Back in the early 60’s while living in Lindsey California, in the fall, I would go around town and offer to climb the trees and knock down “all” the leaves so that there would be only one time that the leaves needed to be raked up. I made a fortune, (or it seemed for a 12 year old kid). I had lots of money for Christmas presents, (and snacks). No one thought that I was breaking any laws.
I have mowed lawns in the summer, pulled weeds for a fast food restaurants, (which resulted in a full time summer job). I worked as an unofficial assistant manager for KFC as a 17 year old High School student, (40 + hours a week, which was against the labor laws), and made the weekend bank drops, hired and fired employees and ordered all the supplies because the “manager” wanted to race cars from Friday night until Sunday night.
I have never been without a source of income. Even when unemployed I was using a friends tow truck to pick up junk cars from peoeple’s property and selling them to the salvage yards, (average sale was $200 per car, for which I gave my friend $100 for the use of the tow truck).
Taking away the desire of the youth to earn a little spending money and to learn the lesson of hard work is a travesty. We need kids with the drive to work for what they want.
Good post. As a kid growing up on Long Island in the 60’s-70’s we would go door to door offering to shovel snow or cut lawns for some small price. The neighbors often appreciated the services and never ever did any of this commie-like govt. Interference carp occur. This is the govt. The founders warned against.