With kids busier and parents wanting them to get experiences that help on college applications, the work force has shrunk
Job-seeking teens few and far between
By L.M. SIXEL Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
For decades, it's been a rite of passage for teenagers to sack groceries, wash dishes and mow lawns after school, on weekends and during the summer.
The part-time jobs provide teens with spending money, teach responsibility and, for the lucky ones, at least according to Hollywood, lead to a great romance that involves a lot of beach time.
But these days, working teenagers are becoming scarcer.
In 2006, 43.7 percent of teens nationwide between the ages of 16 and 19 were working or looking for work, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's down from 52 percent in 2000.
In Texas last year, even fewer teens were working — 40.6 percent, according to the government.
Experts chalk up the trend to several factors: More teens are in school than a decade ago, many parents prefer their kids to focus on their studies, and in some circles, teen labor almost has become a stigma because it implies the family needs the money.
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/5380918.html