As of August, 34.8% of minors in the U.S. aged 16 to 19 have jobs, despite the employment rate having decreased over 20% since the 1980s. Working teens gain key social skills and learn the importance of being reliable, flexible and calm in the face of pressure. However, some working teens have little to no free time, a sacrifice to take on more responsibility and earn money. 

Jace Atwood, an unemployed junior at Huntington Beach High School (HBHS), said, “Having a job is probably good for you because you learn skills and…have [opportunities] to do more things with a regular income versus just waiting until [your] birthday or Christmas.” 

Some teens with jobs agree. Scarlett Richards, an HBHS junior, has worked at Balboa Beach and Bicycle Boutique since May.

Richards said, “It helped me get up in the mornings on time and set a routine for myself, but at the same time, I had no time to hang out with my friends, and that really sucked, especially during the summertime.” 

Contrastingly, studies show that employment may cut short, or even deny fundamental childhood experiences. Some believe that teens should be exploring themselves and not be distracted from the factors of actually having a job. Mental health professionals believe teenagers should take advantage of their youth while they still can, before the stresses of reality set in.

Students aren’t the only ones with strong opinions on the positive aspect of the subject.

Elizabeth Rehberger, an English teacher at HBHS, said, “Having a job is good because it [sets an] example of being professional and understanding the value of a dollar if they know how to balance [it] right. Kids nowadays stress themselves out by stretching themselves too thin, [but] you don’t have to do it all…When I was a kid, you had to make a choice, and you couldn’t do it all, or it would be too much.”

Some consequences can include lower grades and absences from school, as well as stress indicators. Overall, some teachers find themselves with students who are unable to study or complete homework due to limited time available after school because of their jobs.

While having a job as a teenager has its downsides, it also provides young people with essential life skills, like responsibility and time management.

To any teen seeking employment, Richards said, “Keep at it. It may seem at times that it’s difficult, but it really has taught me valuable lessons in responsibility when it comes to money and time, and I also have a stronger work ethic than I did before.”

These different perspectives demonstrate that having a job is challenging, but it pays off because it teaches teens essential life skills. It’s not a necessity, but it is highly recommended, especially for those who don’t have too much on their plate.