The Value Of Working

http://unemploymentdata.com/tag/unemployment-rate/


Migdal Garcia

Professor Slobod

English 113 B

9 February 2012

The Value Of Working

What if everything teenagers wished for was given to them and a hard earned dollar was out of the question? What would life mean to them if they did not need to work hard for it? What would be their purpose in life? Life in general would be dreary and unfulfilling if there would not goals to be accomplished and nothing to look forward to. Generally, it is known that those who work hard earn something valuable in return. Goals are always a challenge to be met, but the outcomes are rewarding. Work is a great advantage at a young age to increase self- reliance and to be work-ethic-driven. As a teenager, there are obstacles to overcome and barriers to break, but those who accept their responsibilities with maturity will surpass their boundaries. In spite of working as a teenager, the contribution to family and finances teaches them the value of working in gratitude.

Earning money helps teenagers enable sense of responsibilities and independence. Teenagers crave the sense of freedom, and get to achieve that feeling by getting a job. It also creates the fundamentals at a young age and motivation to work for their own expenses, which can be a contribution to their family as well. Work shows teens the value of a hard earned dollar and how to appreciate the essence of it. Research shows that “…according to the U.S. Department of Labor, 50 percent of American teenagers hold informal jobs, such as babysitting or yard work, by age 12”(Teenagers and Part-Time Jobs: Benefits, Drawbacks and Tips).

For some it can be an option to work, but for others, getting a job is not an option. Teenagers that have a job and live in a middle low class family may sound demanding, but the essence of becoming independent and contributing to their family in finances is valuable. In order to attend school, money is going to be spent. Therefore, teens with a part time job are able to fulfill their needs.  Financial aid does exist, but the money collected is from taxes. The money comes from taxpayers who at some point of their lives had to sacrifice of going to school and work, in order to achieve their goals of becoming successful. It goes to show that eventually hard work pays off. For those teenagers who live in middle class, may work to put aside some of their “…money to save up for college or a major purchase-often a car” (Etzioni). No matter what class a teenager lives in, the value of a hard earned dollar helps teenagers recognize and appreciate their belongings.

Although there are some teenagers who drop out of school, some jobs give the sense of hope and later fulfillments of going back to school as they soon realize it. Those who work are able to support themselves, and eventually teens become independent from their parents. As teens gain experience, their work ethic becomes a stepping-stone to achieve higher goals that eventually leads into a career. “The right job may provide networking possibilities and set a teenager on a rewarding lifetime career path” (Ferguson).

The problem of teenagers working is that even though many believe of having a job, most of them “…are gobbled up in the world of low skill jobs”(Skwire 317). In the short run, teens believe in receiving more hours at work and giving less effort at school. Most teenagers are caught up with the money they temporarily make and eventually take their money for granted.

They spend money on things that are unwanted, instead of the things that are in need. In addition, as money becomes their main canter of attention, school starts to become a hassle. Teenagers become lazy and attending school seems to be pointless. There are deadlines to be met while in school, and most of those who work do not meet those deadlines. Their tasks in classrooms are performed poorly and their undivided attentions are given elsewhere.        

Work does provide teenagers the fundamental tools on how to be responsible because if teens were irresponsible and lazy, then they eventually would be laid off. However, one accepting excessive hours fundamentally causes the long hours at work. “Research seems to suggest that students that work 10 hours or less a week gain the benefits of employment, while students that work over 20 hours a week suffer the negative consequences of work” (Teenagers and Part-Time Jobs: Benefits, Drawbacks and Tips). Therefore, the toiling of this cause is that teens end up behaving with poor involvement; attendance becomes a problem, and they endure the lack of responsibility in school. Another study shows that over a period of twenty years, research showed how “…students who worked more than 15 hours per week had lower grades, did less homework, had higher dropout rates and were less likely to go to college than students who worked under 15 hours per week” (Ferguson). However, for those who do have a job and go to school, are aware of what their responsibilities are, therefore, should manage their time. Those teenagers who manage their time have an advantage of juggling school and work better, even though the task is not easy.

