Working teens make close to 400 dollars weekly, but is it worth the stress? Working has its benefits, and who does not like some extra cash, but it might not be as easy as it seems.
Teens that work develop a better sense of responsibility. They learn how to be in a work environment and how to manage more than one responsibility. Working teaches teens how to manage their time more wisely. The average working teen works an average of 25 hours a week, which may be too much. When having to also go to school for 30 hours a week, they then must learn how to spend their time wisely and to put importance into their spare time. According to a site on adolescent behavioral health, teens that work less than 15 hours a week get better grades than teens who don’t work. The site also acknowledges that jobs as a teen can help kids develop a sense of responsibility and a greater sense of self. According to a New York Times Article, “teens screen time has increased since 2021 from (nearly five hours) to eight hours for teens (ages 13 to 18).” Jobs help teens understand how valuable time can really be, and help limit screen time.
teens screen time has increased since 2021 from (nearly five hours) to eight hours for teens (ages 13 to 18).
With that being said, a job can also take up too much of your time. While having a job, teens can neglect other important things like their mental health. Having a job is a big responsibility and can seem overwhelming. Being sure that teens can handle the work that is expected of them is important. Many teens rush into jobs because they want to make some extra cash. However, they don’t consider how much stress may be put on them. If a teen is not ready for a job, it has a huge effect on their mental health.
A job should also not cause you more stress than you can handle. Stress can be a good thing and can cause work harder and better, but when stress becomes a problem outside of work it can cause problems with mental health and well-being. There are many ways to manage stress and relax the mind. One recommended way and one of the best ways to manage stress is by meditating. Meditation can cause a sense of relaxation, peace, and clarity. Meditating can cause focus away from stress. Another way to keep mental health in check is by doing things that cause peace like reading, drawing or going for a walk, anything that can cause relaxation to the mind is a good way to manage stress caused from work. Being able to talk to a manager or job leader about how you feel in the environment is also crucial. Being miserable at a job is never a good thing and making sure you are happy is more important than a job position.
Teens also need a lot of time to socialize. Socializing with others is a big part of human nature. Being social with other people your age helps develop social skills which you need throughout your life. It helps fill the human need for belonging. Especially at a younger age, many teenagers struggle with finding a purpose or a goal. Being with others and socializing helps calm stress and helps certain people grow. If work is a problem with being able to socialize with others, it may not be the best option.
Physical health as a young teenager is very important. The teenage body is still growing and being able to reach all of its necessary needs is very important. If a job causes someone to not be able to take care of themselves physically it may not be the best option for them. There are many ways to take care of yourself physically and one of the most important things is having a balanced diet. A balanced diet is crucial because meeting the needs of the growing body is going to change the way the body works and functions. Exercising is also a good way to keep the body healthy. Making sure a job is not causing any physical pain is important because many problems can come from working too hard or pushing yourself too much. Knowing your limits and staying under them can help you be a healthier person for the rest of your life.
Of course, having a job should not affect your school work. Many times, jobs can be more stressful than school and take the importance of school away. A good way to avoid this is by having a schedule. Having a time period to get school work done will help you stay on top of work. According to a School Habits news article, they recommend studying 45-60 minutes daily. This means there should be no distractions and all focus should be on the work. Making sure to get that hour of studying in will help from falling behind and missing out on school.
Working as a teenager has many benefits and disadvantages, but the important thing is being able to have a balance. Balancing out work from school and other activities and hobbies is the best way to keep yourself healthy both mentally and physically. Knowing how to manage life while also maintaining a job is key. If you are able to keep balance in your life, then a job is a great option.d