We want our children to develop into mature, responsible, and productive members of society. One method used, in Western Countries, we have seen in movies and soap operas is teenagers doing part-time jobs. What are the benefits and drawbacks of teenagers working part-time jobs? Should in India we allow teenagers to do part-time job? Aman worked in MacDonald’s in Australia. He is the child of Our friends Kavya and Deepak’s who had moved to Australia some time back. An Interview with the parents and the child.
Should Teenager Part Time Job
Table of Contents
Pros and Cons of Teenager Doing a Part-Time Job
There are many benefits and drawbacks of adolescents doing part-time jobs. Whether or not a part-time job is right for your teen, You also should consider your teen’s temperament as well as their existing time commitments.
Pros of Teenager Doing Part-Time Job
When a Teenagers works, it builds life skills, Instills new confidence, a sense of responsibility, and independence.
- Gain useful, life skills such as how to handle people, improving their communication, developing interview skills.
- Learn time management skills.
- Provide constructive use of free time. Employment gives teens less time to engage in risky behaviors.
- Learn to manage money
- Have less time for risk-taking
Cons of Teenager Doing Part-Time Job
- Have less time for studying, homework
- Interfere with activities
- View workplace negatively
- Might create stress
- May lead to substance abuse
Did you know 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. Boys tend to begin their jobs at younger ages and work more hours than girls. By age 15, nearly two-thirds of American teens have had some kind of employment. By the time teens graduate from high school, 80% will have held a part-time job at some time during the school year. The average high school student works 20 hours per week, and about 10% work full time (35 hours or more).
Why do Indians parents don’t let their Teenager do part-time work?
Is it because of ego, pride, the log kya kahenge?(What will people say) In fact often we hear children saying “ tu janta ha mera baap kon hai?” (Do you know who my father is)
We look down upon manual labor and service jobs. That is what you get in part-time work. Will you tell the neighbours if your teenager started delivering pizzas or washing dishes?
Or because parents in India are protective. In the Indian system, an Indian parent’s journey of taking care of their kids starts with the birth of a child, and parents look after the child’s education and then their job and marriage. This cycle goes on for every kid in the Indian setup. Parents don’t want to see their children working when already they have wealth. Parents tell children to concentrate on their studies and not worry about the expenses. In fact, parents start saving as soon as the child is born for education, marriage, etc
But in Western countries, kids are more independent.
Interview of Indian Parents: Why did you let Teenager do Part-Time Job?
Aman worked in MacDonald’s in Australia. He is the child of Our friends Kavya and Deepak’s who had moved to Australia some time back. An Interview with the parents.
Kavya: I was the one who was keen that Aman should work once he is 15 as most kids in this part of the world do it. As parents we want our kid to be successful and I guess I thought he should not be left out on the road to success. Working in the fast-food industry is considered taboo in the minds of many as flipping burgers or something which does not involve intellectual stimulation in the eyes of Asians however in my personal belief all kinds of work is equal or should be equal.
Deepak: because I couldn’t and I wanted to when I was young.
Do you think parents in India should let their kids work? Does it not interfere with his studies & hobbies?
Kavya: It teaches time management … one should be able to juggle all the balls in the air. By 15 if the teenager wants independence then responsibility tags along. I think it is an advantage I think that kids in India are not pushed/ encouraged or are under no peer pressure to work before 18. Surely if one wants to facilitate his kid into working he or she might face questions.
Deepak: maybe it interferes with the studies a bit, but I think it gives some sense of money and confidence to the kid and he understands what it takes to earn the things he wants.
Have you noticed any change in Aman?
Kavya: Not really …. he would have certainly learned a lot of things at work. But the child at heart has not discussed much.
I learned a lot in my first job in Australia after 15 yrs of experience in India. I guess the earlier the better.
Deepak: Yes, he seems more confident about himself and now understands banking. He is proud that he started earning at the age of 15.
How did you feel when Aman got his first salary?
