3 answers
Annabelle
Student
Belmont, New Hampshire
1
Question
Asked
947 views
Why are teens so unwilling to work?
Not just in the workforce, however I'm a teacher aide and I see it all the time where kids just outright don't want to do anything. Not for the class their in anyways lol.
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3 answers
Gurpreet Lally
CareerVillage.org TeamSr. Community Manager at CareerVillage
86
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Gurpreet’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
Hey Annabelle,
This is an interesting question, and I would like to share a different opinion.
1. You mentioned that students seem unwilling to work in the workforce. While I understand that sentiment, I also want to point out that at the end of the day, students are still teenagers. They are young and will have decades of work ahead of them. I believe that they should take this time to be kids and have fun instead of working, especially if they don't have to.
2. In terms of not wanting to "work" at school, I think there are lots of factors that play a role in this. These include things like dysfunctional home life, learning disabilities, difficulty understanding the material being taught, and the fact that current events are terrifying. With the cost of living rising, teens can feel the financial and psychological pressure being put on their families which can also lead to difficulty focusing.
3. There is a well-documented mental health crisis happening with teens. A once-in-a-century global pandemic disrupted three of the most formative years of their lives. These two things combined are enough to distract anyone.
I think all of these things should be factored into this discussion. They are juggling so many factors and uncertainties that of course, it's difficult to work. I have so much respect for kids/teens today and their willingness to keep going when it feels like things are falling apart around them.
This is an interesting question, and I would like to share a different opinion.
1. You mentioned that students seem unwilling to work in the workforce. While I understand that sentiment, I also want to point out that at the end of the day, students are still teenagers. They are young and will have decades of work ahead of them. I believe that they should take this time to be kids and have fun instead of working, especially if they don't have to.
2. In terms of not wanting to "work" at school, I think there are lots of factors that play a role in this. These include things like dysfunctional home life, learning disabilities, difficulty understanding the material being taught, and the fact that current events are terrifying. With the cost of living rising, teens can feel the financial and psychological pressure being put on their families which can also lead to difficulty focusing.
3. There is a well-documented mental health crisis happening with teens. A once-in-a-century global pandemic disrupted three of the most formative years of their lives. These two things combined are enough to distract anyone.
I think all of these things should be factored into this discussion. They are juggling so many factors and uncertainties that of course, it's difficult to work. I have so much respect for kids/teens today and their willingness to keep going when it feels like things are falling apart around them.
Jason Ho
Product Management
6
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hard to say as it's case by case, but it could be an influence of social media or just an outcome of a privilege background. Also the current economic environment especially for tech workers, where the children's parents are in tech may be impacted. The latter will bring a level of negativity which the kids can probably feel.
Marcelius Levites Saint-Juste Israelities
Leading All
84
Answers
Columbus, Ohio
Updated
Marcelius Levites’s Answer
Hi Annabelle, a more direct answer would be: The responsibility begins with parents and how they raise their children. Teaching them the fundamentals of success is essential. However, teachers should also reinforce hard work and opportunities for success in the classroom.
I agree. Parents (Adults) are the key to the initial programming needed to instill learning. It seems not as much pressure is being placed on children to learn anymore. When I was growing up, if my mother said jump- my first response would be "how high"!
Children today would look at you like you were crazy. It starts at home but the training must continue once they get to school. If you are consistently firm with a child, I believe they will learn(I did). If you are back and forth with that child, then you will definitely not inspire them to learn. There will always be that one child that will not fit the mold no matter what you do.
Tania Forbes
