To expect my 16 yr old to get full time work for the summer?

[whatthewhatthewhat]

At least 8 weeks until they go back to school for A-Levels. I worked full time at that age. AIBU to think they should get a job for the summer?

any teenager of average intelligence should be able to take GCSEs in their stride without requiring a summer to recover

My friends who work in teaching tell me that GCSEs are hell these days and half the kids are having nervous breakdowns.

And when was this? Unless in recent years, your experience is irrelevant.

My brother is 17 so last two years, he actually has two jobs (was "headhunted"'for one on his lunch break) and second job is in a bar. He earns £550 a month.

Mine was 13 years ago.

All through uni I was constantly told people couldn't find jobs, I got one in my first two weeks and worked 20 hours a week through the whole of uni... I just walked into accessorize and asked... it wasn't magic.

Yes my ds is down to do NCS too in late July - he is not so keen but I also think it will be really good for him and it's a good way to keep him away from the xbox for 3/4 weeks!

They’re having nervous breakdowns in part because they’re encouraged to pathologise normal life feelings like anxiety, and to view school exams as a legitimate occasion for hysteria, Halloumi.

It's scary to be 16 and have suddenly left school. I'd encourage them to look for something for a bit of extra cash but not expecting them to get a full time job. My dad was harsh about this sort of thing and it's counter productive.

YABVU. There is a long time to work, let them have a bit of a break. I don't see why it has to be full time either, part time would be okay.

YabVu.

I didn't work until I was 18 and didn't struggle with the concept, just for those who think that 2 years can make that difference.

DD didn't have any paid employment while she was at school, but she didn't just 'laze around'. Now she's a student, she worked in a proper placement type job for 12 weeks last summer and will be doing 8 weeks somewhere else this summer. And she works bloody hard on her studies too... maybe (if family finances allow, of course that's a big 'if') you can be a bit more relaxed about the idea of paid work when they're a school kid if it's clear that they've got a work ethic and money isn't their only motivation?

(Come to think, in very different times I didn't have any paid employment other than lab 'demonstrating' during my PhD till I was 25 and haven't struggled too much with the concept since....33 years unbroken service and counting.)

My niece is really hardworking and has just done her GCSEs. She really wants to work over the summer because she a. Wants the money and b. She finds it boring not having anything structured to do.
I think she has a great attitude and wish her luck but I think she’ll find it hard to find something.

They’re having nervous breakdowns in part because they’re encouraged to pathologise normal life feelings like anxiety, and to view school exams as a legitimate occasion for hysteria

Or maybe, just maybe it's actually hard and all that scientifically disproven psychology bollocks spat out to demonise the younger generation as snowflakes isn't true.

Joining a temp agency is a good idea. There are loads of summer jobs available, catering for weddings etc

YABU and clueless. Jobs are much harder to find than they were in the past and employers can pretty much pick and choose: few want an inexperienced teenager for a handful of weeks. Most of those that might offer him a job are likely to be shitty, exploitative employers who will mess him about, underpay him and even put him at risk.

Unless you are the sort of twat who thinks exploitation and misery are 'good for' young people, leave your DS alone. And don't suggest he touts himself around the neighbourhood as a car washer/dog walker etc, either - again all these jobs tend to be covered by exploitative agencies who charge such low prices that they undercut any enterprising individuals.

They’re having nervous breakdowns in part because they’re encouraged to pathologise normal life feelings like anxiety, and to view school exams as a legitimate occasion for hysteria, Halloumi.

Sure, it’s got absolutely nothing to do with:

• impending environmental catastrophe
• the continuing rise of far right fascism across Europe
• an incredibly difficult economy wrecked by years of austerity
• devaluation of tertiary education
• the devastating effect of social media on developing brains

No, nothing to see here. Just some snowflake teens who can’t handle a bit of normal anxiety.

I'm 50. The job market has changed so much since I left school and was looking for work. In my day it was pretty easy to walk into an employment agency and find temporary work.

However, I am astounded by the number of posters on here with such negative and defeatist attitudes towards finding work for teens. You seem every bit as out of touch with the realities of the job market as those who think you can just find full-time temporary work over the summer.

And I say this as the mother of a 15-year old who has several income streams from various different jobs and enterprises.

Full-time work for a16 year old seems pretty mean.

And don't suggest he touts himself around the neighbourhood as a car washer/dog walker etc, either - again all these jobs tend to be covered by exploitative agencies who charge such low prices that they undercut any enterprising individuals.

If you live in an actual neighbourhood where you know your neighbours, I think a 16 year old could make some money with odd jobs throughout the summer.

