years is the overwhelming amount of stress this can cause.”
Life Xtra went to town to find out what people feel about the issue.
Mary Ani, an administrator in her early 30s, says: “When children who are in secondary school begin to earn money, they learn the real lesson begins. As they earn money and subsequently spend it, parents have the opportunity to teach their children about responsible money management.”
Okonta Mary, a student in her early 20s, states that: ‘’It depends on the work. Entrepreneurial work but sure it’s never too early.”
Anne Uwah, a secondary school teacher, has a different opinion. She thinks making children work at an early stage exposes them to dangers. ‘’Making a child work during the holidays exposes him/her to many dangers such as kidnapping, rape, ritualists; so in my own opinion, I think it’s best if parents can use that period to enroll their children in holiday lessons.”
Lola Aigoro, who is in her early 30s, notes that: “It can’t work in our society. In a country like UK, teenagers are encouraged to do minor jobs like babysitting, mowing lawns and the like, but this can’t work in our environment except it’s a family owned firm where someone can keep an eye on the child.”
An article in bachelorsdegreesonline.com titled: ‘12 compelling reasons your teen should work,’ states that: ‘’that some teens may get lower grades and even get into trouble with drugs and alcohol as a result of after-school jobs, but for many, the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Building experience, self-reliance, and important skills are among some of the best benefits many teens see from part-time work, and they’re among the best reasons for teens to get an after-school job.”
Tony Morrison in another article titled: ‘’3 Reasons Why Teens Should Get Jobs Early On,’’ notes that: ‘’Sure, teens are learning in school, but there is so much out in the world to learn that simply cannot be achieved in the classroom. At a part-time job, teens can learn how to handle cash, delegate tasks, care for customers, and work under a supervisor.”
He adds that: “Many recent college graduates run into a situation: in order to get hired, they need to have work experience. When teens start early, they dodge this issue. Additionally, work experience is yet another thing to put on a college application.”
So this brings us back to the question “Should teenagers work and school at the same time”?