Number of high-school students with jobs hits 20-year low

The Washington Times ^ | May 24, 2012 | Ben Wolfgang

[Stalwart]

Sectors that traditionally have offered teens their first paying gig — fast-food chains, movie theaters, malls and big-box retailers — have now become the last resorts for out-of-work college graduates or older Americans forced back into the labor force out of sheer financial necessity. The resulting squeeze has left students on the outside looking in.

[cloudmountain]

First the "blame game" is begun.
These young people blame older people. Lol. Whiners. Of course, they learned THAT from older people: (Put in whiny voice.) "It's not my fauuullllt...."

[PGR88]

Even here in NY State, if a teenager wants to work, there are plenty of places that they can find work. I see MCD’s, supermarkets, garden centers all advertising for workers. I really don’t see a shortage of jobs for teens.

I DO see a change in attitudes towards work, money and saving. Times have changed and society is different. in the 1970’s, as a young teen, my Dad pretty much insisted I get a part-time job to save for future school, car, etc... Same with my friends at the time. I see more kids now (not all of course) feel more comfortable that their needs will be supplied somehow, so are less willing to work.

[cloudmountain]

I was lucky. My parents paid for all our education, college included.

However, if we wanted anything beyond food we had to work for it. I remember working at the post office one December: 6:30 P.M. to 6:30 A.M., seven days a week. I still get tired remembering it. BUT, I wanted what I wanted and did get it.

That taught me a lot...in more ways than one.

[Kharis13]

Is Clueless Joe going to proclaim this another “Recovery Summer”? I think he’s called the past couple summers just that. Gotta love this Obama economy.

[tcrlaf]

The longer school year (especially year-round school) has had a big effect on this, but CIVIL LIABILITY is the big culprit here.

[Truth is a Weapon]

Having an unemployed teenager hanging around the house all summer should focus more than a few households that we need to change the drag on the economy come November.

[King_Corey]

I call BS. This is LAZY, anyone can be unemployed. Get your ass out there and GET A JOB. I don’t by the “no jobs” crap out there.

I had a PAYCHECK job at 13, I wanted to work. I wanted the income. I knew even then, if you don’t go to work you don’t get paid. I shoveled snow in the winter, mowed lawns in the summer, split firewood, and raked leaves. Everything I could legally do to earn money.

There is a place you go when you want money, it is called WORK.

The sorry Mommy and Daddy won’t let their little Raindrop go out without an escort and dumping wads of cash into their hands for nothing.

I had chores at the house, I had 2 jobs at 13, I haven’t been out of work for more than 2 weeks in a row over the last 30 years. I turn 43 very soon. I paid my own way through college, every cent. My parents didn’t have money, my brother left for the NAVY before I had my own room. My other brother got a Masters degree, paid for it all himself too.

And I will be honest with you. ALL of you. NO JOB IS BENEATH YOU. Get that into your kids head too.

I would clean toilets, I will shovel manure, I will do the dirty jobs. But I work hard and earn my money. I have NO sympathy for kids are that are unemployed.

If your kid sees you not working, they won’t work. Lazy breeds lazy. Stop handing them money, start making kids work for their keep. Jobs start at the house.