Back in my high school days, I was employed at a local grocery store in what was then called the “appetizing department,” which is now just the deli. My responsibilities included slicing meat, preparing sandwiches, restocking potato salad, and cleaning the fryer. It was tough work, and I shared the space with middle-aged men, young women, and other teens. I donned a bright orange polyester uniform that seemed to perpetually carry the scent of grease, regardless of how many times I laundered it. I kept that job for two years, right up until I headed off to college.
Every dime I earned went toward four things: clothes, gas, outings with friends, and the occasional indulgence. Looking back, I can’t say the experience taught me anything particularly valuable. I never used a meat slicer again, and apart from the copious amounts of free orange juice I consumed, the environment was less than ideal for a teenage girl. It was also somewhat hazardous; I witnessed a colleague slice off part of her finger and burned my own arm on a hot grill. If I had aspired to a career in hospitality or aimed for management, maybe it would have been worthwhile, but that wasn’t my goal.
During my high school years, students could earn class credit through “work experience” for part-time jobs, which meant I was making sandwiches instead of attending afternoon classes. In the ’70s, it was all too easy to coast through school with minimal effort and still secure a spot in college. Thankfully, such a scenario is rare today.
When my husband, Tom, and I became parents, I made it clear from the start that I did not want our children to have jobs during high school. Tom looked at me incredulously; he had his own paper route in Wisconsin at just 12 years old. My conviction was firm: their primary focus should be on academics, extracurriculars, community service, and spending time with family and friends. Summer jobs were acceptable, but not during the school year.
I understand that some families rely on their teens to contribute financially to household expenses. However, that wasn’t our situation. In discussions with other parents, I’d often hear that part-time jobs were crucial for teaching responsibility and the value of money. From my perspective, my own experience suggested the opposite. I didn’t have to budget my earnings for necessities, and saving was never a consideration; I worked 20 hours a week just to buy new outfits and enjoy some leisure time.
In contrast, my children learned commitment, discipline, respect, and time management by concentrating on their studies and activities. Their days were filled with school, practices, and rehearsals, making them feel connected to a larger community. At 16, we gifted our eldest a car, which our youngest later used, allowing both to drive themselves to their various activities, freeing me from the role of constant chauffeur.
Some may think they were spoiled, getting everything handed to them. That’s not entirely accurate. While they had financial ease, we held high expectations. They were required to work hard academically and participate in their chosen activities; missing practices or rehearsals was only acceptable for valid reasons, usually involving illness. They were expected to show up, be presentable, and actively participate when family and friends visited. Dinners were a family affair, with everyone home on weeknights. We emphasized the importance of being serious about their high school responsibilities.
Once they entered college, both found part-time employment to supplement their allowances. They graduated in four years and are now living independently with minimal financial assistance from us. Would this approach work for every family? Probably not, but it was effective for us, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
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Summary: The author reflects on her own teenage job experiences and explains why she chose not to have her children take on jobs during high school. She emphasizes the importance of academics and extracurricular activities over part-time work, arguing that her children gained valuable life skills from their focus on school and community involvement. Ultimately, her approach allowed them to graduate college successfully while living independently.
Keyphrase: Why I Chose Not to Have My Kids Work During High School
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