Rebecca Raby, Professor of Child and Youth Studies at Brock University, had a piece recently published in The Conversation about the need to protect the safety of young people as they enter the workforce this summer.

She writes:

“As a child and youth studies researcher, I’m interested in the relationship between teenagers and work. After two years of lockdowns that kept many teens from working, the current labour shortage offers many exciting job opportunities for them this summer. This may be especially welcome news for those who have had a harder time finding work, such as younger and racialized teens.

Grade eight student Miriam, the daughter of one of my colleagues, shared her excitement with me about entering the workforce. She is keen to draw on her babysitting experience in her new job as a junior counsellor at a summer day camp: 

“I feel excited but also nervous. I’ve never worked (in a formal job) before. But I know I’m lucky to get it… I think it will be cool and interesting but also hard and tiring. I think I’ll really like it and I know I’ll like making my own money and meeting new friends.”

Early part-time work offers many opportunities for teens: earning money, building skills and career networks, developing friendships and fostering confidence and independence. And teens themselves generally have positive feelings about early, part-time work.”

Continue reading the full article on The Conversation website.