I’m a middle class Aussie mum and I refuse to let my 15-year-old teen son have a job – but everyone thinks I’m in the wrong
A mother has sparked a heated argument after revealing why she ‘refuses’ to let her teenage son get a job.
Esther, from Queensland, said her family was “comfortably middle class” and they didn’t need the extra support of their children’s income to survive.
So when her 15-year-old son asked her if he could apply, she was shocked.
“My son is at the age where everyone gets a job — all his friends have one,” she shared. “But I didn’t want him to work yet. He’ll have a job all his life – why start now?’
Esther was firm in her opinion, wanting him to enjoy being a kid and not worry about bosses, clients, or paychecks.
She shared her thoughts in a now-viral video.
“I told him to look at his friends’ lives and see what happened,” she said, referring to the stress and exhaustion that certainly comes with work.
“If he wants to get work experience, he should find something he really wants to do and ask if he can follow someone to learn.”
Esther added, “I can finance his existence. He’s not handed everything on a silver platter, but it’s insane to tell a 15-year-old little kid to go out into the world and get a job like they won’t have that for the rest of their lives.”
The mom also joked that her son would probably “retire when he’s 100” because of rising life expectancy.
“We can’t even die young anymore, we live a million years these days,” she said. “He won’t retire until he’s 100, he won’t start at 15.”
Many found her short-sighted and shared why they thought it was beneficial for teens to have jobs.
“Jobs build confidence, responsibility, communication skills and peer kinship. It teaches you to show up, but also to stand up for yourself,” said one man.
“Please let him get a job, at least during the holidays. I never had a job while in school, I’m 20 now and no one will hire me because I have no experience,” wrote another.
“I will turn 29 next year and the things I learned at 15 at my KFC job I will carry with me to this day – personally and professionally,” one woman revealed.
Conversely, a strong work ethic could see him retire at 40. It’s all about perspective,” said one man.
Esther, from Queensland, said her family was “comfortably middle class” and they didn’t need the extra support of their children’s income to survive
While others thanked her for taking care of and supporting her son.
“Unpopular opinion, but my parents did this and I’m thankful they let me be a kid,” one woman wrote. “Also — never had a problem getting a job in adulthood.”
Another added: ‘Yeah, me too! I don’t know how I could have even had time between activities, schoolwork and social life.’
“I feel the same about my children. If they want to help occasionally, cool, but live your age!’ a mother shared.