TOEFL® essay sample: Should teenagers work?

[Mosidiqi]

Should teenagers work?

Work is a part of human’s life. People work to support themselves, their families, and to be able to enjoy their life like going on vacation and buying something useful. Many researchers have come to the conclusion that work affects students’ education and social life. Some people might argue that work teaches teens to be more responsible and to learn general employability skills. I strongly advocate that teenagers should concentrate on their education because, working while studying can lower students’ grade and ruin their social life.

First of all, studies have shown that working while studying causes students to have lower grades. In fact, students will not have sufficient time to do their homework and projects. For example, a couple friends of mine were students before they got job. One of them got a job while studying and he found out that working while studying has had negative impact on his education. His grades were dropping from A to B and even C and eventually he dropped ou of the school. On the other hand, another student who was not working was a very successful student.

Secondly, once teens begun working, it will have a negative impact on their social life. Such signs include diminishing interest in school and extracurricular activities, which formerly were source of self esteem and enjoyment, and spending less and less time with friends and family members. In addition, most of today’s teenagers do not contribute to the family. Instead, they spend their money on entertainment and other personal items. Thus, teens will totally loose interest in family and friends and have no time to socialise with them. This will ruin their social life.

In conclusion, I am strongly against the idea for the students to work while they are in school. Having a part or full time job will be very distracting and ruin their education and social life. Teens should value their education and school life and make full use of time. Only by working hard during school life can they have a very happy and prosperous life in the future.