I landed my first fast food job at 15, an experience that was both eye-opening and challenging. Limited by child labor laws, my stint was short-lived as my family moved shortly after I began. Nonetheless, I learned quickly about the demands of the food industry. Although my employer provided the uniform, I had to buy non-slip shoes, which my family could hardly afford. After each shift, I returned home with sore feet, greasy clothes, and bruises from slipping on the floor.
After moving, I rejoined the fast food workforce, ready to face similar challenges for another three years.
I’m not complaining—working in the food industry during my high school and college years taught me valuable life skills. I learned to manage difficult coworkers and customers, developed patience, and appreciated the flexibility my employers offered to accommodate my school commitments. My colleagues and I often supported one another by covering shifts and picking up extra hours when needed.
For me, working in high school was a necessity, not a luxury. My parents couldn’t provide me with spending money, and if I wanted anything—like a new stereo or CDs—I had to save for them myself. Even with a job, I struggled to afford outings or even basic needs, earning less than $6.00 an hour as a minimum wage employee in the ‘90s.
A common argument against raising the federal minimum wage is that teenagers don’t need to earn $15 an hour. Critics often question why teens should receive such pay, implying they shouldn’t be rewarded for work without a high school diploma. However, as a teacher with nearly two decades of experience and as a parent of soon-to-be teen workers, I find it increasingly difficult to accept that teenagers don’t deserve a higher minimum wage.
My upbringing taught me that if I wanted anything, I had to earn it. As my sisters followed me into the same fast-food restaurant, we all understood that our parents couldn’t just hand us money. We worked hard to save for college expenses, knowing that minimum wage jobs could only cover so much.
While my husband and I are in a better financial position than my parents were, we still want our kids to work to learn financial responsibility. However, the current minimum wage is not sufficient for teenagers to achieve their goals.
Many adolescents today are not as fortunate as my kids. Approximately 41% of American teens live in low-income households, with nearly 19% living in poverty. For these young people, earning a living wage is crucial for their survival and the support of their families.
When teens have more financial power, they will utilize it wisely. At the federal minimum wage, a teenager must work two hours just to afford a movie ticket, an entire day for a decent pair of shoes, and around 70 hours just to buy a semester’s worth of college textbooks. The number of hours needed to afford a car, insurance, and gas is staggering.
Most teens don’t work for luxuries; they seek to meet basic needs or pursue their dreams. They take minimum wage jobs out of necessity, often facing physical and emotional exhaustion from demanding work conditions. As a long-time educator, I know that showing young people respect and valuing their contributions can lead to remarkable results. A living wage affirms their worth and importance in the workforce, demonstrating that they have a vital role in society.
I am open to discussing a graduated minimum wage based on regional costs and education levels, but age should not factor into this equation. Every American deserves a living wage, including our youngest and least experienced workers. Recognizing their value will encourage them to rise to the occasion.
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Summary:
The argument against raising the minimum wage for teenagers often overlooks the realities faced by many young workers. Many teens work not for luxuries but to support their basic needs and future aspirations. A higher minimum wage would acknowledge their contributions and help them become financially independent. Discussions about wage structures should focus on the value of work rather than the age of the worker.