Should 16 year olds get pocket money or get a job?

When I was at school in the 70s we had part time jobs from about 14 . I had more available cash than when I started work (full time ) at 16 and had to give my
mum some board. My parents had little spare cash so my part time jobs allowed me to buy clothes and make up.

I agree with this. I’m fairly generous, DC earns £150-200 a month and I match it.

I also buy clothes, phone, toiletries etc.

I also wouldn’t want them working too much. A level study is the most important thing they can do this year imo.

Some 16 year olds simply aren't ready or capable of work.

Personally I think if people are still claiming child benefit or perhaps in receipt of child support then pocket money should be paid where possible.

I'd rather they concentrate on their A levels.

My 16 year old picks up a few shifts at a local cafe, but I don’t want her working too much as she gets into A levels. They’ll all be working until they are at least 68, there’s no rush!!

I agree with your husband.

What's her college timetable like? If she's in similar to school hours with an hour commute either end, i wouldn't really expect her to then to go out to work afterwards. If she's working weekends, I'd want to facilitate travel as much as possible - an hour each way on an 8 he shift is a whole day gone.

She could look if there's jobs near college week days if she could manage it but I'd Def give her a basic rate of pocket money

Both mine have had jobs. Ds16 has a job easter to November and has worked a shift every day during the holidays. He is saving for a car. We will give him money for bus pass, food and a bit extra. We pay for essentials but if he wants more expensive trainers then he adds in the rest. He opened his own savings account and is really good with money. He did not work during the bulk of his exams this year, it would have bern too much. He is lucky to have a lovely employer.

@Dramatic
We don't live in a city, my DD had a 30 min bus and 15 min walk to get to her job. We have to prepare our kids for life not treat them as small children who need everything on their doorstep or parents doing it for them.

It really depends. I had one and it was probably a good thing for me. However my niece is about to start her a-levels wanting to do Vet Med and as it requires a lot of voluntary experience, she is leaving her weekends free to do this and has her first few all booked in. So, not paid work but I guess still has value.

We give our kids their child allowance from ages of 15 and they use that for socialising, clothes they want but not essential etc.
It is tricky though as my girls have both earned their own money either working or selling stuff on line, and our son has not. He got a Deliveroo job but had only managed one shift so far!! He is about to start Uni and we have been clear that we will not fund everything and that he will need to do a couple of evenings a week to top up his costs. However, he probably spends less generally than his sister's and his idea of leisure is a cycle ride or chess game so we are not having to constantly fork out. He also manages with far less clothes than the girls.

Definitely a job - very part time obviously.

Am I correct in thinking that if they are at college it's not a 9 to 5 timetable so there is study/HW time in the week?

If so, I think a job is beneficial for many reasons;

The work experience will teach them other skills plus look good on a CV. If I wad interviewing as an employer and 2 candidates had the same educational qualifications but one had work experience I would probably pick them if they were both suitable for the role.

Financially, I think it's good for them to have some responsibility for budgeting for things they want to buy/do.

It's also good to have a balance between studying and work.

One of mine had a part time job in a fast food chain restaurant - he didn't like it but it focused his mind to work towards something he did want to do.

DS is 15. At the moment I’d rather he concentrated at school which hasn’t come easy to him sadly. He has two hobbies that he’s good at and those cover weekends, not every weekend though. He knows he’s good at those and those are giving him the confidence that school doesn’t. I’m in no rush to push him into a job when he turns 16 unless he wants to.

We give him money each month and pay for his phone. He is expected to do several jobs around the house in addition to the usual keeping your room tidy, dishwasher etc.

As above. Job.

Mine both had a paper round at 13, DD worked in a chippy at 15 and her and DS were in well known retail stores at 16 until uni. They then worked through uni, DS in a petrol station and DD 50% placement on the healthcare course with bank shifts.

Both have never not got a job they really wanted and both have a great work ethic and lots of interview experience.

IMO, there are no benefits to delaying getting your foot on the employment ladder.

Back in 80s, it was a lot easier to get a job at sixteen. Around where I live, it’s harder to get a job until you’re seventeen.

Everyone I went to sixth form with, worked. There was a huge shopping centre open until 10pm nearby so lots mainly worked there a combination of evenings/weekend shifts.
I'd still give pocket money though, maybe £15 a week and she can top up with wages.
I always preferred waitressing at that age, you're busy so the time goes quickly and I made additional money in tips.

I think a Saturday job is great experience and a good way to take financial responsibility early.

Agree. I was teen in the 90s and was the same. Nearly everyone had jobs through school and the sixth form and then uni. All got really good results. I know there are more restrictions on children working now, but there are still jobs out there.

It's good for your cv, gives you life experience, provides some independence etc. My DD has already got her name down at the local coffee shop for when she's a bit older, and friends are already doing paper rounds here and there.

Similar. My school bus was free and they’d give me cash for school lunches, basic clothes etc. From 16 I worked 6am-2pm Sat and Sun.

I don't expect my child to work if in full time education....she also does sport which I encourage.
If she wants to get a job she can
If I were you maybe switch from buying all clothes and toiletries and give her money to cover most personal spending and she can budget accordingly and use some of that to go out.

Agree.

Do you have any jobs or tasks that you need doing or she could help with and you could pay her? We have our own business so can pay our 15 year old to help with some jobs. Maybe stuff around the house? Just a thought?

£20 a week & you buy all her clothes & essentials? That seems a lot to me, what do they spend it all on? My 16yo only gets £5 a week & seems to have enough. We will be encouraging her to get a Saturday job soon & see how it goes in terms of impact on study.

At 16 I gave mine a quarterly payment to cover their transport, clothing, some entertainment and essentials. It wasn't anything extravagant, just enough for them to get everything they needed. They also had a job to buy the things they wanted. While they are at school, we think it's our responsibility to provide their necessities.

My daughter has just got an 8 hour a week job. I am hoping that's a good balance with having enough time to study.

I have made it clear though that I want approx 50% saved for uni. That will still give her plenty for spending.

I would expect her to get a very part time job. It’s a nice feeling earning so you can treat yourself.