Let me tell you about my neighbor’s kid, Leo. He charges $5 to mow a lawn that takes him an hour. That’s below the federal minimum wage of $7.25, even though he’s not legally covered by it. Is that fair? Well, he’s happy because he can buy video games, but his dad jokes he’s “exploited by the free market.”
Imagine if Leo knew he could ask for $10—and the neighbor might say yes because it’s still cheaper than a landscaper. That’s the whole debate: should we protect young workers from being underpaid, even in the informal economy? Most states say no, because they assume a 13-year-old’s work is helping out, not supporting a family.
Why You Should Care About a Kid’s Paycheck
I know what you’re thinking: “It’s just a few bucks for a lemonade stand. Who cares?” But here’s the thing—how a 13-year-old learns to value their time shapes their adult work ethic. If they’re paid a fair rate, they learn confidence and respect for labor. If they’re paid peanuts, they might undervalue themselves forever.
Consider your own first job. Was it a paper route for $20 a week? Did you feel proud, or ripped off? That feeling sticks with you. When we ignore what teens earn, we’re sending a quiet message that their time doesn’t matter much. But their time is just as precious as anyone else’s—they just can’t unionize about it.
