Dad Brags That His 14-Year-Old-Son Works “Every Day He Can” At Burger King, Leading To A Fierce Debate Online

I've no problems with a youngster wanting to work and learning about the merits of hard work, but I do have a big problem with the dad's bragging and preaching about it. Not only is it judging others not behaving like his son, but it also must make the son feel more obliged to keep doing it, and at his age he shouldn't feel obliged to work.

Personally, I don't see the problem with this. If the kid wants to work and is happy doing it, what's the issue? He'll learn the value of money and to save. It'll help him out in the future. I would encourage the child to take breaks, but kids can be so hyped up to do something they don't want to take breaks.

Burger King was specifically hiring 14 and 15 year olds to keep from having to offer higher wages to adults. There was an article about it on BP just a couple of weeks ago. Nice to know that parents are happy to take BK up on their offer! I wonder if the kid has his own bank account, or if his pay just goes straight to Dad?

At 14 I had a part time job and did volunteer work and school....I think I used up all my energy young because now my husband and I argue about who should get out of bed to turn the air off.

Ok..... this is not allowed in Germany. 14 year olds are not allowed to do a part time job and definately not staying in late. They may take neighbours dogs for a walk or do garden work....

I grew up working. Let me tell you what this normally leads to. Kids who have to work regular jobs end up missing extracurriculars that mean the difference during college application time. They miss out on many other things that generally lead to advantages in life. They're jaded about work, and the public in general, at an early age. Homework and studying isn't as important as getting hours in because hours mean food and a roof. It is one of the things that perpetuates poverty. I won't go so far as to say kids shouldn't mow lawns, babysit, etc, but a regular job too young can cripple a future.

It's his choice, so if he wants to do it... let him do it. On a personal note, I do think it's depressing to spend the best years of your life working. That's what makes childhood even more valuable - it's one of those periods when you're not supposed to worry about "grown-up stuff".

At 14 my daughter proudly went to work every day even when her sister came in for a visit from out of town she didn't call off. She hates working to this day. She calls off constantly and quits on a whim. She's burnt out.

I got a weekly allowance as a kid but, at 14 I was still hustling to earn extra cash! I didn't work at McD's or anything but I mowed lawns, did landscaping, roofed homes, anything that I could physically DO and get paid for it I was there!! That's how I was able to buy a sweet mountain bike, video games and a bunch of other "cool" stuff that my father wasn't going to buy FOR me. In retrospect, I wish I would have invested that money rather than spend it, but earning it taught me responsibility, gave me a work ethic and made me part of who I am today. AAAAAAAAND I still managed to have an awesome fun childhood with my friends!!!! It blows my mind how people go from "kid working at BKs" to "forced child labor"! He's not living in India people!!!! What about all the kids across America who are growing up on farms? I knew kids in my hometown who had to get up before dawn to work on the farm and then go to school!!! That is closer to child labor than this example.

God forbid a kid wants to work hard. All the people shaming the father for appreciating his son's efforts are probably living at home with mom and dad because they can't afford to buy a home. I've been working my ass off since I was 14, and it definitely paid off. The kid seems happy. He has a goal in mind. What would you rather have him do? Stay home and be on social media? Play video games? Aspire to be an influencer? It's not like kids play outside anymore. Bunch of jerks.

The more I read about America the more I'm glad I don't live there.

I'd bet real money that like some fast food joints, the Burger King is understaffed because adults can do better than horrible working conditions for minimum wage. And that the kid is being pressured to work longer hours than are legal for a kid of that age, and he's going along with it for now because he hasn't learned how to say "no" to adults yet. Well, if I'm right, he will learn soon enough.

My kid got a job at the local pizzeria when she was 14. She worked about 12 hours a week, which I felt was plenty for a child in school with a lot of studying to do. Learning how to work in an adult setting and the responsibility of being on time, completing her tasks, dealing with customers, getting along with a variety of co-workers and how to use initiative. I would never have let her work more than that, because kids are still kids and studies and free time and a social life should come before that.

That child doesn't want to be at home and gets appreciated more at BK. That's why he loves it.

Taken at face value, my only objection is the disturbing level of "pride" the father exhibits. At 14, that boy is not working very many hours. Last I worked at BK, I enjoyed the work and most of the coworkers. I often unofficially "mentored" the young ones to help prevent the burnout most of the people here are whining about. It's possible this kid has a similar work environment.

