A recent study by the Institute of German Economy (IW) has found that teenagers from wealthier households in Germany are more likely to have a part-time job than those from poorer backgrounds. However, the recent citizen income reform could help reduce these significant disparities. According to the study, around 40% of German teenagers work part-time while still in school. These early work experiences can help young people become more reliable and independent. However, the data from the Socio-Economic Panel, a scientific household survey, shows that teenagers from poorer households are significantly less likely to have a part-time job than those from wealthier backgrounds.
When dividing families into better-off and less well-off categories, the study found that over half (52%) of young people from financially better-off backgrounds are already familiar with part-time jobs, compared to only 31.5% from less well-off families. The study did not investigate the exact reasons for these significant disparities, but the author of the study, Dr. Wido Geis-Thöne, suspects that wealthier families have a more extensive network that makes it easier for teenagers to access suitable jobs. Additionally, the study found that children of academics or self-employed parents, as well as those attending a gymnasium, tend to work more frequently.
Previously, teenagers from families receiving Hartz-IV faced legal barriers to part-time work. Their income from part-time jobs was added to the family’s total income, resulting in cuts to state support. However, thanks to the intervention of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), this regulation has been revised. Since the beginning of the year, teenagers can earn up to €520 per month without it being counted towards their family’s support. In the medium term, this change could lead to more teenagers from households receiving social welfare also taking on part-time jobs.
In conclusion, the study highlights the significant disparities in part-time work opportunities for teenagers from different socioeconomic backgrounds in Germany. The recent citizen income reform could help reduce these disparities, but more needs to be done to ensure that all young people have equal access to work experiences that can help them become more independent and reliable.
