Another way to look at it is that they are being given the choice between:
Finishing school, which they may not enjoy, but will set them up to be at least somewhat employable in the future. And introduces the possibility of further education to become even more employable.
Getting paid minimum wage, which sounds pretty good when you are living with your parents and aren’t paying for food or rent. But of course is incredibly unstable work and cannot be relied upon to cover living expenses once they’re an adult.
You aren’t wrong by any means. It sucks all around, but at least they’re being given the chance to contribute in some small way even if it isn’t ideal. However, I highly doubt any employer they’ll work for will treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve as human beings regardless of their age or circumstances.
What exactly is the silver lining? They’re being given an option which feels like a shortcut, but will ultimately harm their future opportunities. And this is at a point when their brain development and life experience is insufficient for them to make a rational decision. Basically the economic realities may coerce them into mortgaging their chances of future success for a quick buck.
Plus, they aren’t “contributing” to anything except wage suppression. Teenagers are less sensitive to being paid a living wage. This was done by Ontario’s Conservative government as a way to appease the sort of business owner who says “nobody wants to work anymore” while refusing to pay more than starvation wages.
Ontario recently legalized high school students dropping out and getting a full time job before graduating.
Well, if they’re gonna drop out they’ll need some kind of experience to make it in the real world later on. Might as well be work experience, I guess.
Another way to look at it is that they are being given the choice between:
You aren’t wrong by any means. It sucks all around, but at least they’re being given the chance to contribute in some small way even if it isn’t ideal. However, I highly doubt any employer they’ll work for will treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve as human beings regardless of their age or circumstances.
Still, silver linings and all.
What exactly is the silver lining? They’re being given an option which feels like a shortcut, but will ultimately harm their future opportunities. And this is at a point when their brain development and life experience is insufficient for them to make a rational decision. Basically the economic realities may coerce them into mortgaging their chances of future success for a quick buck.
Plus, they aren’t “contributing” to anything except wage suppression. Teenagers are less sensitive to being paid a living wage. This was done by Ontario’s Conservative government as a way to appease the sort of business owner who says “nobody wants to work anymore” while refusing to pay more than starvation wages.
Was it illegal for people to work before age 18 previously?
Full time jobs that take them out of school, yeah.