According to an American survey, some families are worried about the negative consequences that student jobs can have on the sleep, the timetable and the academic results of their young teenagers.
- The question of the impact of student work on the health of adolescents divides parents according to a survey.
- While some families praise the merits of these professional experiences on their teenager’s self-esteem and autonomy, others worry about the negative consequences on sleep, school results and life balance.
- Finding a job that addresses logistical considerations — schedules and transportation — could be key to minimizing these negative consequences.
Are student jobs bad for the physical and mental health of teenagers? This is what some parents questioned in the context of from a national survey on children’s health at CS Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan, USA.
Student jobs are widespread in the United States and Europe
In the United States, for many teenagers, the first job as a cashier in a fast food restaurant, barista or lifeguard is a rite of passage. In France, young people are also affected by this issue since 40% of students have a job alongside their studies, according to the latest survey “Living conditions“, published in April 2021 by the National Observatory of Student Life (OVE).
More than half of parents of 18-year-olds surveyed for the U.S. national poll say their child has a student job, compared to just over two-fifths of parents of 16- to 17-year-olds and 8% of parents of children aged 14 to 15.
Based on responses from 1,017 parents with at least one child between the ages of 14 and 18, parents of non-working teens fear that having a job will negatively impact grades, participation in their child’s activities, sleep or social life.
The world of work can have a detrimental impact on adolescent mental health
Of parents of working teens, almost half say their child has encountered problems in the workplace such as “inability to get promised hours, being forced to work longer or later, and disagreements with co-workers or managers”, notes Sarah Clark, co-director of the survey. This can take a toll on their psyche and stress levels.
“Teens may feel overwhelmed by some of the new challenges in the workplace“, she added, urging parents not to leave their child to face it alone: ”Parents can give advice on how to manage conflicts and communicate about them”.
It is also the question of the compatibility of working hours with those of school life as well as the convenience of the journey between home and the place of work that preoccupy parents of adolescents (four out of five parents).
Student job: it boosts the self-esteem of teenagers
However, working while studying at a young age does not only have disadvantages: it can teach responsibility, independence and help teenagers gain valuable experiences. In addition, for 70% of parents, it is beneficial for the teenager’s self-esteem.
It is therefore a question of finding the right balance and finding a job that corresponds to the needs of the teenagers and those of his family, to avoid conflicts, indicates Sarah Clark. It appeals to young people’s sense of responsibility: “Teens need to be realistic about the time needed for schoolwork, extracurricular activities, family commitments, and planned social events, to prevent this new responsibility from having a negative impact on their grades, health, and life. other aspects of their life”.