Kavya: Very happy for him. As he always says papa I will earn more than you one day! Hopefully, he is motivated enough to do that in the future.
Deepak: Very proud of him, that he took this up at this very young age, but I keep telling him to have big dreams and not settle for less.
Aman’s Interview on Working in MacDonald
Aman worked in MacDonald’s in Australia. He is the child of Our friends Kavya and Deepak’s who had moved to Australia some time back. An Interview with the child.
Why did you start working at Mcdonald’s?
I started working in McDonald’s as I had noticed that a couple of my friends had already started getting jobs.
That thought at first had never popped up in my mind and almost felt unreal. There was no real specific reason why I chose McDonald’s though the idea of me being able to earn my own money at such a young age was appealing to me which is the reason I chose to get a job in the first place.
How was your experience working in Mcdonald’s?
My experience working in McDonald’s is fantastic as this job really suits my personality which is outgoing.
What have you learned?
I have learned various like multi-tasking, standing up for oneself in scenarios where your manager burdens you with too much work, helps you adapt to situations easily, and accept change with a smile on your face as you meet new people every time you go on a shift and very rarely you see people you already know
Well I don’t really think this should be the parents choice but yes I do think they should motivate their kids to work from an early age as this helps them understand the “real world” better and will equip them better for the future where they will have to work and study at the same time
Bemoneyaware: Reminds you of Bill Gates Quote “”If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.”
What did you feel when you got your first salary?
I think your first salary makes one feel powerful on the inside and but also makes one realize that you are growing up now and have responsibilities and are not a kid anymore
What did you do with your first salary?
Well, to be honest, I did not want to spend it at first cause it was my hard-worked money and made me realize the value of money. But eventually, I did want to spend it on everything my parents say I can’t buy or do which I really wanted to. Like sometimes my parents did not want me to buy outside food for me or want me to buy stuff from stores. My money gives me the freedom to make my own choices.
Video on Teenager doing PartTime Work in MacDonald’s
Sanam,a Pakistani, was challenged by her Mom to work in MacDonals’s
In this video, Kish Israni, based out of Phoenix, Arizona USA, brings you behind the scenes into a day of his life as a McDonald’s Worker! This is the third video in a series where he goes behind the scenes of what it’s like to work as an employee of McDonald’s and further explore the career you can build in the company.
Famous McDonald’s Employees
Everyone has to start somewhere. Before these celebrities were the stars that people know and love, they were the cashiers, fry cooks, and employees serving our Big Macs.
- Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon.com, was a “grill man” at McDonald’s as a teen. In an interview for Golden Opportunity: Remarkable Careers That Began at McDonald’s, he said that the Saturday morning shift was his favorite: “I would get a big bowl and crack 300 eggs in it,” he recalled.
- Jay Leno, Television presenter, Television producer, Screenwriter, Actor, Voice acting.
- Sharon Stone, Fashion Model, Film Producer, Actor, Voice acting. …
- Carl Lewis,Actor/Olympian.
- Shania Twain, Pink: Musician, Singer-songwriter,
- Scott Walker Career: Governor of Wisconsin, worked at McDonald’s while in High School.
- Paul Ryan: Career: U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan attributes his work ethic to the time he spent working at McDonald’s in High School.
In India Smriti Irani, the television actress-turned-politician, worked at McDonalds in 1990s after being rejected by Jet Airways for her ‘personality’. Smriti Irani won against Rahul Gandhi from the Amethi constituency in the Lok Sabha Elections 2019. In the year 2000, Smriti entered the TV world with the TV serial ‘Aatish’, ‘Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal’. Ekta Kapoor’s show ‘Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ ,Smriti Irani became famous in every household. Smriti played the role of Tulsi.
Note: McDonald is just used as an example.
We are very proud of Aman and Thank Kavya and Deepak for the interview.
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How to teach children the value of Work, Money? Is it a good idea for children to do part-time jobs? Should Indian allow teenagers to do the part-time jobs?
