Another way to look at it is that they are being given the choice between:
Finishing school, which they may not enjoy, but will set them up to be at least somewhat employable in the future. And introduces the possibility of further education to become even more employable.
Getting paid minimum wage, which sounds pretty good when you are living with your parents and aren’t paying for food or rent. But of course is incredibly unstable work and cannot be relied upon to cover living expenses once they’re an adult.
You aren’t wrong by any means. It sucks all around, but at least they’re being given the chance to contribute in some small way even if it isn’t ideal. However, I highly doubt any employer they’ll work for will treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve as human beings regardless of their age or circumstances.
What exactly is the silver lining? They’re being given an option which feels like a shortcut, but will ultimately harm their future opportunities. And this is at a point when their brain development and life experience is insufficient for them to make a rational decision. Basically the economic realities may coerce them into mortgaging their chances of future success for a quick buck.
Plus, they aren’t “contributing” to anything except wage suppression. Teenagers are less sensitive to being paid a living wage. This was done by Ontario’s Conservative government as a way to appease the sort of business owner who says “nobody wants to work anymore” while refusing to pay more than starvation wages.
I’m thinking about the sorts of folks that drop out of high school. Better for them to be able to get work experience early on rather than have to leech off their parents for a few years while not being able (or willing) to give anything back.
I’m not saying the situation is ideal by any means, certainly. In an ideal world, every kid would be able to get an awesome education and become amazing contributors to society. We don’t live in that world. We live in a world where people are too poor to afford to drive their kids to school, to afford the lunches they’re being forced to pay for their kids at that school, to afford the supplies they need, etc etc.
If our lawmakers aren’t going to fix larger societal problems, at least these kids can try to make it by, rather than simply being a drain. And yes, I know this law passing is only making things harder to fix in the long run, but at least the kids are allowed to do something that might help ‘em stay off the street or off drugs. Yes, companies are going to exploit them for cheap labor… like they do adults. The issue isn’t just that kids are working, the issue is also that companies are allowed to exploit anyone, regardless of age. That’s a larger issue that will take a lot more effort to fix.
So in the meantime, let the kids at least try if their means prevent a better life otherwise.
Another way to look at it is that they are being given the choice between:
You aren’t wrong by any means. It sucks all around, but at least they’re being given the chance to contribute in some small way even if it isn’t ideal. However, I highly doubt any employer they’ll work for will treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve as human beings regardless of their age or circumstances.
Still, silver linings and all.
What exactly is the silver lining? They’re being given an option which feels like a shortcut, but will ultimately harm their future opportunities. And this is at a point when their brain development and life experience is insufficient for them to make a rational decision. Basically the economic realities may coerce them into mortgaging their chances of future success for a quick buck.
Plus, they aren’t “contributing” to anything except wage suppression. Teenagers are less sensitive to being paid a living wage. This was done by Ontario’s Conservative government as a way to appease the sort of business owner who says “nobody wants to work anymore” while refusing to pay more than starvation wages.
I’m thinking about the sorts of folks that drop out of high school. Better for them to be able to get work experience early on rather than have to leech off their parents for a few years while not being able (or willing) to give anything back.
I’m not saying the situation is ideal by any means, certainly. In an ideal world, every kid would be able to get an awesome education and become amazing contributors to society. We don’t live in that world. We live in a world where people are too poor to afford to drive their kids to school, to afford the lunches they’re being forced to pay for their kids at that school, to afford the supplies they need, etc etc.
If our lawmakers aren’t going to fix larger societal problems, at least these kids can try to make it by, rather than simply being a drain. And yes, I know this law passing is only making things harder to fix in the long run, but at least the kids are allowed to do something that might help ‘em stay off the street or off drugs. Yes, companies are going to exploit them for cheap labor… like they do adults. The issue isn’t just that kids are working, the issue is also that companies are allowed to exploit anyone, regardless of age. That’s a larger issue that will take a lot more effort to fix.
So in the meantime, let the kids at least try if their means prevent a better life otherwise.