Oregon McDonald's trying to hire 14-year-olds due to 'staffing issues'

In the 80s, when I was 14 & 15, I worked in the kitchen at a Shakey's pizza. It was a 1/2 mile down the road from my high school and just across from the mall. After school I would walk to the mall and play arcade games at Aladdin's Castle until my shift started. Many of my friends had jobs at 14 and by 16 most of them did.

The first big purchase I made at 14 with my wages and some grandma money combined was a 1541 disk drive for my C64. I lived in a middle class suburb where most parents gave their kids used cars at 16, but the kids needed to cover insurance, gas and repairs which is why most of my friends worked.

My 14 year old daughter would love to have a job now. She is annoyed that the laws in our state are so restrictive for 14 and 15 year olds that no one will hire them except for summer jobs.

When I was 14 I had a part time job as a fast food cashier and I think most teenagers could benefit from the experience. It teaches them how to follow instructions and relate to co-workers from different backgrounds. Plus it gives them some independence from parents.