Teen Jobs Debate: Why Some Parents Say “Yes” and Others Say “No”

As a mom to a teen who is just a year away from being able to work, I find myself questioning whether or not I would want him to work when he’s 16, or if I should let him focus on school and football. I know I’m not alone when it comes to thinking this.

Is having a job while in school a rite of passage… or a recipe for burnout? That’s the big question we posed to our listeners yesterday and they didn’t hold back!

Some parents told us that teen jobs are an awesome way to build responsibility, life skills, and independence. Others said, “Not so fast!” Urging teens to focus on school first and not overload themselves. And of course, a whole bunch of you chimed in with the golden middle ground: balance is everything.

Should Teens Work? What Parents Are Saying – and Why It Matters

Here’s why this convo matters: According to Workforce SOlutions Borderplex, Right now in our region, over 16,000 young people (ages 16–24) aren’t currently part of the workforce. That’s a big number and it’s a big opportunity.

Studies show that early work experience does so much more than pad a bank account. It teaches time management, communication, decision-making, and builds the kind of confidence that school alone can’t always provide.

Gen Z and Gen Alpha are tech-savvy, creative, and collaborative but they still need support developing soft skills like punctuality and professionalism.

And when it comes to employers being hesitant to hire the younger generation, listen up: Be flexible with school schedules and patient with the learning curve. When you invest in youth, you’re investing in your future workforce.

Thankfully El Paso has a local organization that can help parents navigate these difficult questions: Workforce Solutions Borderplex.

Through their NextForce program, students can be paired with local businesses or organizations to get hands-on experiences through paid internships. These internships are key when it comes to students learning important workforce skills while they are still in school.

If you're a parent who is interested in helping your kid find a job that matches them then click here.