In August I was a guest on BBC Radio Hereford & Worcestershire, talking about Saturday Jobs with Elliot Webb. You can listen again via this link. I’ve also expanded on my thinking into this article.
Why Fewer Teenagers Have Saturday Jobs—and Why Your Teen Might Need One
Remember when Saturday jobs were a rite of passage? From stacking shelves to delivering papers, these part-time gigs gave young people a taste of responsibility and a bit of extra pocket money. But times have changed. Today, fewer teenagers are working, and you may be wondering why, and whether your teen should have a job.
In 1998, half of all 16-17 year-olds in the UK had some form of employment. Fast forward 25 years, and that number has halved. Only around a quarter of teenagers now have a job. But what’s causing this shift?
The Rise of Academic and Extracurricular Pressures
One major reason is the increasing pressure on young people to excel academically. From A-level results to university applications, teenagers today are feeling the heat. Many parents, teachers, and schools encourage them to focus on their studies, leaving little time for part-time work. There’s a perception that what they do at 16 or 17 will define their future careers, even though many adults know that’s rarely the case.
Along with schoolwork, today’s teens are often involved in numerous extra-curricular activities, from sports to music lessons, which means they’re busy even on weekends. By the time Saturday rolls around, many teenagers are simply too exhausted to take on a job.
Are Parents to Blame?
Another contributing factor could be that parents aren’t pushing their children to work the way they used to. As a teenager, you may have been told to get a job if you wanted more pocket money, but now, with a focus on education and extracurriculars, that pressure seems to have eased. Parents are more likely to encourage their teens to concentrate on their studies or activities rather than balancing school and work.
The Benefits of a Saturday Job
Despite these shifts, having a Saturday job can still be incredibly valuable for today’s teenagers. It’s not just about earning money; it’s about learning life skills that will serve them for years to come. Here are some key benefits:
- Responsibility and Commitment: Holding down a part-time job teaches teens the importance of showing up on time, even when they don’t feel like it.
- Social Skills: Working in an environment with people of different ages and backgrounds helps them learn how to communicate and collaborate in the real world.
- Confidence: A job builds self-esteem and helps teenagers become more comfortable interacting with adults.
- Career Exploration: Jobs can open doors to new opportunities. One of my 18-year-old clients worked part-time doing social media for an engineering company. Not only did it give him practical experience, but the company is now sponsoring him through university!
Is Your Teen Missing Out?
In a world where academic achievement is so heavily emphasised, it can be easy to overlook the benefits of a Saturday job. But working while studying helps teenagers develop important skills they won’t learn in the classroom.
If your teen has the time and energy, encouraging them to get a part-time job could be one of the best things you do for their future. It’s an opportunity to teach them responsibility, give them a sense of independence, and maybe even spark an interest in a future career path.
So, before you say no to the idea of a job, consider the benefits. Your teen might thank you for it later.
