For most adults, getting a job you enjoy is something to celebrate. After all, we need a job to make money to pay bills, right? Right. But, right now on Twitter there’s a fierce debate about whether or not encouraging our kids to work at a young age is a good thing or a bad thing.
A proud dad named Chris Crawford posted a couple pictures of his 14-year-old son on Facebook. His intention was to brag a little bit about his son the way a proud parent does. He wrote about his son’s part time job at Burger King and mentioned that his son is trying to save up for a car. He explained, “Not only does he work every day he can including weekends when most kids are out enjoying their summer he goes in early and stays late almost every time he works, he loves every minute of it. Making his own money, saving for a car, being responsible in his decisions, becoming a respectable young man!!! I couldn’t be more proud of him!”
While Crawford is proud of his son for working hard and saving his money, other people are outraged that a parent is encouraging his son to work instead of enjoying his childhood. One Twitter user shared the post along with her opinion on it. She wrote, “god this is depressing.”
god this is depressing pic.twitter.com/d3B5lArxQC
— c a i t (@kittynouveau) June 9, 2021
This Twitter user is far from the only one to see a problem with a 14-year-old working “every day he can.” Many people commented on the tweet pointing out problems they see for the boy now and in the future.
He’s definitely A. Avoiding home life by working 24/7B. Going to over work himself to the point that he’ll be jaded to actual hard work later in life when it should countC. Going to have difficulties learning moderation, because his extremism is rewardedD. all of the above
— pfizer, wbu (@abientotdev) June 10, 2021
they straight up said like “proud of my little wageslave!! 🥰”
— 💜 Astro, CEO of Catgirl Gaming 💜 (@astr0anch0vy) June 9, 2021
It is indeed. I’m sorry but a kid choosing work over summer is an indicative of something dark happening somewhere. And for all those “muh but children must know how life works”: you’re actively supporting exploitation and child labor.
— José Miguel (@josem11200) June 11, 2021
So fun fact, this type of stuff causes psychological damage in adult life. As it turns out when kids don’t get their full childhood to be children they struggle to be adults in adulthood
— Purple Panda (@purplepanda1310) June 10, 2021
The dad also said my kid has a Part Time job at Burger King.. then proceeds to say he works every day and weekends and goes in early and stays late.. that’s not really part time bruh.. imagine being ok with your child being enslaved to the system oof 😣
— JodiiFox (@JodiiFox1) June 12, 2021
Others compared this 14-year-old’s childhood to their own childhood.
It’s possible to do both. This kid seems a bit extreme but I worked 20 hrs/week in high school and still participated in the normal school stuff. Everyone charts their own path. Some kids have no choice because their parents can’t afford to simply give them money.
— Lawrence (@SBinF) June 11, 2021
I worked fast food from 16 to 18 and hated every minute of it, not because it was work but because of how I was treated. I guarantee he wants to punch customers already. Plus, 14?! I wasn’t even legally allowed to work until 16!
— ℂ𝕒𝕡 𝕄𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕒𝕟 (@morganeris83) June 10, 2021
Some people stood up for the 14-year-old working and said that people saying this is a problem are the real problem.
Wow bro, wtf is up with this world. Success takes dedication and obtaining goals takes hard work. This kid will make it while those commenting won’t.
— Tony “The Bull” Spilotro (@tonyspilotroBTC) June 13, 2021
This post and most comments below are the reason 99% of the world (you) are broke AF.
— Mr ParaBULLic (@iLiquidatebots) June 13, 2021
Do you think 14 is too young to have a part time job? How old were you when you got your first job?