Is it fair that part-time jobs are hard to find for teens?

With summer approaching and school almost ending, teens are searching endlessly for job opportunities. Teens are often turned away from jobs because of their lack of experience or due to their availability. Retail is one of the best places to get your first job and although companies like Forever21, Foot Locker or Modells hire high school students part-time, there is still competition. Companies tend to gear more towards college students, due to flexible schedules and/or previous work experience. According to CNN, “just 26% of teens ages 16-19 had a job in 2011, down from 45% on 2000.”

These factors can often affect teens personal struggles as well. Many teens can face situations where they must pay rent or bills or help their parents. Teen pregnancy is also a huge factor. Parents struggle to find a part-time job, go to school and raise a child. Students also can face homelessness and are finding a job to save up for a better living situation. Jay, a student at Forsyth Satellite Academy said “It was really hard for me to find a job, managers were worried about my availability since im still a high school student, and on top of that, I had no actual working experience.” Students should be given equal amount of opportunities as adults. Employers never know the situation that students go through.