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| |    Preteens and Teens: Jobs Outside the Home by Susan E. Davis and Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. There are many, many benefits to allowing teenagers to take on part-time jobs after school, on the weekends, or during the summer. Besides giving teens money to spend (and save), jobs teach children the value of punctuality, professionalism, managing their time, and putting forth one's best effort. They also let children learn to put together a résumé, handle an interview, and negotiate for better pay and duties. Jobs can provide experience that may help teens get into college or even plant the seeds for a future career. Most important, jobs allow adolescents to feel as if they have something valuable to contribute to society at a time when many are not sure just what their role in life really will be. The downside to working There can be a shadow side to teen employment, however. Too much work can cause fatigue, as well as cut into time for extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, and socializing with friends. It also can detract from a child's most important mission at this time in her life: doing well in school. In a policy statement on child labor, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) commented that "employed children risk not having enough time for homework and being tired on school days." The AAP also warned of other potential problems, including exposure to "undesirable role models and to adverse habits such as smoking, drinking, and drug abuse." There's also the very real possibility of injury: One study of Massachusetts emergency rooms found that 24 percent of all adolescent injuries occurred on the job, as opposed to 17 percent on the sports field. And then there are all those unscrupulous bosses and rude customers the kids might encounter. Legal restrictions Because of these hazards--not to mention the long history of exploitation of child laborers in this country and others--young workers have been protected since 1938 by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It prohibits anyone under age 18 from working in any dangerous nonagricultural industry, such as logging, mining, or construction. The act imposes additional restrictions on children under age 16, setting limits on the amount of time they're allowed to work on school days (no more than three hours a day). The FLSA also requires state and local school systems to issue work permits, which require a physician's signature in many states attesting that the child is fit to work. Striking a balance With these safeguards in place, along with a helping of common sense and a little guidance from their parents, the workplace can be a rewarding arena for young people. Appropriate jobs might include:
In an ideal world, teenagers would get jobs that keep them active, make them feel they can actually accomplish something in the "real world," and contribute to their later career. But the truth is that most teen jobs are mundane and tedious. Still, these jobs are extremely valuable because they encourage teens to develop a good work ethic, teaching them to be patient and diligent even when they're not thrilled by the task at hand. These jobs can help foster a keener social conscience as well, because they often expose children to a side of life they might not otherwise see. A parent's role Some parents feel comfortable using their connections to help their teens get a job, while others want their children to go it alone so they learn some vital real-life lessons in developing a job-hunting strategy, dealing with prospective employers, and, most likely, handling rejection. Even if your teen lands a job on her own, however, be sure to talk with her about critical issues such as pay, duties, and hours to ensure that she isn't being taken advantage of or entering an unsafe situation (you don't want your teen closing a convenience store late at night, for instance, or working until midnight on school nights). Be supportive, but also watch for signs that she may be overdoing it: a drop in grades, fatigue, irritability or withdrawal (beyond the usual teen moodiness), no time for friends or family. Your child may be fast approaching adulthood, but she still needs your guidance from time to time.
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