Amitai Etzioni argues that teenagers should prioritize their academics and education over working at fast food restaurants like McDonald’s. He supports his argument with several studies, including one conducted by Ivan Charper and Bryan Shore Fraser in 1984. The study found that teenagers often neglect skill development in favor of completing work hours and earning money. A.V.
Harrell and P. W. Wirtz conducted a study in 1980 which discovered that the unemployment rate four years later was only half for students who worked at least 25 hours per week compared to those who didn’t work, as stated by Axelrod and Cooper (281). Nevertheless, Etzioni countered this by suggesting that many part-time working students either become unemployed or end up in low-skilled jobs. Axelrod and Cooper (282) support this claim by citing statistics showing that 58 percent of seniors admitted that their jobs negatively affected their school work.
These studies provide a strong argument, but they do not address the circumstances that force certain teenagers to work at fast food restaurants. In this essay, I will evaluate the logic of Etzioni’s argument. While his logic is appropriate and convincing, there are missing points in his arguments. Many circumstances can force teenagers to work at fast food restaurants, such as “gaining experience” required by many job applications, family financial situations, and difficulty finding other employment opportunities.
Many places refuse to hire teenagers for certain positions, such as cashier, solely due to their lack of experience. However, it is unfair and unreasonable to deny them opportunities to gain necessary experience and work steady hours. Companies like Wal-Mart, BJ’s, Best Buy, and Shaws should provide these teens with a chance to develop their skills! It’s unfortunate that they are often turned away because of their inexperience.
Many teenagers relocate frequently and find employment at fast food restaurants due to a lack of job opportunities caused by their limited experience. From my own observations, it appears that financial difficulties within their families frequently push them into these positions. Teenagers feel a sense of duty to help their families adapt to new locations, which explains why they are motivated to work at such establishments.
Teenagers prioritize their responsibilities towards their families above everything else. Only those who have personally faced similar situations can truly comprehend the emotions that arise from witnessing their families suffer financially or being forced to survive on just one meal per day. To them, statistics hold no value as they fail to portray the real motivation behind their employment. Such job opportunities enable teenagers to work and generate income that is crucial for supporting their families.
Etzioni’s generalization about teenagers living freely at home is unfair. While it is true that some high school kids have a significant amount of money, we should recognize that there are also teens who use their income to contribute to household expenses and purchase necessary items for school.
Teenagers can easily find employment at places like McDonald’s even without previous experience, and then use this experience to work at other establishments like Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Shaws, and more. I share the essay’s main idea that teenagers often fail to appreciate the importance of education while working in such jobs. Nevertheless, the extent to which this occurs also relies on factors such as the work environment, their comprehension of their future prospects, and their capability to acknowledge their own potential.
Etzioni suggests finding a common agreement between schools and workplaces regarding students’ working hours. However, this idea is similar to comprehending the Pythagorean theorem without knowledge of how to open a bank account or apply for a student loan, as schools do not involve themselves in these matters. In my opinion, I believe that teenagers should have the opportunity to work at fast food establishments such as McDonald’s.
It is suggested that major retail chains such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and Shaws should consider increasing their teenage workforce. This will allow young individuals to start their career in entry-level positions and progress towards managerial roles, teaching them the importance of diligence and determination for earning respect and advancing within a company. This approach contrasts with Etzioni’s suggestion that teenagers should only work in fast-food establishments. By working at stores like Best Buy or Wal-Mart, teens can aim to become Sales Associates, Sales Managers, or Store Managers instead of being limited to shift manager positions.
According to Etzioni, in an informal survey published in the most recent Walt Whitman yearbook, 58 percent of seniors acknowledged that their jobs interfere with their school work (Axelrod and Cooper 282). The reason behind this situation is due to parents not paying attention to their child’s work ethic, refusing to buy them affordable things they want, and behaving badly in front of them. This provokes teens to take their own path of making and earning money as a main priority. Additionally, the friends that teenagers hang around with also play a role.
Sometimes, having a high social status among friends is ultimately what matters. When parents deny their children the latest iPhone or car, it forces them to consider working to earn money and purchase desired items. Etzioni’s argument possesses both strengths and weaknesses. The support he offers is fitting, convincing, and coherent. Nonetheless, a notable weakness of his argument is its incompleteness in failing to anticipate objections from various readers. In summary, I partially agree with Mr. Etzioni’s essay while also disagreeing on certain aspects.
Teenagers may face challenges when it comes to balancing school and fast food jobs. On one hand, these jobs can interfere with their involvement in school. On the other hand, fast food jobs provide valuable skills and teach time management. It is possible for working students to become disadvantaged academically, but maintaining good grades can increase their chances of finding new job opportunities or getting accepted into higher education institutions. Ultimately, having a job can help teenagers develop responsible money habits even through the mistakes they may make.
The source cited is a book called “The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing” by Axelrod, Rise B. and Charles R. Cooper. It is in its 9th edition and was published in 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin’s. The format is print.