There are some laws that prevent minors from being overworked in order to focus in school. For example, “… for sixteen and seventeen year olds, some state laws say, "minors are not to work before 6 a.m. or after midnight on school days and 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays." Also, not more than eight hours per day and 28 hours per school week. (During the summer, the only restrictions on sixteen and seventeen year olds, is that they can work no more than eight hours per day or 44 hours per week)” (Ferguson). These laws are to ensure that those who are under eighteen have the chance to enhance into their education. . Some teen jobs help teenagers get their life started with rewarding benefits too. Life may only revolve around school and work; the journey may not be easy, but in the long run, it is well worth it.

Although Etzioni argues that working at fast food restaurants, as a teenager is unhelpful, my experience begs to differ otherwise.  One of the American customs is to withhold a job as a teenager. “It has been a longstanding American tradition that youngsters ought to get paying jobs” (Etzioni). Fast food restaurants provide a very large number of teen jobs, and In N Out is one of them. Once on the clock, I am always looking forward for the shift and the people who I will be working with. When I enter the stand, I walk into a work environment that is team-oriented, fast paced, friendly, and fun. Even though it is a fast food restaurant, the priorities are set out high for their associates. The shift manager always seeks supervision out.

The starting rate for a new associate at In N Out is at a minimum of $10.00 an hour. It is a way of showing how important their associates are to the company; therefore, they are committed to a higher wage. Another way of showing their appreciation are their benefits such as flexible schedules, paid vacations, free meals, comprehensive training, and vision and dental for part time associates. Full time associates receive all of the above plus medical, life and travel insurance coverage. It goes to show that even though teens start at the bottom of the chain, there are rewards and benefits to enhance their job. Therefore, work makes it an interesting place to be.

Associates must follow the safety guidelines, and there are safety goals to be met every two months. They also have a comprehensive training for its associates to acquire knowledge as one moves up levels. So there is always something new to learn. Unlike other fast food restaurants, In N Out in particular can become a successful career ladder if one chooses too.

It depends whether teenagers want to discipline themselves or not, but they can work and go to school. The objective is  “…for teens to develop into mature, productive, responsible members of the community. One method for assisting this transition is obtaining part-time employment. A job can help teenagers better develop their identities, obtain increased autonomy, achieve new accomplishments, develop work experience, and become more independent from their parents” (Teenagers and Part-Time Jobs: Benefits, Drawbacks and Tips). Teens who work are able to receive the essence of adulthood. “There is no reason that teens should not have jobs, as long as schoolwork remains their primary focus, and many parents have found that part-time jobs help their children understand the value of hard work and responsibility”(Latzko).

Working as a teenager may challenge ones assets towards school. Earning money should be a reward to not be taken for granted. In order for a teenager to succeed with their academics as well as balancing a job is to prepare them to become precariously organized. It makes life that much easier when one is organized and has their time managed. The standard roots of discipline maybe difficult but, it will in the long run pay off.  Eventually teens are approached into adulthood, which soon become into a routine. Allowing a teenager to hold a job while parents insisting on supporting their academics and teens working hard will help them learn how to hold on to the value of earning a hard dollar for the rest of their lives.

                                                Work Cited

Etzioni, Amitai. “Working at McDonald’s”. Writing With a Thesis. Sarah E. and David Skwire.    Wadsworth, 2011, 2008, 2005. 316-318. Print.

Ferguson, Jill L. “Teens, Jobs and School: The Pros and Cons” Copyright 2012.    EzineArticles.com


“In-N-Out Burger”.  Copyright 2012 In-N –Out Burger.

Latzko, Laura. “What Are the Benefits of Teenagers Having Jobs?”.  eHow Money. 1999-2012   Demand Media Inc. Web.

“Teenagers and Part-Time Jobs: Benefits, Drawbacks and Tips.” Middle Earth- Partnering with   youth for responsible adulthood. Web. 2 April. 2010.