Most kids enjoy having money and spending money on things they probably don’t need, which means they they need jobs if their parents don’t give them handouts or an allowance. If you think of any fast food place—McDonald’s, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell—where many teens frequent, what age do you think you need to be to work there?

You have to be at least 16 years old to work at any one of those popular places.

However, I have been working since I turned 15 and believe the age requirement for more jobs should be 14–15 rather than 16 because I have learned a lot, made new friends, and have been working on my social anxiety while talking to customers. Jobs can help so many other kids in this way as well.

If you decide you want to work for money, you probably don’t want to wait until you’re at least 16 to work and gain that money. By then, you will be starting to drive and wanting to go do fun activities with friends. But, how are you supposed to go out and do fun things without any money?

If job age requirements were lower, kids would learn how to handle money better and save for the future (I know this is not always true and it’s different for everyone, but the thought behind it is valid).

I can understand if parents do not think it is safe for kids to work (especially at night) because they are too young. The world is not always safe, and the job you get cannot assure you that something bad won’t happen.

You can always take safety precautions and go to a store or use Amazon to purchase a small taser or small containers of pepper spray to carry on your person when your safety is of concern.

Since I work in Valley Station, which isn’t always perfectly safe, I do have a small taser I keep in my purse that I bring to work every time I go in or when I walk outside to take out the trash at night.

All of my coworkers are girls, and when we take out the trash or have to go outside at all, we have a buddy system.

I think, at the very least, jobs that have lower age requirements should take safety measures to keep these younger employees safe.