Let young work from age of 13
THE next generation of youth are growing up in a world of ever increasing prices so they are beginning not to be able to afford certain products that catch their eyes.
THE next generation of youth are growing up in a world of ever increasing prices so they are beginning not to be able to afford certain products that catch their eyes.
At the moment the law states that under 16s cannot work for over 14 hours a week and only earn a minimal amount.
Places for paper rounds for local newspaper retailers and other jobs around are even fewer, limiting the amount of opportunities for hard working youths.
Most under 16s agree that they don't get enough chances to have a worthwhile job for a reasonable salary and that this needs to change.
The government must understand that if someone wants to work then they should be allowed, regardless of age. If they don't
want to work then they don't have to be forced into it. The government will find that if they allow work to younger people there will be more than they think applying.
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Working isn't just about earning money either. It will give younger teens an understanding of the working world and will gain many life skills from their experiences for the future.
We can also argue that at the age of 13, young people are allowed to decide where they live if their parents have divorced.
They can also be left in the house by themselves and babysit for a younger person legally. Why give these responsibilities and
then not give us others?
It's time that the government started to think about the younger generation and the opportunities they deserve in life.
I think that the government should reconsider the legal age for young people to be employed to be reduced to 13. They are given responsibilities for paper rounds, temporary sibling care and Explore Card privileges, so I think that if they are ready for those responsibilities then they should also be given the option to work in a job which they can earn a decent amount of money and experience from.
Stephen Reeve
Kirkley High School
