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. says who? i started at $8 an hour and that was 12 years ago. child labor laws limiting hours of employ no longer apply at 16 (ed: depends on the state you reside in). if you have a mother or father that will not support you, you can apply for emancipation and also qualify for food stamps, government housing !@#$%^&*istance, and other welfare programs. combine that with even a minimum wage job, and you can pay the bills, put food on your table, and a shelter over your head. there are also all kinds of shelters for anyone under 18 years of age. yes, you cant afford to drive around in a pimped out lowrider with sweet rims. sorry.