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One teen felt like it was time to focus on preparing for college, so she decided that she wanted to quit her jobs as a babysitter and barista. Instead, she wanted to volunteer at her local library to give her some insight into studying library science. Her grandparents had an educational trust fund for her, so she didn't have to worry about saving money for her future degree.
However, her parents protested as they felt she was being shortsighted. She claimed that she would be fine to continue working if they didn't make her pay rent, and reasoned that her older siblings had never had to work or financially contribute to the household, so she shouldn't either. She wondered if she was being unreasonable.
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Am I wrong for quitting my job because my parents expect me to pay rent and stuff?
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15-year-old quits barista and babysitting jobs to focus on volunteering for college, parents protest she won't pay rent any more: 'Neither my brother or sister has ever contributed'
A teenage job is a rite of passage, but it shouldn't be needed to pay the bills.
While there are minors out there who contribute to their family's finances or even act as the breadwinners, it is a responsibility that, technically speaking, parents have an obligation to shelter them from before adulthood. Learning how to manage money from a young age can indeed give a young person a head start, but there are ways to do that that don't involve them contributing to the household financially. It can be a delicate topic.
Having a job can be great as a teen to encourage extra independence, give some work experience, and save a little money. Still, there are other priorities to be had in these vital years as well. Sometimes, it is good to think about the other stuff for a while and let professional matters take a back burner. Ultimately, it should be the teenager's choice.
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