16-year-old quits part-time job to get back at parents for spending his money on siblings, they ground him until he gets a new job, but he refuses: “They told me I should understand life isn’t equal”

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Jan 15, 2025 2:00 PM EST

Life isn't fair. Everyone knows that, and that being said, everyone is still entitled to feel displeased, disrespected, and upset about times when "life isn't fair" felt too close to home. Obviously life isn't fair, but does that mean we should just lie down and take mistreatment from someone? Even if it's family, we still have the power to walk away from bad situations. Unfortunately when we're still teenagers and dependent on our parents, it's not a simple situation to walk away from. But no matter what, parents should not be demanding their child get a job just for them to take it from them. If a teenager wants to get a job, it should be on their own volition and motivation, and the money should be theirs. 

In the story below, the protagonist is a teenager who's been working for years. He used to mow lawns, and do little side jobs in the neighborhood for extra cash. Now that he's old enough to get an official job, he has a part time job, but it isn't going so well. His parents have been taking money from him to use for themselves or even his siblings.

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  • 01

    AITA for quitting my part time job to stop my parents using my money on my siblings?

    $ ♡ M $ ♡ $ w $ w $ w $ "They called me selfish and entitled for not having a job" $ $ له له $ w a
    via @canvacreativestudio / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I (16m) started doing things to make money when I was 13. Babysitting, mowing lawns, running errands for neighbors, and stuff like that. Then I was able to help out at a friends parents store for a bit of extra cash. Then I was finally able to get a real part time job.
    via u/WinterLow740
  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 10454257152
    via Gemütlichkeit

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I can't believe parents would be so mean and cruel as to take hard earned money from their own kid. This 16-year-old probably works some horrible customer service job, and that money doesn't come easy. He probably doesn't earn a lot to begin with either. 

  • 04
    The thing is the money wasn't ever really mine. My parents are bad with money and they like to spoil my younger siblings (10f, 8m, 7m and 5f). So their money gets spent on them and then they freak because they don't have money for Christmas or their birthdays and they have put a lot
    via u/WinterLow740
  • 05
    of pressure on me to give it to them. Sometimes they stole it and when I confided in some other adults about it I was told that being under 18 meant there was nothing I could do except trying to talk it out.
    via u/WinterLow740
  • 06
    I did try. But talking to my parents is so frustrating and they didn't care about logic or how calm I am or how well I make my point. I rehearsed before talking to them and everything. They argued back each time that my siblings are younger and they don't deserve to be hurt because
    via u/WinterLow740
  • 07
    of my teenage attitude or my entitlement because I think I should be treated the same as them when I'm way older.
    via u/WinterLow740
  • 08
    For three years running they were taking money from me to spend on my siblings. Not just for their birthdays or Christmas but other times too. For no other reason than just because.
    via u/WinterLow740
  • 09
    I argued back a few times in frustration too but you know that never goes anywhere and a couple of weeks ago I quit my job and I told my parents I won't work again until I'm out of their house. They grounded me until yesterday and we fought about it yesterday. I'll be grounded in another week if I don't get my job
    via u/WinterLow740
  • 10
    back or get another one. They told me it was a selfish and stupid thing to do. They told me I should understand life isn't always equal and I'm expecting too much from them. AITA?
    via u/WinterLow740
  • 11
    Cheezburger Image 10454259456
    via Oleksandr Paltsev from Getty Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 12
    . ImAnNPCsoWhat • 11h ago NTA. Stand your ground. Study, learn a language, make new friends, delve into your hobbies. You're a kid so. act like one. No need to work especially since you get no benefits from doing. SO.
    via u/ImAnNPCsoWhat
  • 13
    the24hourlayover • 10h ago Tell them that life isn't equal and that they are expecting too much from you. They are failing at adulting and parenting. NTA
    via u/the24hourlayover
  • 14
    Vegetable Busine... • 10h ago Your parents are finacially and physically responsible for you until you are 18. Do not give them any of your money. This only allows them to be more irresponsible since you will become their new ATM.
    via u/Vegetable Busine

  • The commenters are right – he needs to stand his ground against his parents. 

  • 15
    Do not use a bank to keep your money as your parents are allowed to access it. Use the bank to cash your checks. Keep your money in cash, and squirrel it away. I kept mine in an Altoids tin in a hole I made in the underside of my box spring.
    via u/Vegetable Busine
  • 16
    Then I moved it to a loose floor board in our garden shed. Your going to need some running money at 18......
    via u/Vegetable Busine
  • 17
    NobaedyUnoe •11h ago Parents cannot use their minor children as an income stream. NTA
    via u/NobaedyUnoe
  • 18
    Mother_Search33... • 10h ago Tell them if they don't stop their sh, you will be making a call to CPS and reporting them for forcing you to work to support them and their children.
    via u/Mother_Search33
  • 19
    If you do get another job, ask to be paid in cash and ask the friend who whose parents gave you the job to keep the money for you in safekeeping. Don't give your parents one black dime NTAH
    via u/Mother_Search33
  • 20
    RJack151 10h ago NTA. Tell them that selfish is taking someone's money and using it on everyone but them. And not saving any of it for the person the earned it. And in some states, they can be charged with theft
    via u/RJack151
  • 21
    because they are required to save a percentage of it BY LAW.
    via u/RJack151
  • 22
    Lizardgirl25 ⚫10h ago NTA countries that a child can't have their own personal banking account are f ed up on so many levels and yes I mean the USA too. Because the adult co-signer can just go in and just empty the kids money anytime they feel like it.
    via u/Lizardgirl25
  • 23
    Rye_One_ 10h ago NTA. You need to speak to a responsible adult about this situation. Is there a guidance counsellor at school you can speak to?
    via u/Rye_One_
  • 24
    smileycat007 • 10h ago I think Chase Bank allows 17-year-olds to open an account without their parents' cosigning. Look into that. It doesn't help you immediately, but you don't have long to go.
    via u/smileycat007

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