But a full-time job for a 16 year old seems pretty mean barring necessity - I have one and he's had a pretty shocking run up to the GCSEs. Glad he's upstairs sleeping at the moment.

Or maybe, just maybe it's actually hard and all that scientifically disproven psychology bollocks spat out to demonise the younger generation as snowflakes isn't true.

Indeed. Lots of judgement from people decades out of their teens who can't fathom that the world is a different place now. It's up there with "if you'd just stop buying avocado toast you'd have a house deposit in no time". Brainless drivel.

I worked every summer from the age of 13 I did babysitting, bed and breakfast help, hotel cleaning and waitressing at hotel carvery, at 16 I worked in a spar and did babysitting at the weekends. I don’t see how she couldn’t find something to be honest.

I feel immensely sorry for today’s teenagers in many ways, but the way in which adults respond to them helps to create the problem, rather than helping to build resilience.

Ime (one current teen and one recent), weekend work/part-time job, particularly over a longer periods is still possible to get but short-term fulltime job is harder as many employers want 18yos+, preferably with previous experience so they don't have to spend the best part of those 8 weeks training them with little time to benefit from their experience.

But then it probably doesn't help that we're a university time so the place is swarming with 18-21yos who can do longer than 8 weeks and who also happen to be trained barristas or experienced retail workers.

I'd say, don't be defeatist, encourage your teen to keep trying, but do it in a positive way and accept that trying and failing is also part of the learning experience, not a sign that you haven't brought them up right. Just having applied for work is going to make it so much easier when they are grown up and have to apply in earnest. And if she gets something, that is a bonus.

I think YABU, children have a long working life ahead of them let them chill and get a part time job if they need extra money.

I gave my children £5 a week pocket money in their teens because they were my children and they were decent members of the household doing a few small jobs. By the way today that fiver would be a tenner!

If they wanted more they had Saturday jobs or babysitting, I paid one to do my cleaning, properly. They didn't work all holidays. I never nagged them to work. They sometimes need to rest mentally and physically, I never nagged them to get up if they didn't need to.

They both have a very strong work ethic and both have excellent jobs with prospects.

My brother is 17 so last two years, he actually has two jobs (was "headhunted"'for one on his lunch break) and second job is in a bar. He earns £550 a month.

Great that it worked out for him, it's not always that easy. And many bars won't hire someone under 18.

Mine was 13 years ago.

2006 was a very different time. I was just out of college and picking up temp work very easily. Then 2008 happened and it hasn't been the same since.

All through uni I was constantly told people couldn't find jobs, I got one in my first two weeks and worked 20 hours a week through the whole of uni... I just walked into accessorize and asked... it wasn't magic.

Great that it worked out for you. Are you suggesting that all the people who have been trying, with no luck, to find a job are lying?

YANBU op.

If thry have a long summer of chilling with their mates they're certain to give up on a levels and spend a life bumming around your house, not working and expecting you to keep them. In fact, I'd charge them rent too. Thry need to understand real life already!! 50% of their earnings should do it.

Or, you know, treat them like the near adults they are. Suggest they start looking for a job, make it clear you can't afford to finance and summer activities / trips, offer to help with a CV etc and let them make their own choice. No one ever ruined their life by not working 40 hours a week at 16

If you join Nextdoor for your neighbourhood (I have no connection) teens can look for babysitting, dog walking etc there. Unfortunately ours is full of 16 year olds looking for this sort of work plus many people with kids round here have nannies. DD would love to do babysitting but there just isn't the demand in this area, you may be luckier. Personally I think DD deserves to enjoy a first summer for many years free from work, it won't happen again for a long time

Suddenly trying to get a full time job for summer is going to be hard. Part time is possible but really they should be looking for something they can continue during A Levels.

I 'looked after' a couple of children in one holiday.They were 8 and 10, I had to be there when their dad left for work at lunch time until mum came back at 5.30. Really I watched TV while they played with friends in their and next door's garden (it was a warm dry summer).

Younger relatives of mine have done

Waiting in a hotel restaurant - they lived in Cornwall so lots of hotels
Worked in a cycle shop - cycle enthusiast who started as a customer and then a Saturday job
Busking - not legal everywhere but a good earner
Argos and Tesco
1 worked in a pub from 14 - washing up on a Sunday

16 can be quite difficult because there are restrictions on things like night working and not being able to sell/serve alcohol so employers who have a choice tend to go for 18+.

Good luck with your dc for job hunting, but don't expect it to be easy.

I expect my 18 and 19 year old to work, but not full time. They've just finished a tough year at college. When you're young, the summer's for having fun!

Your 16 year old has just done their GCSEs, gave them a break! They've got years and years of full time work ahead of them.