Your Teen's First Job

There is an ever increasing pressure on teens to own iPods, designer jeans and the newest, coolest cars. With many parents are already living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to make ends meet, teens are entering the workforce as young as 15 in an effort to live the lifestyle they see on TV. It's tempting for a parent to allow their child to work, but is it the right option for your teen?

There is no doubt that a first job can be a positive experience for a teenager. It instills a sense of responsibility, expands the teen's social circle, provides the opportunity to learn a new skill (even if it's just how to make a really great hamburger), and gives the teen extra spending money for luxury items. It also allows teens to put money in proper perspective. Will he really want a $250 iPod if he has to work two weeks to make that much money?

With all of the benefits to having a job, there are drawbacks as well. According to the United States Department of Labor, teens between 15 and 17 work an average of 17 hours a week. That is a significant amount of time that can affect schoolwork and participation in extracurricular activities. However, studies show that working up to 20 hours a week can have a positive outlook on grades, but working more than 20 hours in a week can cause grades to decline. Teens that work close to 40 hours a week or more likely to drop out of school. Parents should keep these numbers in mind when discussing and planning a teen's first job. A good strategy is to set a low number of hours allowed for work, with an increase if grades and activities do not suffer.

Another consideration when a teen is seeking employment is safety. According to the Department of Labor, over 200,000 workers under 18 are injured on the job every year, and over 70 die from workplace accidents. When your child takes a job, make sure that they receive adequate safety training and have any safety equipment needed. Teens under 18 are prohibited by law from operating any hazardous machinery. Talk with you teen prior to his first day and make sure he understands his rights under the law. If there are any concerns, they should be reported to the teen's supervisor.