LETTERS: Remove barriers for young job seekers

To the editor:

The commentary by Esther J. Cepeda (“Hire a teenager, and change a life,” March 15 Review-Journal) was a well-stated confirmation of an observation and frustration I have experienced in recent years. I work with a local nonprofit that cares for homeless, pregnant young women. One of the priorities with these young women is to help them first become employable, and then employed, improving their chances of escaping lifelong poverty.

The hardest part is assisting young women who have never worked. The jobs that I had when I was young are no longer available to these young women. Even though 16 is the legal age for employment, many entry-level positions require applicants to be 18.

My assumption is the employer is concerned about liability insurance and prefers employees who are a bit more mature. However, if young people are not able to mow a lawn, deliver a newspaper or babysit for other people’s kids, how are they going to learn good work habits?

The answer is not more laws or more government programs, but rather recognition that work is good for us. It is good for the complete development of young people, helping them turn into responsible adults. Let’s loosen restrictions, remove barriers to work, and encourage rather than discourage employers to hire young people in entry-level jobs at entry-level pay, so that they can soon become responsible, self-supporting members of our community.

Thank you, Ms. Cepeda, for humanizing this issue by sharing a success story.

KATHLEEN MILLER

LAS VEGAS