Get a JOB

OceanLover26 · April 2012

Three letter word, starts with a J??? Have teens heard of this? I'm just curious. I remember working since my Junior year...Are teens today exempt or something?

JJsMom211 · April 2012

I started making money when I was 12 as a babysitter. But then again, I didn't have parents who just gave me whatever I wanted.

leavitt1 · April 2012

It's actually a big problem in today's economy. The jobs that traditionally would go to teens are going to those who have lost jobs and those who are coming out of college without job prospects in sight.

Shazzie116 · April 2012

I started babysitting when I was 12 or 13, and worked at my dad's store in the summer.

Unfortunately, his store couldn't stay open once I went to college (not because of me, because it was a small business that got squashed by Walmart and other superstores).

hmp1 · April 2012

I didn't work during the school year. My parents wanted me to focus on school and swimming. I had 2 a day swim practices M-F plus Saturday morning practice along with dryland training (running/weights). I don't know when I would have fit in a job.

jlh2716 · April 2012

Well, I live in a small town where jobs are scarce. Not only are there a lot of displaced older people in the workforce competing with teens for those fast food joint openings, but there's a decent sized college kid population aiming for those same positions, too. Sorry, when it comes down to an adult who just lost his/her job or a college kid trying to get through school, and some teen that is just there for play money, I think the teen should find other ways to be productive. People trying to support themselves need those job more.

MrsAB1316 · April 2012

jlh2716:
Well, I live in a small town where jobs are scarce. Not only are there a lot of displaced older people in the workforce competing with teens for those fast food joint openings, but there's a decent sized college kid population aiming for those same positions, too. Sorry, when it comes down to an adult who just lost his/her job or a college kid trying to get through school, and some teen that is just there for play money, I think the teen should find other ways to be productive. People trying to support themselves need those job more.

Not all teens work for play money. Some work to pay for their car and gas...some work to help out their families who are also struggling because of the economy. Just because a kid is in high school doesn't mean they don't have legitimate needs for money and a job.

OceanLover26 · April 2012

LoveLossHopeRepeat:
I guess my UO for next week will be that I don't foresee forcing my teenagers to hold down jobs.

Well please don't have them walking around Meijer asking women with fussing babies for handouts to pay for their basket ball uniforms.

OceanLover26 · April 2012

MrsAB1316:
jlh2716:
Well, I live in a small town where jobs are scarce. Not only are there a lot of displaced older people in the workforce competing with teens for those fast food joint openings, but there's a decent sized college kid population aiming for those same positions, too. Sorry, when it comes down to an adult who just lost his/her job or a college kid trying to get through school, and some teen that is just there for play money, I think the teen should find other ways to be productive. People trying to support themselves need those job more.
Not all teens work for play money. Some work to pay for their car and gas...some work to help out their families who are also struggling because of the economy. Just because a kid is in high school doesn't mean they don't have legitimate needs for money and a job.

I get that a lot of kids do not need it and put their focus elsewhere like studies, but I was approached by two teens today who looked GROWN and one of them was talking OVER my teething 9 month old asking for money to pay for his basket ball uniforms. I'm sorry, I just think he needs to get a job to cover his extra curricular activities. I ran track, cheered, did soccer, AND held down at LEAST 20 hours a week to cover my sport uniforms and anything else I just randomly wanted. And I still had tons of free time. I just thought it was not only inconsiderate the way the two teens did it, but kind of weird. IDK, maybe I was just more independent as a teen.

and BTW, there are TONS of signs asking for help and hiring in the fast food places and little stores around my town. No excuse for just walking around the grocery store asking IMO.

OceanLover26 · April 2012

LoveLossHopeRepeat:
OceanLover26:
LoveLossHopeRepeat:
I guess my UO for next week will be that I don't foresee forcing my teenagers to hold down jobs.
Well please don't have them walking around Meijer asking women with fussing babies for handouts to pay for their basket ball uniforms.
It sounds like the complaint is less about teenagers needing to get jobs and more about teenagers expecting others to hand things to them for free (cars/insurance/gas from parents, the boy in your grocery store, etc.). I can agree that the latter isn't acceptable. I just don't think a blanket "teenagers need jobs!" applies at all times. You're free to disagree with that, though, of course. I know plenty of people who feel strongly that teens should hold down jobs.

