Having a part-time job during school is quite common among teenagers once they turn sixteen. It is usually motivated by their desire to earn their own money and to be more independent, but parents often worry whether having one is actually good for them.
A job can help teenagers develop work experience, become independent, learn responsibility, form good work habits, meet new people and make new friends. It can also add to school stress, cause grades to suffer and can often mean they miss out on taking part in extracurricular activities like sports or volunteering which are also important to a teenager’s development.
Part-time jobs vary in tasks and it is up to the parents to know if what is required of their child is too much. Some teenagers will work in the evenings after school while others may just work on the weekends. Parents need to be mindful that their grades aren’t suffering because working hours are taking up study time and they shouldn't be encouraged to have a job if they are in a particularly important year at school.
Before allowing them to start a job, sit down with your child and discuss their situation. Decide if they are just looking for weekend work, a summer job or something with more hours. If a work study balance is maintained having a part-time job can be of huge benefit but it is up to the parents to decide if their teenager can handle both school and a job.
