Essay Example on Working at McDonald's: How It Can Impact a Youth's Future

In the article, "Working at McDonald's," by Amitai Etzioni, he argues that gaining employment opportunities while one is still in high school can be detrimental for the youth in their future endeavors. The author argument is premised on the fact the job opportunities that are always given the youngsters adversely affects their studies and most critically their career development because they always get imparted with skills that they do not necessarily need. Furthermore, Etzioni argues that teenagers who take up part-time jobs acquire limited skills that do not bring a healthy lifestyle for the youngsters in the future (Etzioni 316). More often than not, the jobs that are undertaken by the teenagers have little educational value that negatively affects their school courses. The claims presented by Etzioni about high school students taking up part jobs are extensively true, and this has been supported by different real-life experience.

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It is imperative to note that the ideas presented by Etzioni are very true because the teenagers who work at the McDonald's and earning substantial wages often find it difficult to concentrate on their classwork and in most cases, they often drop out of school. Also, after being exposed to high wages at McDonald's, they are always less likely to derive satisfaction from the low wages that they may get in their future jobs, and this encourages them to get involved in social ills such as heists. Moreover, it has been proved that the high school students that work at McDonald's and other fast-food joints often experience a skill gap, which affects their creativity in their future undertakings (Etzioni 317). Evidentially, exposing teenagers to executing the same kind of job every day often contribute to dull individuals who are less likely to become innovative.

Moreover, as argued by Etzioni, there is always disconnect between the jobs being executed by the teenagers in the fast-food restaurants and their future jobs, and this is usually true in real life (Etzioni 316). For instance, I had particularly witnessed many individuals who work at low levels of jobs compared to the jobs that they were holding when they were young. Etzioni specifically takes no issue with the wages paid to the high school students while they are working at McDonald's. Etzioni asserts that the jobs are taken up by teenagers often disrupt the teenager's schooling, which ultimately stifles their opportunity to gain better educational dominance necessary for their career development (Etzioni 318). It is instructive to note that teenagers often pursue education to achieve certain goals such as getting high wages and earning huge wages while they are still learning always distracts them from such goals. Also, the reduced studying time of the learners as a result of working at McDonald's often causes them to acquire limited knowledge and skills which may deny them an opportunity to get better jobs in the future.

Etzioni's assertions that teenagers often adopt destructive consumerism is largely true. Teenagers are always focused on staying up-to-date by following new trends and fashions, which makes them waste the money they are earning (Etzioni 318). I have seen a teenager use almost all his earnings on buying unnecessary outfits arguing that they are ones the one trending presently. Understandably, earning money at a young age often destroys the critical outlook of life by the teenagers as they cannot pursue other entrepreneurial undertakings that can benefit them. Also, high wages paid to the teenagers often encourages them to get involved in social ills such as substance abuse which not only waste their resources but also deny them an opportunity to stay focused in school. Also, the high school students working at McDonald's often pursue high status in life and to continue with that high social status, they often drop out of school to continue working (Etzioni 317). It is worth noting that the failure by the teenagers to acquire adequate education often prevents them from gaining full-time jobs that are well paying.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this article by Etzioni reveals the problem that often bedevils many teenagers who choose to work as they study. I agree with the points presented by Etzioni because I have seen in real life situation where teenagers who work as they study drop out of school because they find it difficult to concentrate on their studies. The writer's argument is hinged on the belief that students should stay away from part-time jobs and focus on their studies to acquire necessary skills for future jobs. It is worth noting that teenagers when allowed to hold jobs while going to school often lack the incentive to work hard in school which causes some of them to drop out of school and hence fail to get the much-needed skills and knowledge necessary for executing high profile jobs in the future. Also, as Etzioni points out, teenagers who earn high wages often get involved in negative consumerism where they utilize their money in purchasing items that do not necessarily benefit them. Additionally, failing to acquire the best skills in school often causes them to be less creative and innovative in the future.

Work Cited

Etzioni, Amitai. "Working at McDonald's." pg. 316-318. https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/stephanie.bauer/engl1301/midterm-essay-exam-prompts-and-preparation/midterm-prompt-2-response-essay/midterm-prompt-2-response-essay-reading-1-working-at-mcdonalds pg. 316-318