The work permit age should be lowered : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

The legal age for a job in North Carolina with a work permit is 16. I believe an adolescent 14 and older should have the ability to obtain a job. There are more and more people losing jobs daily, and employment for a teen in the household would add to the income for the family.

Many people say that 14-year-olds are not responsible, or won’t take a job seriously, but some children have basically raised themselves and siblings by this age. These children have responsibility, time-management skills, and most likely need the funds to support themselves and other family members.
Another argument people may make against lowering the age for a work permit is inexperience. As a child, I was always told that everyone starts small somewhere to receive a greater reward in the end. A job provides experience and the tools to be a productive citizen. It helps youth to become part of a constructive labor force and to stay out of any trouble and danger that may come their way.

Adreanne Weaks
Greensboro

The writer is a student at Dudley High School.

destinys mother in law

February 3, 2012 - 8:35 am EST

I began my work career delivering the morning paper at age 9, started washing dishes at age 14, and have continued working since. I agree with the letter writer. Developing work habits can begin before age 16. Indeed, the many social problems that surface in middle school may come about because youth does not fully understand how things work in this world. For those families that see the value in after school work and summer jobs, I would advocate for lowering the age. And how about paper routes again?

thinkingman

February 3, 2012 - 8:45 am EST

I don't see a problem with a 14 year old kid working a summer job or running a paper route. I do see a problem with the premise that the child may become partially responsible for supporting his household income. The pressure to do so would differentially fall on lower-income households and would either push that child out of school or take time and energy away from school-related activities. So instead of excelling academically they'll be working extra hours to help put food on the table. In the short term they may help their family but in the long term they may find themselves stuck with a GED or a high-school dropout and limited future employment opportunities. And since this would affect low-income households more than middle and upper class households, you'd have a perpetual cycle.

Instead of taking kids out of school to go to work, fix the schools and guarantee the next generation has it better than we do. If their parents need help in the meantime, there are other solutions we should be considering first.

nctruth

February 3, 2012 - 10:07 am EST

We need all poor children working in America. More work = less school. Dumb kids make good bullet catchers in our next unfunded GOP war with Iran.

Bosco

February 3, 2012 - 2:38 pm EST

Last I looked your boy Obie was Commander In Chief

dubya

February 3, 2012 - 10:09 am EST

Adreanne, are you suggesting you know what's best for your children instead of politicians? hmmm.

February 3, 2012 - 10:21 am EST

I would hope that a student at Dudley High School does not have any 14 year old children. My guess is she's referring to herself.

gatecitycanes

February 3, 2012 - 1:59 pm EST

There shouldn't be any age restrictions. Go read about the industrial revolution. Child labor helped make this country great and kept rambucuous kids off the street while putting a few cents in their pockets. Leave it up to job creators who to hire and keep Washington out of it.

February 3, 2012 - 2:39 pm EST

Will you work for less than minimum wage?

Dogwood

February 3, 2012 - 4:36 pm EST

When did they change the child labor laws in North Carolina? My son recieved his work permit at 15 just a few years ago. He was a part-time YMCA life-guard, he was a weight training assistant at the old Jungle Jim's at the Lawndale Shopping Center and he worked construction demolishing dilapidated houses in east Greensboro. He helped pay his way through college with his life guard and weight training skills.
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