Students and Jobs
Greg and Todd discuss students having jobs.

Todd: You know, Greg, we were talking about how we both had part-time jobs, you know, I think there's a lot of benefit but looking back, sometimes I wonder if it's not so good that children work.

Greg: Why?

Todd: You know, I just think that basically kids ... they get in this trap, they start working, they start getting a little money, they kind of get into buying things and consumerism, and they really don't focus on studying or being in clubs or just doing extra-curricular activities when they're young.

Greg: But sometimes if people work, they learn that they have to work in order to get something and then they transfer that to school and say: I have to work at school in order to get good grades or to get into the high school I want, or into the college I want.

Todd: I think it's nice to look at it that way but I think in reality, most people that are wealthy, their children don't work and they get better grades and they do activities that help their school resume, and as a result they get into the best schools, and they get the best jobs.

Greg: Maybe the rich people are able to go to better schools cause they're better schools in rich areas so they're getting a better education. That might be why.

Todd: Yeah, that's true, but I think maybe that if kids, if they start working and they work too much, then they lose their priorities, which should just be about an education.

Greg: I agree if they work too much, but I think you learn a lot of things, which are very important, you know, there's a difference between book knowledge and world knowledge.

Todd: OK, that's true. Well, so how many hours would you suggest that a child works? Like for you what's the maximum hours that a kid in high school should work?

Greg: A high school student should probably work no more than 10 hours a week.

Todd: OK, I agree. I agree. See when I was in high school though I was working like 25, 30 hours.

Greg: That's, that's a lot.

Todd: Right, and that's why I'm not a rich man today.

The mp3 files and text on elllo are Creative Commons. Students and teachers are free to download, copy and distribute these materials for educational purposes. They are not transferable for commercial purposes.emons