Brief Are Teens in Low-Income and Welfare Families Working Too Much?
Robert I. Lerman
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Over 40 percent of the nation's 16- to 17-year-old high school students held jobs during the school year. About 25 percent of those holding jobs worked 20 hours or more per week. In general, higher family income, an absence of welfare history, and high levels of education are all associated with higher levels of teen employment. The findings reveal little negative association between school engagement and work. In fact, among the lowest income families, high work intensity goes along with more school engagement and better schoolwork performance.
Research Areas Education Wealth and financial well-being Children and youth Families Social safety net
Tags Employment and income data Economic well-being Secondary education