Oh no, I'd agree with what you said! It really doesn't apply to all teens, I just meant like, for the teens who "need" money for this or that. I was just so rushed today. And Summer (my baby girl) was angry and teething, I was trying to talk to her and these guys were talking over me soothing her cries. I WISH if they were gonna ask to be sponsored they'd take some tips about how to do it from their coaches. They caught me at a bad time, lol, and I found myself thinking, "gosh, I paid for my team uniforms.." So I was like, these guys look grown...why are they asking like this? lol, Bad moment for me I guess! I hope they get what they need, because they were not looking the part to be taken seriously by others in the store who might have had some money to sponsor their uniforms. Thanks for the response! I won't be so vague in my posts from now on. That actually will be a good UO!

teacherjess · April 2012

I teach high school and my students would sell their souls for jobs, but there are none. Unemployed adults have taken many of the menial jobs that used to be reserved for teens, and unemployed college grads have taken the rest. The majority of my students who have jobs work for family businesses or have connections. I have a few who have applied at various jobs for a couple years and never heard a thing back. I feel very sorry for them. They want to earn money to put toward college but can't even get a callback for lifeguarding or working as a cashier.

OceanLover26 · April 2012

teacherjess:
I teach high school and my students would sell their souls for jobs, but there are none. Unemployed adults have taken many of the menial jobs that used to be reserved for teens, and unemployed college grads have taken the rest. The majority of my students who have jobs work for family businesses or have connections. I have a few who have applied at various jobs for a couple years and never heard a thing back. I feel very sorry for them. They want to earn money to put toward college but can't even get a callback for lifeguarding or working as a cashier.

Wow, you guys must be in a hard hit area I cant wait till this economy picks back up for everyone's sake. Up here (in Michigan of all areas) I've noticed we still have an alright job market still yet. (lots of hiring signs in the mall and many of the food places) I hope your teens find some good ways to manage getting their college funded in your area! I went into the Army and I'm currently using my GI Bill for my degree. **sigh** cant wait to be done! This baby is due right at the beginning of a new semester and I'm so close I can see the light at the end of the tunnel so I would rather not break from school being so close.

RachelOC · April 2012

OceanLover26:
MrsAB1316:
jlh2716:
Well, I live in a small town where jobs are scarce. Not only are there a lot of displaced older people in the workforce competing with teens for those fast food joint openings, but there's a decent sized college kid population aiming for those same positions, too. Sorry, when it comes down to an adult who just lost his/her job or a college kid trying to get through school, and some teen that is just there for play money, I think the teen should find other ways to be productive. People trying to support themselves need those job more.
Not all teens work for play money. Some work to pay for their car and gas...some work to help out their families who are also struggling because of the economy. Just because a kid is in high school doesn't mean they don't have legitimate needs for money and a job.
I get that a lot of kids do not need it and put their focus elsewhere like studies, but I was approached by two teens today who looked GROWN and one of them was talking OVER my teething 9 month old asking for money to pay for his basket ball uniforms. I'm sorry, I just think he needs to get a job to cover his extra curricular activities. I ran track, cheered, did soccer, AND held down at LEAST 20 hours a week to cover my sport uniforms and anything else I just randomly wanted. And I still had tons of free time. I just thought it was not only inconsiderate the way the two teens did it, but kind of weird. IDK, maybe I was just more independent as a teen.
and BTW, there are TONS of signs asking for help and hiring in the fast food places and little stores around my town. No excuse for just walking around the grocery store asking IMO.

There was a rule recently at the high schools in my school district that parents or kids are NOT allowed to pay for sports fees and uniforms and all the money must be fundraised. I thought this was ridiculous but it is true, and I'm sure a lot of schools are doing this. The logic is that doing this discourages lower income kids from shying away from sports because they cannot afford it.

As for your example, I don't see anything wrong with teenagers fundraising for a sport, but thats me. If they cannot afford it and obviously do not have time to hold down school, a sport, and a job, I see why they would need to fundraise. Not sure if they were doing this or just plain old asking for money though.

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