Moderation key to work, school balance
Students are always working. Whether it be on school work, extracurriculars, or sports, a day’s schedule entails an 8:12 to 3:33 mandatory clock-in. But as soon as the bell rings, many students find themselves checking into their next shift, working overtime because of part-time jobs. According to Walden University, nearly 30% of high school students are employed for at least a portion of the school year; but is this a good thing?
Many studies have been done regarding the topic, and the answers have been somewhat inconclusive. It isn’t a simple yes or no answer, but rather a number of reasons both in favor and against employment during high school. These studies touch on social aspects, academic performance, behavior, and more, all coming up with different responses.
Some of the most commonly touted benefits to early job experience include increased financial awareness and responsibility. Whether working out of necessity or not, anyone can learn these skills from a high school job and gain maturity. According to College Board, students who work often show better time management skills compared to their unemployed peers. Although it may be difficult to have so many responsibilities, employment apparently prepares students for life after high school and what their day to day life might look like depending on the path they take.
In addition to this, a study run by Kathryn Monahan, a University of Washington social development researcher, showed that part-time jobs can improve academic performance and good behavior. Since students are gaining a newfound sense of responsibility from having a job, their behavior will likely reflect that responsibility. However, these various positives can be countered by the negatives.
Working negatively impacts social life. High school workers stress over whether they will have time for their other responsibilities or will end up doing a juggling act to deal with everyday tasks. This puts a major damper on any activities beyond work or homework. Students can even struggle finding time to sleep.
Sleep deprivation plays havoc with adolescent mindset. Without a good sense of time management, this will likely lead to loss of sleep and fatigue the following day. But, for this same reason, being employed as an adolescent helps the psyche; a job teaches students time management, which assists them in other aspects of their lives.
Monohan’s study came to the conclusion that working as a teen is fine, as long as it’s restricted to fewer than 20 hours a week. The study concluded that sophomores and juniors of all backgrounds showed that, when working less than 20 hours a week, students' academic performance did not decrease. Yet when working more than 20 hours, students’ academic performance dropped and resulted in less interest in their education.
So, is holding a job during high school a good idea? The answer is yes, to an extent. Having a job requires a fragile balancing game involving time, school, and friends, but teaches students life skills that will assist with whatever else life may entail beyond.
By Emma Toney
Oshkosh West Index Volume 119 Issue II
October 31 2022