Just because the economy is still struggling, it doesn’t mean every teen is trying to get out and help their parents by paying for their own expenses.
In fact, the annual average employment rate for teens has hit its lowest mark in 56 years, according to the National Youth Employment Coalition.
Between extracurricular activities and their family commitments, students at Penn Manor have different takes on whether they should be employed.
“During the summer, my parents want me to have a job to help save up for college and for me to pay for my insurance, but during the school year, they don’t want me having to deal with school, cheerleading and a job,” explained senior Samantha McCrery.
Some teens’ parents are very lenient when it comes to having their children unemployed. By paying for all of their kids expenses such as car payments, insurance, gas and spending money, the children do not have to worry about being employed.
“My parents pay for all my expenses: gas, insurance, clothes, food, everything. They want me to be unemployed,” Stef Friedman said.
Other parents want their kids to have a job and make their own money.
Only 33 percent of teenagers, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics, ages 16 to 19 were employed in 2008.
“My parents prefer me to be employed during high school,” junior Taylor Goldberg states, “they have me paying for gas and I paid for my car, but they pay for everything else.”
There are other reasons students are unemployed, which include the economy. Many employers look to hire people over the age of 18. This age restriction causes problems for teens who are trying to locate a job. Restaurants that serve alcohol and some retail stores have that age limit restriction for hiring.
That’s what happened to a Penn Manor teen who applied for just such a job.
“It was bogus because it was a janitor job that I applied for, anyone can clean. It shouldn’t take an 18 year old or older to clean,” said senior Zach Miller, who applied for a job, but didn’t get it.
By Jordann Stekervetz
This is in reponse to Zach Miller’s statement. It’s a law that you have to be over 18 to operate cleaning equipment. That’s probably why you did’nt get the job.
if u dont have a job u r lazy
One time I went in for an interview and the lady just told me to get out. Applying to the Symposium soon, wish me luck.
Treatin’ you right since ’84.