Prereading Quiz: Putting More Teens to Work

Before you read “Putting More Teens to Work,” take this five-question quiz to find out how much you already know.

1

About what percentage of 16- to 19-year-olds in the U.S. had jobs in 2022?

About 33 percent of U.S. teens had jobs in 2022. That’s the highest rate since 2008, when many teens and adults lost their jobs during the Great Recession.

2

The Fair Labor Standards Act ____.

The Fair Labor Standards Act prohibits most kids under 14 from working and limits teens under 16 to three hours of work on a school day and eight hours on a non-school day. It also requires that employees of all ages receive at least the federal minimum wage, now $7.25 an hour.

3

True or false: There’s no minimum age requirement for kids who work in a family business.

True. There is no minimum age requirement for kids who work in a family business, where presumably their parents are looking out for them.

4

Which of these states has introduced a bill that would allow teens 14 and older to hold certain jobs in meatpacking facilities?

Iowa introduced a bill that would allow teens 14 and older to hold certain jobs in meatpacking facilities—including working in meat coolers—as long as young workers are kept separate from where meat is prepared. Minnesota lawmakers proposed legislation that would permit teens as young as 16 to work in construction. Ohio put forth a bill that would allow children as young as 14 to work until 9 p.m. year-round with their parents’ permission.

5

Which is a reason to increase work opportunities for young people?

A recent study found that students with part-time jobs are more likely to earn higher wages in the future compared with classmates who don’t work. Other benefits of increasing work opportunities include allowing teens to help support their families and learn skills that can help them in the future. On the other hand, critics say loosening child labor restrictions raises safety concerns and could cause students’ education to suffer.

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