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Why Have Teen Summer Jobs Disappeared?
Hey there! Let’s chat about something that’s been on my mind lately—the decline of summer jobs for teens. It seems like these gigs have taken a backseat to other pursuits, and I can’t help but wonder why.
These days, it feels like parents are more focused on giving their kids enriching experiences, like volunteering or internships, rather than letting them spend a few months working at a local ice cream shop or mowing lawns. I get it; educational opportunities are great. But, as Steve Matthews points out in a recent article, teenagers are missing out on some serious life lessons by not getting their hands dirty in the workforce.
I mean, think about it. When I was a teen, summer jobs were a rite of passage. I spent my days scooping ice cream, ringing up coffee orders, and serving tables. Those jobs taught me invaluable skills—like how to handle tough customers and manage my time. But nowadays, it seems harder for teens to find these opportunities. Back in 2013, the unemployment rate for 16 to 19-year-olds was around 22.2%, compared to just 7.3% for everyone else. Ouch!
It’s no wonder some parents are steering their kids toward internships or volunteering in far-off places, like building latrines in Guatemala (seriously, what?!). But while those experiences undoubtedly have value, I can’t help but feel nostalgic for the good old days of summer jobs. Sure, your kid might not get into a top college for flipping burgers, but those first jobs can shape their work ethic and financial understanding in ways that other experiences might not.
So yeah, while it’s great that parents want to keep their kids safe and help them build a strong college application, I worry that delaying that first job until after college might just mean delaying their journey into adulthood. We all have to learn the ropes at some point, don’t we?
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In summary, as summer jobs for teens fade away, it’s essential to consider the impact this has on their growth and readiness for adulthood. While volunteering and internships are valuable, the lessons learned from a summer job can’t be underestimated.