In the past few years teens have taken on responsibilities and positions that were once held by adults. The truth is we are seeing an increase in blue collar and healthcare workers in young people. This could be due to a multitude of factors: money, future plans, college resumes. That is not the problem. The problem is when you start putting children in uncomfortable or harmful positions for the sake of their job. 

Having a “normal” job for a teenager can be stressful during the school year, but now imagine having to take care of people who rely on your abilities to stay safe like a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Not only that but depending on adult coworkers that can sometimes act like more of a child than the teens working there. 

We have heard horror stories about residents sexually harassing workers under the age of 18. There are also fall risks who have landed on our peers. Yes, they are trained and signed all the papers that they need to, but we don’t think that children should be in these situations.

According to the Center for Disease Control in 2024 in the article, “Young Worker Employment, Injuries and Illnesses Charts,” it is easy to see that some of these jobs are not only mentally draining, but physically harming. In 2022, an estimated 26,900 emergency department-treated injuries were among 15-17 year-olds 

With school, extracurricular activities, homework, balancing social relationships and then adding a job on top burnout seems almost inevitable. It is impossible to juggle everything at once and still do your best one hundred percent of the time. 

“53% of teens feel pressure to be exceptional and impressive through their achievements (e.g., honors classes, good grades, jobs),” reported the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the article “Students Are Feeling Burned Out. Here’s How You Can Help”.

People may argue that these students are working in the medical field, blue collar work, etc… know what they want to do and are working toward their future. However, the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the article “Students Are Feeling Burned Out. Here’s How You Can Help” argues something else, “56% of American teens feel pressure to have their future life path figured out (e.g., college, career, relationships).”

How teens feel about our relationships with the world may even affect the way we are in our future jobs. 

“Teenagers suffering from anxiety or depression are less likely to enter the workforce as young adults, and more likely to earn lower pay when they do, researchers reported in a study published Thursday in the journal, PLOS Medicine,” said the American Institute of Stress in the article “Teen Stress Drags Down U.S. Economy, Study Concludes” published in January 2025. “The economic impact is so great that $52 billion in U.S. budget savings could occur over 10 years if efforts are made to help even 10% of teens at risk for stress, researchers estimate.”

Even with all the risks involved teens often feel having a job is required at a young age. There are many reasons a teenager would feel the need to generate money. Whether it is to make money for social spending, college, or even to help pay your families bills. In the end the way we view the work load for teens seems unfair and damaging.