Why do middle class parents make their kids hold jobs during the school year?

[Anonymous]

I wanted the money. Then I could spend it however I wanted. I think I worked one after school shift and then a weekend at the grocery store. Maybe 12-15 hours. My kids are still in ES, but I will definitely encourage this when they hit high school.

[Anonymous]

When I was in my first year of law school, one of my classmates had an absolute meltdown because her mother gently suggested that she get a summer job after her 1L year. She had never had a job and didn't see why she SHOULD get a job because she was in school.

Rich families are absolutely astonishing sometimes. The behavior of the rich and folks on welfare are so similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was in my first year of law school, one of my classmates had an absolute meltdown because her mother gently suggested that she get a summer job after her 1L year. She had never had a job and didn't see why she SHOULD get a job because she was in school.

Rich families are absolutely astonishing sometimes. The behavior of the rich and folks on welfare are so similar.

LOL. While in college and grad school I held down a part time job editing college essays for rich family brats like that. Whatever works.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in an affluent area, though my parents weren't nearly as wealthy as most of my classmates. (Chicago suburb.)

Probably the wealthiest boy in my class had a job bagging groceries at the local mom and pop grocery store. His father was a big time exec and my house could have fit inside of his house ten times. His parents were filthy rich. But SO kind. And he bagged groceries.

[Anonymous]

Because they don't want them drinking and drugging with rich DCUMers kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was in my first year of law school, one of my classmates had an absolute meltdown because her mother gently suggested that she get a summer job after her 1L year. She had never had a job and didn't see why she SHOULD get a job because she was in school.

Rich families are absolutely astonishing sometimes. The behavior of the rich and folks on welfare are so similar.

The last paragraph is so absolutely accurate!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How could this possibly be self-defeating in the big picture of life?

Grades, extracurriculars, community engagement are more important. Only so many hours in a day. It seems middle class parents are old school and think a job toughens their kid up -- meanwhile UMC parents have their kids learning calculus and computer programming, you know, real skills.

How is learning to be timely, communicate clearly, ask questions to clarify tasks, managing money, and taking responsibility, not a "real skill"? I think the whole grit thing is bunk myself, but teenage jobs aren't about grit. They're about kids learning to be independent and responsible, and to earn some money for themselves. Also I had fun at my jobs when I was a kid. (And lots of delicious pizza like PP said.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How could this possibly be self-defeating in the big picture of life?

Grades, extracurriculars, community engagement are more important. Only so many hours in a day. It seems middle class parents are old school and think a job toughens their kid up -- meanwhile UMC parents have their kids learning calculus and computer programming, you know, real skills.

How is learning to be timely, communicate clearly, ask questions to clarify tasks, managing money, and taking responsibility, not a "real skill"? I think the whole grit thing is bunk myself, but teenage jobs aren't about grit. They're about kids learning to be independent and responsible, and to earn some money for themselves. Also I had fun at my jobs when I was a kid. (And lots of delicious pizza like PP said.)

Oh and also -- I WANTED the job. My parents never told me to get a job. I got it myself, because it sounded interesting, and I wanted some extra money. Teens naturally want autonomy.

[Anonymous]

omg.. op, you are clueless.

https://parentsuniversalresourceexperts.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/teens-jobs-teaches-responsibility-5-reason-teens-should-work/

[Anonymous]

I held a job starting at 14 at my father's restaurant. I usually held one or 2 shifts per weekend and then I'd work a lot during the summer and during vacation. I earned spending money - my parents knew the more skin I had in the game regarding purchases, the better decisions I'd made. I think it was the best decision on their part ever. I am excellent with money, learned how to be a good customer, and learned that no task is beneath me. Why wouldn't you have a kid work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To build "grit"? Seems self defeating, big picture.

It is self defeating in the big picture until you have them living in your basement with their various kids from baby daddies who show up only for booty calls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To build "grit"? Seems self defeating, big picture.

It is self defeating in the big picture until you have them living in your basement with their various kids from baby daddies who show up only for booty calls.

+1

Make 'em pay for stuff they want. When we were teens, it was a car. These days, it's typically a smartphone. It's a want, not a need.

[Anonymous]

I have always worked in some form or another from mothers helper at age 8 to my career now. In high school I had a "real job" as a secretary/office assistant from 2:30-5:30 M-F and part time "real" (lab tech and research assistant etc.) jobs through college. I hated it but I liked the money and I never had to ask my parents for any - this was the rewarding part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How could this possibly be self-defeating in the big picture of life?

Grades, extracurriculars, community engagement are more important. Only so many hours in a day. It seems middle class parents are old school and think a job toughens their kid up -- meanwhile UMC parents have their kids learning calculus and computer programming, you know, real skills.

You must be a troll. I had a part-time job, did AP calculus (and multiple other AP courses), started/led clubs at school, participated in a sport. I got into a top 5 school. If you can't do all of these things you're not very smart. So yeah, if your kid is average then by all means protect them from having that part time job.

Same here. Worked 3-4 nights a week for 4 hour shifts, played two sports, got a D1 scholarship in one of them and accepted to several lrestigious schools including Ivy League. I dare say having a job was part of the reason I was so disciplined and good at managing my time.

[Anonymous]

I was raised in an upper middle class family and always had a job. My DH did the same with our teens. We wanted them to learn about responsibility, worth ethic, self-discipline, and accountability. We wanted them to feel the pride of a job done well and the excitement of earning and spending their own money. We also wanted them to learn that some jobs are really, really tough. Going to college gives you more options when selecting a career.

Sorry, but I think all kids should have jobs during high school.