by Paul Lines

Created on: November 04, 2008   Last Updated: August 02, 2009

The argument surrounding whether teenagers should be allowed to work after the school day is over has been raging for years. On the one side there are those who believe that it has an adverse effect upon their education and, potentially, the teenager's health. On the other hand, proponents argue that it provides the teenager with a small amount of financial independence and experience of the work environment that might prove invaluable in their later careers. This article argues the case against teenagers having after-school jobs.

It should be pointed out at the outset that this opinion does not rest upon a total objection to teenagers having part time jobs at any time. For instance, there is nothing wrong with teenagers having part time jobs at the weekend or during school holidays to earn that small amount of their "own" money and learn about the structure and processes of a work environment, as long as this work does not totally preclude time for them to relax and pursue leisure activities. Teenagers will always want to earn that little extra to supplement any "pocket money" or allowance their parents provide to enable them to purchase the latest clothing or mobile that their peers might possess. Furthermore, it is good for them to learn the value of independent financial management. However, in the opinion of the author, it is never advisable for teenage to be working after school days have finished, for several reasons.

Perhaps the most important and strongest reason why teenagers should not work after school days have finished can be evidence by the fact that several researches have shown that a teen's concentration and attention span begins to wane at around midday during a school day and this continues through to the evening. Whilst this might be hardly noticeable to the average parent, it does present some serious issues safety and learning issues that can be exacerbated by them taking on work roles during the early evening.

If a teen is less attentive they are more likely to make mistakes and, in a work environment, however relaxed that is, mistakes can lead to accidents. For example, if a teen has an evening newspaper delivery round this will possibly involve them walking or cycling along busy roads. They only need to have one momentary lapse of conversation for a road accident to occur. They will be tired from the rigours of school or college work and therefore should not be put at risk in this way.

Secondly, most teenagers like to

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