Young people should begin working a part-time job

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Young people should begin working at a part-time job as early as possible in life

Research shows that it is mostly positive outcomes for teenagers who have an after-school part-time job. Some teenagers see a decrease in their grades, and even get involved with alcohol and drugs as a result, however the majority thrive with added responsibility along with independence.

Here are a few positives reasons for teenagers to secure a part-time job

• Having a part-time job make adolescent life more affordable
• Teenagers will build valuable work experience
• They can contribute or start saving for further education
• Constructive use for free time
• Employment encourages and healthy transition into adulthood
• Working during school years teaches balance
• Searching for part-time work and attending interviews is good practice
• Part-time jobs may spark life-long careers
• Helps teenagers build confidence

What are your thoughts on this?
Do you think teenagers should be required to get a part-time job when possible, or are you against this?

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THIS DEBATE ENDS ON THE 23RD MARCH

For more information on the debate guidelines and how to win prizes see the guideline thread here.

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This official debate is now open! ~~~

When i was younger I got a part time job because there were things that I wanted to get that I knew my parents weren't going to put on the top of their lists to get me, so what happened is my mom used her credit to buy me the TV and the Xbox 360 that I wanted and gave me the bill for it and I was allowed to pretty much make payments on it up until 6 months (I paid both of them off in 3 months). I think having a part time job was a benefit to me as I typically got all of my homework finished during school so after school I never had anything to do but play games so having a part time job gave me a little more to do after school. With that being said, I really do believe that it is beneficial for teens to get part-time jobs while in school, it creates a job history, teaches them a little bit of responsibility and respect for others.

I never got a job until later on because I had savings from all my birthdays. But I really wish I had gone and got a job because it improves your confidence, you meet new people and it gives you a reason to get up. Plus I paid for a few cool holidays with my first little job that was part-time (I left last year) so it was well worth the experience. I wouldn't change it really.

Personally I hated school with a passion. I couldn't stand further education either. I learn by doing, not sitting in a classroom. You show me how to do something, I'll do it, you tell me, I'll struggle... For this reason I would much rather be learning to do a job by actually doing it and getting paid to do so. For example if a job requires a certain level of maths ability that I currently don't have, then I'd be more wiling to learn knowing it'll actually help me do my job easier/faster, and it'll be something that I actually want to do, rather than being forced to in an environment where I never excelled in anyway.

The idea that young people should waste their youth getting early experience for something they're probably going to spend 50+ years doing anyway is folly. I don't think a part-time job is anymore 'constructive use of free time' than playing with friends and having fun.

Required? No.
Encouraged? Yes.

I've been in employment since I was 13 and imo it did me nothing but good. I was employed throughout College and University. Life is hard and the quicker everyone gets used to working the better.

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Originally Posted by Neversoft

The idea that young people should waste their youth getting early experience for something they're probably going to spend 50+ years doing anyway is folly. I don't think a part-time job is anymore 'constructive use of free time' than playing with friends and having fun.

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Waste? - If I had a part-time job when I was at school, I'd have had more options to do better things, thus enriching my childhood as opposed to sitting at home playing Playstation because I had no money to go out and do anything lol. Part-time job is defined as under 16 hours I believe, but doesn't mean you have to max those hours... A mere 6 hours a week would suffice, it'll give young people a taste on what the working world is like and the experience and benefit of a steady pay which they can choose to spend on whatever they like, and if they're smart, they can get a head start on saving for things such as a car or even a mortgage, so then budgeting and managing money becomes something which they've learned from a young age.

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Originally Posted by Sectional

Waste? - If I had a part-time job when I was at school, I'd have had more options to do better things, thus enriching my childhood as opposed to sitting at home playing Playstation because I had no money to go out and do anything lol. Part-time job is defined as under 16 hours I believe, but doesn't mean you have to max those hours... A mere 6 hours a week would suffice, it'll give young people a taste on what the working world is like and the experience and benefit of a steady pay which they can choose to spend on whatever they like, and if they're smart, they can get a head start on saving for things such as a car or even a mortgage, so then budgeting and managing money becomes something which they've learned from a young age.

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Yes, waste. You don't have to sit inside and play video games. There are plenty of things you could do to enrich your life besides work. There are absolutely benefits to having money, but I'd much rather value time, especially time in my youth, which I am free to spend on hobbies, with friends, and such, before work inevitably gets in the way. There are positives and negatives for both sides, but people spend practically their whole lives working, some even work up until their demise. I have absolutely no interest in rushing in to that. I also think finding a job to get 'a taste of what the working world is like' is the wrong attitude. Is there anyone who willingly wants to be part of the ordinary 'working world' as it is? Young people should be encouraged to follow their interests and enjoy their youth, not to slot into positions of routine labour. I know many wouldn't mind, but personally I am glad I spent my early years doing other things.

Potentially controversial opinion: ABSOLUTELY not.

Yes, it's good experience for future careers BUT kids these days are getting pressured with more and more homework, at-home independent study, having to take up extracurriculars to look "good" on university applications, trying to maintain a social balance (friends are important for kids!!), so to expect them to do a job on TOP of that is outrageous.

Ban/reduce homework and add a set amount of hours of community service/job type things fine.

it's also a problem that entry-level/intern jobs expect experience of a fresh-out-of-school or university young adult.

Far too much pressure. Let kids fucking be kids.

I suppose in hindsight I have 2 opposing opinions on this. I think I'd loved to have had a job at a youngish age so I could have got a head start in saving money etc, but perhaps I feel that way because I actually had a childhood and did stupid things with friends etc.. whereas I bet if I didn't and i had a job from a youngish age then I'd wish the opposite.

I do strongly agree with what Laura said as well. I think basically I want the benefit of having my own money so I can have more options, combined with the freedom, innocence and lack of worry that childhood has.

I agree with laura having a part time job is not for everyone at that age, if i look back to when i younger i was struggling just to stay in a mainstream school so being required to go do a part time job would of just added far too much anxiety that i wouldn't of been able to cope with.

These lots of other stuff kids can do to developed their skills other than working not all kids are sat at home all day on playing games, i spent my evenings swimming and i was never in our top squad we only trained 4 days week. Our top squad are training more than 6 times a week, if they were required to get a part time job we wouldn't anyone to become successful at sports because they wouldn't have any time to train. Plus the can benefit a lot from being part of a sports team, they learn how to bond as a team and dedication, they can learn to be able to deal with set backs.

Another thing how are we going to supply all the jobs? if everyone young person had to get a job would there be enough jobs out there for everyone?

Anyway we all have YEARS of being in work once we become adults why can't we just spend our youth just enjoying life before we have to enter the real world? Let the kids do what they want they already have alot of pressure on doing well at school and everyone is different just because one can cope with a part job time doesn't mean everyone can.