Working Teens Issue 8 Home Page

It's Unusual for Teens to Work in Korea Hyo Chol Kwak from Korea explains why it is not common for teens in his country to work. Photo: Hyo Chol Kwak Even though most people think teenagers should not work; in my opinion, it is important for teenagers to work while they are in school because working can foster independence.   In my country, it is uncommon for teenagers to work. There are several reasons why they don't. First of all, teenagers can't afford to work after class because most students study at that time at private institutions or libraries. Koreans' passion for their children's education is so great that it is thought to be excessive. Generally, parents have high hopes for their children, so they want them to study hard. But when their children enter the university or college, they permit their children to work. It's the Korean culture's general educational philosophy. Second, the competition for college admission is notoriously stiff, so teenagers are forbidden to work because they have to study from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. at school and then study late at night at home. Finally, teenagers are forbidden to work by educational institutions. But many teenagers want to get a job, so they work as C.V.S. clerks (convenience store clerks), newspaper carriers, gas station attendants (My country's gas stations are not self-fill; usually people are served by gas station attendants.), or waiters in restaurants. I don't know how many teenagers work. Even though most people think teenagers should not work; in my opinion, it is important for teenagers to work while they are in school because working can foster independence and help them recognize their own value of money. More on teenage workers: It's Common for Teens to Work in Brazil | My Concerns about Working Teens Teen Workers Need Rules | Working Provides Good Experience Study First, Work Later Return to:  Working Teens | Issue 8 | Home Page TOPICS Online Magazine - ©1997-2006 - Sandy and Thomas Peters - topics mag@yahoo.com