No Work Experiance

Teenagers. The stage between childhood and adulthood that makes people cringe at the thought of it. It's in this stage you're encouraged to get a job and learn some true life skills. Gives you a sense of entitlement. However, in these days in order to get a job you need "work experience" but if it's a first time job, how can you get a job? Many teenagers suffer with this conflict. Also with Child Labor Laws taking everything to insane measures many business's find it easier to hire young adults rather than teenagers. With many college applications wanting the most experienced people it raises problems for future teenagers. 

In recent years the teenage employment rate has gone down significantly. According to US News , 1.7 million teenage jobs have been lost. Teenagers compete with college students, previously unemployed adults, and retirees. There has been a 40% decline in employment rates among 16-19 year old. Lowest it's been since WW2. Those teens who are college bound are more likely to get a job rather than high school dropouts, being a 5% chance. Why are so many teens getting shut out? Well Child Labour Laws may be a part. Don't get me wrong, children need to be protected at work but should it come to the point where employers will only hire an adult because it's easier? In California, there's a law that limits a child's work hours so they can "be safer" but an adult can work the same job and be just fine. Who will an employer hire? The adult of course since they can work more hours. 

Also many employers will hire an adult rather than a teen due to work experience. How can a teen get work experience if the teen can't get hired? My friend Levi, he's been trying to find a job for months. He's a pastors kid been homeschooled, what some employers may look for right? Not really. He's applied everywhere. He applied for a job at a local pizza place. He went in every so often to check up on his application, he was doing everything right. Not even a few weeks later the pizza place had a new employee that is probably about 20. I'm making assumptions so this may not be right but I imagine this could be due to work experience. 

I am one of those few lucky teens with a job. However, my boss hates some of the laws our state has. I work a western wear store where I sell boots and shirts and whatever. It's a small business (see pervious blog for more rants) and it's not very strenuous work to be honest with you. I think the most strenuous thing is having to move a saddle stand once in a while. But in California it's illegal to not have a 30 minute lunch and two 10 minute breaks. And my boss hates the 10 minute break rule. No she doesn't over work me, I'm
not getting hurt in anyway, I still get lunch and whatever. I basically don't even use my breaks because I don't want to. I'm not saying we need to get rid of all labour laws and have 12 year olds work in saw mills. I'm saying tone it down, then maybe some more teens will have the opportunity to get a job.