Question

The pressure for a teenager to work is great," said Roxanne Bradshaw, educator and officer of the National Education Association. "Much of it is peer pressure to have a little bit of freedom . . . and to have their own spending money. The concern we have is when the part time work becomes the primary focus." Many people argue that working can be a valuable experience for the young. However, working more than about fifteen hours a week is harmful to teens for several reasons.

First, schoolwork and after-school activities tend to be neglected when students work long hours. As more and more teens have filled the part-time jobs offered by restaurants and malls, teachers have faced increasing difficulties. They must keep the attention of tired pupils. They must give homework to students who don’t have time
to do it. In addition, teachers have noticed less involvement in activities that many consider a healthy influence on young people. School bands and athletic teams are losing players to work. Sports events are not usually attended by working students. Those teens who try to do it all may find themselves exhausted and prone to illness. A recent newspaper story described a girl who became ill as a result of aiming for good grades, playing on two school sports teams, and working thirty hours a week. Another drawback of too much work is that it may promote a love of material things and an unrealistic lifestyle. Some parents claim that working helps teach teens the value of a dollar. Undoubtedly that can be true. It’s also true that some teens work to help out with the family budget or to save for college. However, surveys have shown that most working teens use their earnings for luxuries—video games, CD players, even cars. These young people, some of whom earn $400 or more a month, don’t worry about spending wisely. They can just about have it all. In many cases, experts point out, they are becoming used to a lifestyle they won’t b able to afford several years down the road. Then they will no longer have parents paying for car insurance, food, lodging, and so on. At that point, they’ll be hard-pressed to pay for necessities as well as luxuries. Finally, teens who work a lot are more likely than others to get involved with alcohol and drugs. Those who put in long hours may seek a quick release from stress. Also, teens who have money are more likely to experiment with drugs Teenagers can enjoy the benefits of work while avoiding its drawbacks by limiting their work hours during the school year. As is often the case, a moderate approach is the most healthy and rewarding.
A. definition of after-school activities with examples
B. list of reasons for students not to work many hours.
C. comparison between the benefits of school and of work.
D. contrast between students who do and do not work many hours.

Answer 1

The issue of high school students working long hours is contentious due to concerns about negative impacts on education, health, and future sustainability of lifestyle choices. While work can provide valuable lessons and financial support, it should not outweigh academic and extracurricular involvement.

Step-by-step explanation:

The debate on whether high school students should work long hours has significant implications. With the pressure for teenagers to work, there are concerns about the impact on their academics, health, and future lifestyles. Working long hours can lead to neglected schoolwork and after-school activities, exhaustion, and a predilection for a lifestyle that may not be sustainable in the future.

It can also increase the likelihood of engaging with alcohol and drugs as a means of coping with stress. However, working can also teach valuable life lessons and contribute financially to family needs or personal goals like saving for college. It's essential to strike a balance, ensuring that work doesn't overshadow the formative educational experience and extracurricular opportunities that lay the groundwork for a well-rounded adult life.