Editorial: Learning about work/life balance

I remember my first regular after-school job.

I was 16, in the sixth form and managed to score a job working at the local Palmers Garden Centre with a mate of mine.

I worked some afternoons after school, on Sundays and during school holidays.

My job was more helper than expert. I didn't know anything about plants. I didn't know a hydrangea from a hebe, which led to some hilarious moments with customers.

But, importantly, the job allowed me to earn good money to pour petrol into my Ford Escort, buy the things I wanted and have a good time with friends.

It also taught me some responsibility and the importance of balancing school, homework and work, which is in effect a skill that can set you up for life.

I thought of my Palmers job when reading today's story about teenagers having part-time jobs.

New research shows high school students who work in paid jobs more than 15 hours a week are sacrificing their school performance.

Australian researchers found more than 15 hours paid work a week had a "pronounced" negative impact on school performance. One in three students aged 15-19 had part-time jobs, and more girls than boys worked.

The study found Year 12 girls could juggle 10 hours of work a week without interfering with their school performance, but problems for boys started with fewer hours.

There is a mix of views on the topic. One local child expert believes students aged 15 to 18 should throw their energy into school work and sport instead of part-time work.

Principals say many students work and one has seen evidence of tiredness.

Of course, in an ideal world all students would be able to focus on their studies and other activities such as sport and music rather than having to earn money.

But we don't live in an ideal world. More than ever before, we live in a world where money talks and some teenagers have to work to support their families or themselves because their parents don't have bottomless pockets.

And putting an ideal world aside, I think part-time jobs are a good thing - it's a matter of keeping everything in balance and perspective.

Schoolwork is critical and should always take priority but doing a day's work at the weekend or one or two hours after school a few days a week need not impact on academic performance - as long as teens have good time management and family support.

Such after-school jobs teach values, the importance of money and the need to earn it, and allows students to prepare for the future.

These jobs also teach responsibility and that not everything in life is delivered on a plate.

Have your say -  email the editor on: editor@bayofplentytimes.co.nz