Should Teens Work During the School Year?

A job is appealing to many teens as a way of earning extra money and showing independence. However, many parents are concerned that a job will affect their child's schoolwork. A job can be a great life experience for teens, but it may not be the right fit for everyone. There are factors to consider when determining whether or not a job is appropriate for a teen during the school year.

  1. Extracurricular Activities

    • A teen's high school life may already be filled with extracurricular activities outside of the normal school day. Activities such as sports, band or choir may already be very demanding on a teen's schedule, leaving a limited window of time for homework and studying. Adding a job on top of these activities may become too much of a strain, causing the teen's grades to suffer. If a busy teen still wants a job, parents can have a discussion about time commitments and talk about the possibility of dropping activities to make room for a job.

    Current Grades

    • "The Seattle Times" reports that one of the biggest drawbacks to a teen holding a job is how it impacts school. A teen's current grades can be a big determining factor in whether or not a job is appropriate. A teen who is already struggling in school may suffer further academic strain if work time takes precedence over homework and study time. For teens with poor grades who still want a job, parents may consider hiring a tutor and encouraging the teen to get a job after her grades have improved. Parents can also teach their teens about proper time management so that a job does not negatively affect schoolwork.

    Intensity of Job

    • The amount of time a job takes as well as the intensity of the work it entails can factor into whether it is an appropriate productive outlet for teens in school. A full-time job is too time-consuming for most teens and is likely to negatively affect schoolwork. A labor-intensive, part-time job may also be too difficult for a teen to maintain while in school. Even if a job allows enough leftover time for homework and studies, if the work is physically or intellectually intense or demanding, a teen may feel too tired after work to properly concentrate on schoolwork. David Wegman of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell recommends that teens work no more than 20 hours a week.

    Teen's Personality

    • Every teen is different. Some teens may excel in both work and school while others may only be able to handle one at a time. Poor job performance can affect future job prospects, and if a teen is stressed about a job situation, it could negatively impact his work at school. If a teen seems to have difficulty taking on new responsibilities, it may not be the right time to pursue a job on top of school. Parents can work on gradually increasing a teen's responsibilities until he is mature enough to enter the workplace. Parents may also consider talking to teens about what they will use the money for to determine whether or not a job is necessary.

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