An average day of high school takes up about six hours of a teenager's day. For some students, after they've sat in front of the television completing homework, chores, and snacking (an extra 2.5 hours all together), they believe that a full day of work has been had. They will proceed to play video games and then head off to bed exhausted.
According to Statistics Canada, teens have busier lives now and are under more stress, but does that mean they can't get jobs?
Once the weekend arrives, they'll beg for allowance and a later curfew from their parents. If they are broke or told no, they complain about how much their parents suck and how life isn't fair. Hit the repeat button for next Monday.
How do these kids expect to be seen as mature or gain respect from their elders if they continue on with this pattern? They want more dignity and to be seen as a young adult, without changing their spoiled ways.
Firstly, try and get a job. It's not that hard.
Prince George is full of new opportunities for today's youth and jobs are waiting. Businesses are short-staffed while students could be helping out and making their own money independently. The number of people holding down jobs and the city's workforce in general has shrunk over the past year, according to Statistics Canada's labour market survey. The number of people of working age was 52,900, but now it's 48,200. Are more people moving out of the city? Are a lot of people just retiring? Or is it that all of today's kids have gotten lazier? Statistics Canada says they aren't lazier, but are not getting enough sleep and are more stressed out, especially girls.
Lacking the dedication they need to go job searching, the kids will get into trouble or find easier things to waste their time on. If they can't accomplish this, what else will they strike out with in life? Getting a job and being handed a first paycheck gives the kind of confidence that helps them grow to become the best they can to their ability. It helps them build the skills of becoming an independent adult. All it takes is putting in a little effort.
There is no excuse that a healthy, full of energy, and strong teen can't get a job. If shyness is the reason why they wouldn't want to work, that's a bit silly. Working will help teens gets over their shyness and make better social skills for them out in the work force. There are many positives outcome that come from working. Change will not come if one is not willing to change their ways, and noticeable change will show, with a heavier wallet in their pocket and a smile on their face. They just have to get out there and try it out.
- Kelsey Larson is a Grade 12 student at College Heights Secondary who has been job shadowing at The Citizen for the last month.
