During my high school days, I held a job at a grocery store, where I was immersed in what was then dubbed the “appetizing department,” now simply known as the deli. My responsibilities included slicing meat, crafting sandwiches, and maintaining the fry machine – it was demanding work. I shared the space with a mix of middle-aged men, young women, and other teenagers. Clad in an orange polyester uniform that perpetually reeked of grease, I toiled there for two years, right up to my departure for college.
Every dollar I earned went towards a few essentials – clothes, gas, outings with friends, and, admittedly, some less-than-savory purchases. Looking back, I realize that my time there offered little of substance; I never used a meat slicer again, and aside from the free gallons of orange juice, it wasn’t a healthy environment for a teenage girl. It was also hazardous; I witnessed a coworker slice her finger and endured a nasty burn on my arm. If I had aspired to a career in the hospitality sector, perhaps that job would have been worthwhile, but my focus was elsewhere.
In those days, students could gain high school credit for part-time work, known as “work experience.” I opted for sandwich-making over afternoon classes. In the 1970s, it was possible to coast through academics and still gain college admission, which I managed to do – thankfully, such leniency is a thing of the past.
When my children entered school, I made it clear to my partner that I did not want them to hold jobs during their high school years. I recall the bewildered look on his face; he had his first job at just 12 years old, delivering newspapers in harsh Wisconsin winters.
I firmly believed that my children’s responsibilities should revolve around their studies, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and quality time with family and friends. Summer jobs were acceptable, but I preferred they focus on school during the academic year.
I understand that many families rely on their teens to contribute financially to household expenses, but that was not our situation. Conversations with other parents often led to the notion that part-time work instills responsibility and the value of money in teenagers. However, based on my own experience, I felt the contrary. Since I didn’t need to cover essential expenses with my earnings, I simply worked to buy new clothes and enjoy leisure activities.
Conversely, my children acquired commitment, discipline, respect, and time management skills by concentrating on their schoolwork and extracurricular pursuits. Their days were filled with classes, practices, and rehearsals, fostering a sense of belonging to a larger community.
When our eldest turned 16, we purchased a car, which our youngest then used when he reached the same age, allowing them both to drive independently to their activities, alleviating the need for me to serve as their chauffeur.
You might think this approach spoiled them, that they had everything handed to them. But that’s a misconception. While they had financial ease, we held them to high expectations. They were required to excel academically and participate actively in their activities. Missing rehearsals or practices was not tolerated unless there was a legitimate reason, such as illness. They were expected to join us for family dinners, and they understood the importance of being present when family and friends visited.
Once in college, both found part-time jobs to support themselves, graduating in four years and living independently with minimal financial assistance from us.
Would this strategy work for everyone? Probably not. But it suited our family perfectly, and I would choose the same path again without hesitation.
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Summary:
In this article, I reflect on my decision to not allow my children to work during high school. My own experience in a grocery store job left me feeling that it was not a beneficial use of my time, and I wanted my children to prioritize education, extracurricular activities, and family. Although some may argue that part-time work teaches responsibility, I believe my children learned valuable life skills through their dedicated focus on their studies and activities. As a result, they grew into disciplined, responsible young adults who successfully transitioned to college and independence.