i got a job when i was 16, cause i (we) needed the money. i also went to high school. why cant you do both? who says you have to wait til you're out of college to get a job? these ppl take the "easy" way out and end up paying for it later.. if they had good parent(s), they'd never have even considered something like that.. maybe some of these folk should stop squeezing out babies for the welfare checks and at least TRY to take care of what they do have. ignorance and stupidity is to blame here, dont lay it all on poverty. a job at 16 won't be enough to pay bills, put food on your table, and a shelter over your head. maybe for you, many of those things are already provided, and working just brings in extra cash. but for others, working leaves no extra cash.