Here’s a story about an interesting study from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, which showed that fifth-graders who work (caring for lawns, babysitting, delivering newspapers, etc.) were more likely to use alcohol, tobacco or drugs, get into fights or run away from home.
The study showed that kids who worked were about twice as likely to use tobacco or drink and three times more likely to use marijuana.
Between 2004 and 2006, researchers interviewed more than 5,100 fifth-graders (average age of 10 years old) in Birmingham, Ala.; Los Angeles and Houston. About 21 percent of the children reported having a job, with babysitting and yardwork being the most common.
I’m surprised by this. At first, I thought there could be some socio-economic factors at play, but the researchers apparently accounted for that in the study.
The studies’ authors theorize that parents tend to back off on how much they supervise their children once kids start working, and that may explain the delinquent behavior.
“It is important for parents to monitor the workplace, activities and associates of their working children,” said Jeanie Alter, the program manager and lead evaluator of the Indiana Prevention Resource Center at Indiana University’s School or Health, Physical Education and Recreation, in a news release. “It is also critical to set parameters with the child’s employer, such as limiting access to alcohol and prescription drugs in the home where the child is babysitting. Assuring that children will spend their extra money on positive purchases is also important.”
I grew up in a really rural community, and so babysitting and yardwork opportunities were few. I got a job as soon as I was able to get my workers’ permit, and I always thought it taught self-discipline and responsibility. I’m stunned that this study shows that working has the opposite effect.