Why High School Jobs Should Not Be Raised

Imagine not having a job and not being able to help support one’s family. Think about not having the opportunity to go to the final football game because there is no transportation. The Mississippi legislature is considering a bill that will raise the age requirement for obtaining a drivers license to seventeen, and I strongly disagree with this proposed bill. I believe that by raising the age requirement, the government is restricting teenagers and students in several different ways. A majority of teenagers today have after-school jobs. Flipping burgers, bagging candy, and mowing lawns are some of the many ways that teens can acquire the money needed to pay to go on school trips or help with household bills. Whatever the reason, students cannot just ride their bikes to work. Students need to be able to drive themselves to their jobs. I was excepted into an honor band a year ago that required money I didn’t have. I got a job at my church, and if I had not been able to drive myself to the job, I would not have had the money to attend this significant learning experience. If the state decides to raise the age restriction on drivers licenses, a large percentage of teens …show more content…
Many students are involved in one or more extracurricular activities at school. A majority of these activities happen outside of school, including after-school practices and competitions. Most parents have jobs that do not give any leeway time to drive children to and from events, so students need to be able to drive themselves. Making students wait to get a drivers license effects their ability to participate in important activities. Extracurricular activities keep teenagers in school and offer college opportunities. Without the ability to drive, a lot of students would not participate, decreasing their chances of staying in school and going to