Working at McDonald’s: A beneficial work experience for America’s youth
The employment of high school students has been a widely discussed topic. This particular issue gives rise to many debates on the positive and negative effects of teen employment. Amitai Etzioni, author of “Working at McDonald’s,” details his stance on this particular issue. The author attempts to explain the disadvantages he feels will have detrimental effects on the youth of America. I, however, disagree with the idea that employed teenagers will only or mainly experience the negative effects of employment. Despite Etzioni’s adamant claim that teens are better off unemployed, employed teens will enjoy more real life work experiences and skills that they will be able …show more content…
He writes,”….these jobs undermine school attendance and involvement, impart few skills that will be useful in later life, and simultaneously skew the values of teen-agers- specifically their ideas about the worth of a dollar” (Etzioni 3). I would assume that teens who are employed have a better sense “about the worth of a dollar” (Etzioni 3) than teenagers who are not employed. Understanding the value of money is especially beneficial to teens because it gets them started with a lesson in financial management. These “few skills” Etzioni is referring to are invaluable skills. Where else can a teen get real life lessons of the work place, finances, the art of organization, etc. No matter the type of job, every teen can benefit from an early introduction of the work place. I disagree with his belief that teen employment ultimately results in the decline of academic performance. His statement cannot be held as true for every teenager who is employed. In fact, working can give a teen the opportunity to hone one’s organizational skills that can be applied at home or in school. Time management is one of the “few skills” a teen can apply when prioritizing different responsibilities. High school students who are employed with fast food and other types of work industries are not all doomed to outlive Etzioni’s …show more content…
He writes,” But large amounts seem to flow to pay for an early introduction into the most trite aspects of American consumerism: flimsy punk clothes, trinkets, and whatever else is the last fast-moving teen craze” (252 Etzioni)). Although he did mention that not all teenagers use the money just for consumer goods, he appears to be convinced that a majority of teens use the money on frivolous things. Paragraph eighteen only revealed his own assumptions regarding teenagers getting ahead start in fueling “American consumerism” which he clearly sees as a negative. Even if the employed teen is a part of the “fast moving teen craze,” what harm will it have on their personal and academic lives? To view consumerism as more negative in regards to teen employment is a ridiculous notion. An employed teen’s possible increase in the desire for consumer goods does not determine the quality of people they will grow up to be. Therefore, the so called dangers of materialism do not have any real bearing on an employed teen’s work and school
The employment of high school students has been a widely discussed topic. This particular issue gives rise to many debates on the positive and negative effects of teen employment. Amitai Etzioni, author of “Working at McDonald’s,” details his stance on this particular issue. The author attempts to explain the disadvantages he feels will have detrimental effects on the youth of America. I, however, disagree with the idea that employed teenagers will only or mainly experience the negative effects of employment. Despite Etzioni’s adamant claim that teens are better off unemployed, employed teens will enjoy more real life work experiences and skills that they will be able …show more content…
He writes,”….these jobs undermine school attendance and involvement, impart few skills that will be useful in later life, and simultaneously skew the values of teen-agers- specifically their ideas about the worth of a dollar” (Etzioni 3). I would assume that teens who are employed have a better sense “about the worth of a dollar” (Etzioni 3) than teenagers who are not employed. Understanding the value of money is especially beneficial to teens because it gets them started with a lesson in financial management. These “few skills” Etzioni is referring to are invaluable skills. Where else can a teen get real life lessons of the work place, finances, the art of organization, etc. No matter the type of job, every teen can benefit from an early introduction of the work place. I disagree with his belief that teen employment ultimately results in the decline of academic performance. His statement cannot be held as true for every teenager who is employed. In fact, working can give a teen the opportunity to hone one’s organizational skills that can be applied at home or in school. Time management is one of the “few skills” a teen can apply when prioritizing different responsibilities. High school students who are employed with fast food and other types of work industries are not all doomed to outlive Etzioni’s …show more content…
He writes,” But large amounts seem to flow to pay for an early introduction into the most trite aspects of American consumerism: flimsy punk clothes, trinkets, and whatever else is the last fast-moving teen craze” (252 Etzioni)). Although he did mention that not all teenagers use the money just for consumer goods, he appears to be convinced that a majority of teens use the money on frivolous things. Paragraph eighteen only revealed his own assumptions regarding teenagers getting ahead start in fueling “American consumerism” which he clearly sees as a negative. Even if the employed teen is a part of the “fast moving teen craze,” what harm will it have on their personal and academic lives? To view consumerism as more negative in regards to teen employment is a ridiculous notion. An employed teen’s possible increase in the desire for consumer goods does not determine the quality of people they will grow up to be. Therefore, the so called dangers of materialism do not have any real bearing on an employed teen’s work and school