Whatever Happened to the Summer Job?by Kori Rodley Irons | More from this Blogger 11 Jun 2007 12:38 PM I remember spending my summers doing all sorts of odd, summer jobs-picking beans and strawberries, cleaning houses, babysitting, hauling hay, working in restaurants-now kids seem to think they need to find a "real" job-or nothing at all. And, with all the restrictions and requirements, it has gotten tougher for teenagers and kids to find suitable work. I'm wondering whatever happened to the summer job experience for kids? As my teenagers consider finding a summer job-it seems more like a classic job search than how I remember stumbling into all sorts of summer work as a teen. They have to have resume's and do a more traditional search-filling out applications, finding out what the requirements and restrictions are, etc. I suppose that the fact that we live in a growing city and not the rural town where I grew up has something to do with it. But, I also think those great summer jobs-tailor made for kids and teenagers-are disappearing. I do not know if it is because of liability or competition or law changes, but things definitely do not seem the same as I recall. To be honest, I also think my kids are pickier. They don't see their friends getting jobs picking beans and babysitting, and they definitely want to make "real money"-so they are pickier about what they think constitutes a "real job." My dad offered to pay my son to come stay with them for a couple weeks and help clear brush and build fences-but my son thought that sounded like child abuse! Wearing long pants and working in the summer sun, who would do that sort of work willingly? I was excited thinking that he could experience just a taste of what I knew to be the classic summer teen job, but no way. Ah, times are changing... See Also: Summer and the Single Parent Job Fairs: Appropriate Attire for Teens Learn more about Kori Rodley Irons  Bio has been removed by administrator Relevantparenting tags User Comments  Mrs. Perez (100) 12 Jun 2007 05:24 AMHi Kory, I have to agree with you. My son 17 has been knocking on door and doors and all he seems to running into is "apply on line." Are you kidding me? Apply on line? Then what? Who's to say they even look at these applications? I remember when you had to go in and apply in person. Atleast this way you knew they had your application. So, after applying he waits 3 to 4 days and he calls the places for a reply or something. Know what he's gotten? "No, sorry son, we have not gotten your application." or "We'll look it over and call you in a few days." Weeks go by and nothing. Finally just this Friday CVS has called him back to let him know that they are doing a background check and they will call him this week for an interview. Can you believe this? Why do u suppose it's getting tuffer for our children to find jobs? It's not that there aren't any. So, then what? Community Tags job, summer, teens, work Discuss this article
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