<p>I agree that it varies from family to family. DH & I grew up in blue collar families & worked since the first day we were able. We were both also commuter students & I can see now how the combination of commuting & working 30+ hours a week had the effect of us not taking full advantage of our campuses (we didn’t miss that much though; our major required 80-120 hours/semester outside of class participation & I was an Executive Board member for a major campus club.) </p>
<p>We required our D to get a p/t job in HS (it runs less than 10 hours/week) and she’s been babysitting since she was 12. I feel very strongly that my kids need to work for at least one year in a service type industry where they have to interact with the public. Some experience in retail or restaurants makes you more likely to be compassionate when you’re on the other side of the transaction 
And makes them realize that they probably won’t want that kind of job long term.</p>
<p>When D goes off to college in the fall, we will provide an allowance for the first semester. We’d like her to get settled both in her studies & her living situation. She’s gotten a VERY nice scholarship so DH & I feel that that is fair. We have told her that she’s on the hook for a job starting second semester.</p>