Teen Jobs

Jobs in the United States are very limited. The number of jobs has significantly dropped since President Bush has been in office. "The president was handed a 5.6 trillion dollar surplus ladies and gentlemen, that is where he was when he came into office. Now we have a 2.6 dollar trillion dollar deficit. This is the biggest turn around in the history of the country. He is the first president in 72 years to loose jobs" Kerry said during the presidential debates. And the job market isn't looking good either. "Economists are predicting the worst labor market in decades for the nation's teen jobs. It's just that more people are competing for them, including unemployed adults and older people who are finding retirement plans that aren't sufficient." "The Ð''no experience' thing plays a role because businesses would rather hire someone who has more experience than teens. I've been looking for pretty much any job that will take me. I'd be happy working at McDonalds!" said a teenager looking for a job in New York. "Before the summer came, my friends and I made a plan to get jobs. Now we're just a group of 10 unemployed people hanging out" said another teenager looking for a job in San Francisco. Jobs for teens need to be allowed by their parents and by their community.

According to the grovejob.com website, "A part time job can be an invaluable way for a teen to learn real-life skills and complement the things that you learn in school." When teenagers have a job, they learn what money really means. They get a feel for what the real world is, and not have their parents buy them everything they want. The teenagers that work for their money are prepared for their life. "The job opened my eyes ... I now know where I want to be." Stated Green, D.L.

When the parents say the lines, "you are too young to work" or, "your school work is important and your job will interfere with you homework". Teenagers need to agree to what they are saying. But, parents need to know that school work is your number one priority, and if the job is affecting the grades, you will quit.

Teens that don't have jobs and families that can't afford a living turn to crime. An example of teens turning to crime would be in Boston that has had 1,200 fewer youth jobs than the past year. "The lack of jobs along with a higher population of teenagers, a rise in gun-related crimes and an increase in gang clashes is a combustible mixture that could produce a long, ugly summer."

According to law 8-12-105 in the Colorado Statues, the maximum working hours on school days/ school hours are for minors under the age of 16, shall be permitted to work in excess 6 hours unless the next day isn't a school day. Except for babysitters, no minor under the age of 16 shall work between the hours of 9:30pm-5:30am, unless the next day isn't a school day. No employer shall be permitted to work more than 40 hours a week or more than 8 hours in a twenty-four-hour period. If employee goes over the limit, they earn one and a half more than normal pay. If the students aren't allowed to work from 9:30-5:30, they still have time to do homework. Most sports games that are on days of the week, can last until 10:15-10:30 at night. The Fairview football games are sometimes on Thursday nights. They don't end until 10:00 p.m. if they don't go into overtime. If athletes can stay up until 10:30 before they start their homework, then a student with a job can work and could still finish their homework.

Jobs are very safe in Colorado. The Colorado Statues have allowed certain ages to perform certain jobs. Law 8-12-106 states that any minor at the age of nine or older shall be permitted employment in any of the following non-hazardous occupations: Delivery of hand bills, magazines, advertisement samples, shoe shinning, gardening, taking care of lawns, cleaning of sidewalks/ driveways, and being a golf caddie. This law allows young children to work for their money. If companies stick with the laws, young children will not get injured when they are working at a fast food restaurant. In 1999, 44,000 teenagers were injured working at a restaurant. "I slipped and fell hard, and broken glass went right into my arm," claimed a 16 year old from Arizona.

Minors the age of 12 and older are allowed to work with sale and delivery of door to door selling, babysitting, gardening/ taking care of lawns, cleaning of walks, and agricultural work.

The Permissible occupations at age 14 or older are: non-hazardous occupations in manufacturing, public massager service and errands by foot, operation in automatic enclosed feign and passenger elevator, janitorial and custodial service, office work and clerical work, office equipment, warehousing and storage/ loading and unloading vehicles, and occupations in retail stores. Kids need to understand the caution of the dangers a job can cause.

"The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides for the employment of certain individuals at wage rates below the minimum wage. These individuals include student-learners (vocational education students), as well as full-time students employed by retail or service establishments, agriculture, or institutions of higher education. Also included are individuals, whose earning or productive capacity is impaired by a physical or mental disability, including those related to age or injury, for the work to be performed." Why does the law allow students that work the same amount of hours, but are paid less because of their age? The same amount of hard work and intelligence goes into their job, but they are discriminated due to their age.

There are stories that are told about teenagers getting hurt on the job. But most cases the law has been broken in someway that caused the injury. "A 14-year old boy died when he fell off from the roof where he was working." According to the Colorado Law 8-12-108, the boy wasn't old enough to be a roofer. If the boy worked as a public messenger, his life could have been saved. "Sixteen year old Texas boy was killed in an automobile crash in June, while making deliveries for his employer. Under federal law, sixteen year olds are prohibited from occupational driving." "A nine year old boy was killed in May while delivering newspapers. The boy fell out of the minivan, and was run over by the vehicle. He was not wearing his seatbelt, which is required by law. "A seventeen year old in Arizona died in august while using a forklift on the job." Federal law prohibits youths under eighteen from operating forklifts or similar equipment. Secretary Elaine L. Chao, the U.S. Department of Labor has created a program called YouthRules! The program educates