In the early parts of the century the debate was raging over child labor. All these things were hotly debated. While the legal issues have more or less been worked out, still there remains much discussion over what activities constitute work and who should be allowed to work at what age. For most people their first job was working for their parents, doing chores and collecting a weekly or monthly allowance.
Many teens eagerly await their first job for a number of reasons.
Further, a job is a way to begin distancing oneself from the parental nest. For all these reasons jobs are generally something teens look forward to. In most states kids may work at the age of 16, and work permits can be attained for 14 and 15. There is one major issue though for children 14 and 15 years old transportation. Unfortunately, this seems to undermine, at least in part, any increase in self-sufficiency and responsibility that the child may otherwise feel.