Why Teenagers Should Have Jobs

Teens who work can benefit both themselves and their families. Their parents can keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets, and teens learn more about personal and financial responsibility than they would if they did not work. Teens with jobs are also equipped with the necessary employment skills, once they're out of college, that other recent graduates may not have.

  1. Expenses

    • Teenagers are expensive. They are usually determined to get a car once they've gotten a license, which requires gas and insurance. New clothes and school trips, not to mention all of the food they eat, definitely add up. When a teen has a job, she can help contribute to some of the costs she incurs. She can pay her own car insurance each month, her part of the family cell phone bill and other expenses.

    Money Management

    • Teens will see the value of their hard work when money is not just handed to them whenever they ask. They might start a savings account for college, adding a little of their pay checks each week to it. They can give some of their money away to a charity or nonprofit that needs it. Your teen can better appreciate the work it takes to earn a dollar when the extra money he spends comes from his own pocket. A teenager should have defined goals of what to do with his earnings. If not, he will be more likely to develop expensive spending habits.

    Job Skills

    • Teens with jobs learn first-hand valuable employment skills, such as showing up to work on time, prioritizing tasks and going the extra mile. When it is time to get a more professional job after graduation, teens with work experience may find that they earn a higher salary and have an easier time finding a job than those who have not worked. Teens who work will also likely develop a sense of maturity and self-confidence not seen in teens that do not have a job, which translates to other areas of their lives as well.

    Out of Trouble

    • Idle hands may be the devil's handiwork, but teens that have jobs have less down time and thus less time to get in trouble. This can reduce the amount of tempting situations they find themselves in. Teens will still have plenty of time for socializing with a part-time job as well as time for school work if they work no more than 15 hours a week.

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