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

Parents Forum
1

<p>"Did somebody say McJobless?</p>

<p>The American job market is no place for students as the number of employed high schoolers has hit its lowest level in more than 20 years, according to new figures from the National Center for Education Statistics.</p>

<p>In 1990, 32 percent of high school students held jobs, versus just 16 percent now. Blame their elders.</p>

<p>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." …</p>

<p>[Number</a> of high-school students with jobs hits 20-year low - Washington Times](<a href=“http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/may/24/number-of-high-school-students-with-jobs-hits-20-y/]Number”>http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/may/24/number-of-high-school-students-with-jobs-hits-20-y/)</p>

2

<p>But if you think that’s bad…</p>

<p>[Business</a> - Derek Thompson - Nearly 50% of the Young People in Greece and Spain Are Unemployed - The Atlantic](<a href=“Nearly 50% of the Young People in Greece and Spain Are Unemployed - The Atlantic”>Nearly 50% of the Young People in Greece and Spain Are Unemployed - The Atlantic)</p>

3

<p>Kids #1 & 2 worked restaurant jobs during high school, but I’ve discouraged kids #3 & 4 from getting jobs for two reasons: they are loaded up with AP classes/homework (I’m afraid jobs will lower their grades–scholarships are worth much more than $ that can be saved from jobs), AND their dad has a job and we can pay their expenses–while the economy is bad, I don’t want them to take jobs away from people who REALLY need them.</p>

4

<p>I was wondering about that too atomom. My HS D is too busy to have a job. My area must be an anomaly, most of the HS and college kids I know who want jobs have them.</p>

5

<p>This is going to have an affect on these kids lives for more years to come. I think this should be a wake up call to the rest of what can happen. Sort of a domino effect. Start with a certain section of the work force and then it will spread.</p>

6

<p>Personally every high school kid that I know that was 100% open to what kind of first job they would take - got one! I think the problem is kids are spoiled and don’t want to “work weekends” “work around food” “work evenings” I even know one boy that won’t look at anything over 5 miles from his house - and his parents bought him his own car! My kids have both been working since they were 14 (mostly just summers life guarding but will pick up some work during the year at the indoor pool).</p>