Not something for Dad to brag about, whether it was the kid’s idea or not. He’s still too young to be dropped in a job with older teens, or adults (yikes!). 14 year olds generally don’t have to work outside their homes, because their parents are paying them allowances in exchange for cleaning their rooms, taking out the trash, or whatever chores they’re assigned (teaches them about being paid for their work, about handling adult responsibilities, and how to maintain a home, since they’ll eventually have their own places). Maybe they make extra through babysitting or mowing lawns in the neighborhood. Most have a goal in mind for the money, like being able to afford college, or having a car at 16—and they usually have an agreement with their parents about matching funds for the car. At 16, the money they earn working part time is either still going toward buying the car, or paying for gas and other car-related expenses.

This is just an example of a father trying to convince Other People that his kid (and by extension, him) are superior human beings and that they always will be. The restaurant lobby has paid lawmakers in many states very generously so that young adolescents can be exploited for pennies and that it's all for the benefit of the kids and they are shocked, SHOCKED that anyone would think otherwise. Not wanting to work every day for a few bucks an hour at the age of 14 is not a character flaw, it's a sign of common sense. I feel sorry for the kid, and can only imagine that his dad's apparent and overwhelming pride over his work fetish is part of what keeps the kid wanting so desperately to NOT be at home with him.

My mom and I got into many fights when I was 14 because I did not have a job. I told her they won't hire me until I am 16 unless I am family or something. She did not believe me so I told her to ask the cashier at the grocery store. She said "We don't hire until 16, which is the standard at all the stores here". So she stopped yelling at me for being lazy for a little while.

That's illegal in the uk!

I grew up with mom and dad both working, my dad 2 full-time jobs, and all of the money went to keeping a roof over our heads with 5 kids. At 9, I got my first paid job working for someone else delivering TIme Magazine and the Wall Street Journal. Back then there were tons of "kid jobs" like that (mowing lawns, raking leaves, painting a fence for an elderly neighbor). One day in 6th grade the parents sat me down and told me if I wanted to go to college, I needed to start figuring how to pay for it because they couldn't. My college fund was spent that day paying for a hospital bill so they wouldn't take our only car (car was 10 years old). I got my first fast food job at 14 where I was allowed to work 10 hours a week there on top of my paper routes and lawnmowing.When poor, you start working young or literally starve. Its not fair but its the real world. PS - I'm all for fixing it so work is an option, not a requirement but the American Dream has brainwashed a country.

Some people are insane. By that, I mean the majority of the commenters and the tone of the story itself- establishing a work ethic is healthy and necessary for facing the reality of the world. I've worked since I was 9 in one form or another. It's sick to see so much nonsense and people dragging this kid for following a responsible path.

This article twisted what the dad said & it seems everyone misunderstood it. He works every day he CAN & if he CAN, he'll work on a weekend. He did not say that he works every single day, including weekends. It's part time. Kid is probably working 2 or 3 days & getting an extra day here & there & ppl are freaking out.

As long as the boy is happy and saving up the money for the car he wants, I don't see an issue with him. Dad? Could have stopped at being proud and not gone into "lazy. Like many have said, at his age he maybe getting minimal hours (as many as he can) even working extra. It may be a place that is okay to work at, just because it's fast food doesn't automatically make management A-holes. If the kids wants to work and not one is forcing him, I don't see a problem. He may be the kind of person that is bored at home, doesn't enjoy some of the summer stuff his peers might be doing.

Of course children should not be work slaves! They should be play slaves, forced to do nothing useful all day, regardless of how they feel about it.

I worked at 14. My mother took my pay check until i left for the military. I was groomed by 21yp men who were very disappointed i wouldn't sleep with them and subjected to all types of harassment. My daughter didn't start working until 16, but she too has been nonstop harassed. 14 is too young.

The poor kid. His dad is an entitled, selfish, overbearing and intolerant SOB. My parents allowed me to work at age 14. But I could only work 2 nights a week during school months (and my grades had to stay up), and 4 shifts a week in the summer. I had a great boss, and my big brother worked at the same joint. He would have offered protection if I had ever needed it. My folks and I had a deal. They would let me do fun or educational programs in the summer as long as I could pay for half of it. It did not hurt me a bit, and I learned how to save for a goal. In short, I had a great childhood with great parents and great brothers.

Make him so crushed by work so that he doesn't have the time and freedom to think for himself, educate himself, reflect. This father is depriving his own son of every opportunity to grow as a fully, intellectually, sensible human being and all that for buying a car. Shameful.

We were sort of expected to be working at that age. We had under the table hustles well before that. I've worked really hard, so my kids won't have to do that, trying to pass on a better life. I do have this weird feeling about it though, because I do think it built character and work ethic in me, so in the long run I got a lot more value from it than those tiny wages. My kids will have a different childhood, I just don't know if that different childhood is better in the long run. Parenting is hard.

way better pay than the paper round most kids get at that age , ,way better hours to i bet

Imagine being forced into this life without your consent and then forces to flip burgers because your dad's a sociopathic child abuser.