The current job market provides insufficient opportunities for teens, limiting valuable life experience, independence and essential skill growth developed through working a part-time job. This leaves teens underprepared for future careers.
In Marin County, many teens struggle to find part-time jobs because employers are increasingly reluctant to hire workers with limited experience. Additionally, a shrinking number of entry-level opportunities exacerbates the issue, leaving young people without ways to gain the crucial skills and growth needed for the future.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, across the U.S., teen jobs are almost half as common as in the past. The teen labor force participation rate has declined nationwide, dropping from 60 percent in 1979 to under 35 percent in 2024. This dramatic decrease in teen employment represents the disparities in the system and how teen employment is an issue that needs to be addressed.
In affluent areas especially, teens’ ability to find jobs is limited. Traditional entry-level jobs, such as fast-food, retail, etc., are more scarce in areas such as Marin. Additionally, many of these industries have been impacted by automation and the increase in minimum wage deters hiring teens. Marin’s economy caters to affluent adults with little room for casual part-time jobs for teens, adding another boundary to overcome to secure a part-time job.
Another aspect of the issue is that employers are reluctant to hire teens with limited experience. Many employers are inclined to pay more for experienced workers because they lack time to train inexperienced teens. Several entry-level jobs require skills and expertise that teens don’t yet have. Their lack of experience causes them to join an endless cycle of yearning for experience through working but being unable to because employers believe their time is more valuable than their money. This undermines their working ability and shows how the workforce is geared towards feeding the experienced and not giving teens the ability to gain needed skills.
Teen jobs are vital to child growth and development. Lessons learned from jobs are ones that teens carry throughout their lives and are the same skills that sprout into success. Teens learn how to balance work, school and personal life, as well as skills such as teamwork and professionalism.
On the contrary, some feel that due to their affluence, working is unnecessary. Many teens don’t recognize the benefit of working beyond financial gain. Additionally, academics are prominent in teens’ lives; school and extracurricular activities come first for some. An after-school job does not cross their mind and seems would only stress them out rather than gain skills. Teens need to recognize the value of a high school job and forget that they might not need the money. Growing these skills early prepares students to succeed in the real world.
“I know a job is a good experience, but I don’t really need one. My parents cover everything. It’s a harsh reality because I know some kids have to work to help their parents out, but it doesn’t feel worth it to me,” sophomore Mateo Ferst said, highlighting Marin teens’ awareness of the situation and their blindness to incentives to work when pay is not a priority.
There should be a push to create awareness about the importance of jobs for teens and a culture of bringing back the low-tier, entry-level jobs needed for teens to learn valuable skills. Reliance on adult work will not be sustainable, and the younger generation needs to be allowed to gain experience. A part-time job needs to be a norm for teenagers, as working just a few hours a week is incredibly beneficial and creates experience, making the transition from school to office or other jobs significantly smoother.
“Now that I think about it, I totally feel like kids should get jobs if they can. I mean, the experience seems pretty valuable, and kids in Marin especially should not be slacking off because of where we live,” Ferst said.
