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The United States is interesting place to examine as far as development over the past 10 years. Its a difficult conversation to have because the US is supposed to be a top 10 developed nation. However, many economic indicators leave a lot of questions about long term plans and current statuses.
In other countries, teenagers travel alone, have significant savings, and work full-time periodically throughout the year instead of going to school. While they do have an option to go to school, it is normally for self-enrollment and conversations with a guidance counselor. They do not have a set 8 hour a day schedule followed by 4-5 years of college. They can start working at diners, cafe's, libraries, car washes, and airport terminals around 12-14 depending on size. Larger teenagers are more advantaged for working early but smaller teenagers can often find a desk or office job. This is often until they get older so they can bring some money home for mom and dad. Work is viewed as a good socialization activity in other countries.
Globally, the population has voted for more work, less school, more free time, and less tickets. This has resulted in laws changing drastically in a short period of time. It has also led to legal analysis of law development over the last 100 years. The speed limit is now 80 MPH in some areas of the US.
The word child is used throughout this post. Its the ways laws are written, the language is veering towards human or just sapiens and an age designator. Don't read too much into the meaning right now.
29 USC § 212, 206 are the basis for child labor laws. This section states the following. "No employer shall employ any oppressive labor in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce or in any enterprise". For those under 20 years old, this section allows "a wage which is not less than $4.25 an hour". There are some additional provisions for Puerto Rico which is now considered a US State.
The rest of the provisions that are applicable to teenagers can be found in the CFR or code of federal regulations. The code of Federal Regulations is not always law. These are at times administrative guidelines and best practices. They can be changed by an administrative agency without voting, notice is provided on regulations.gov. If they are based in law, its usually based on the U.S. Code and linked directly from the CFR. Those are actual laws that were voted on and can still be contested in a courtroom.
29 CFR § 551.601 sets the minimum age to work at 16, it sets the minimum wage to work in hazardous conditions at 18. These are administrative rules. They can simplify law management in an area and set court procedure at a more reasonable point in a hearing. Regulation 29 CFR § 570.119 allows the Secretary [of Labor] to set the minimum age to 14. Employment should not interfere with schooling or with health and well being. While these are rules, they are beneficial to the citizen and in a court hearing.
This presents an interesting context for students who are done with Algebra, Biology, Chemistry, and College Composition I by 9th Grade. They can often study Psychology, Physiology, Sociology and other college electives before they turn 18. Many students already know how to build databases and write software at 10-12 years old. This changes the policy on reasonable work and school expectations.
The Secretary sets the work schedule for 14 and 15 year olds in 29 CFR § 570.35
All 14-15 year olds are limited to working between the hours of 7 AM and 7 PM. The exception is during the summer when they can work until 9 PM. An exception or waiver can possibly be requested somewhere.
The UK, which is important because of the U.S. Const. Amdt 9, U.N. Participation Act 1945, and the UDHR; sets their schedule at 4 hours per day and 12 hours per week, for kids who are in school. They are allowed to work 1 day of 8 hours on the weekend. This counts towards their 12 hours for the week.
In the U.S. 16 year olds are not limited by the CFR rules for 14 and 15 year olds. They can work an unlimited amount of hours. They are only limited from working in hazardous environments. This can be found in Department of Labor Fact Sheet 43. There is information for the correct laws and codes.
The fact sheet also allows children under 14 to work delivering newspapers, in acting jobs, completing minor chores, working around private homes, and casual babysitting.
The $4.25 per hour rate makes sense when thinking of 5-6 year olds completing minor chores for 2 hours a day throughout the week. It may also help mom and dad think about the costs of nursing homes, or going to college. There is a benefit in teaching kids to save, budget, and pay taxes.
Putting it all together
How does this all work out with state minimum wage laws and work permits, which are not required by Federal law?
The states should not remove rights that were enumerated or not enumerated at the time the U.S. Constitution was written. This can result in a 14th Amendment Grievance and a Civil Complaint for the deprivation of rights and privileges. The paperwork would be filed in a state or federal court near the place of incident. Courts are working on simplifying these filing requirements and making them more accessible.
Requesting the state minimum wage as a minor with no work experience can put someone at a disadvantage. The $4.25 rate or $7.50 federal minimum rate is a good starting point for a first job. It might not hurt to ask for $10 per hour, limited to a certain number of hours per week or per month. For those completing their HS Diploma by 14, they may be able to ask for an exemption to work 40 hours throughout the year. Most employers will pay minors the state minimum wage, especially if they have some experience. With a resume, many jobs will consider paying on performance if they have no other obligations preventing them from doing so. This will vary by employer and asking is part of the interview process.
What jobs to ask for?
Almost any job is acceptable, it can't be hazardous or interfere with health and well-being. Bookkeeping, computer programming, spreadsheets, databases, retail merchandising, and community planning are all popular jobs for minors. This will rarely affect a parents income or taxes. This is because the kids will eventually move to their own place. Very few children are planning on living with mom and dad until they are in their 30s and 40s. A tax planner can help with the exact details for filing taxes while still living with mom and dad. Most prefer filing as independent and then giving mom and dad the yearly wages and tax amount.
Like with work laws, the age of consent is flexible and fluctuates over time. The state of California was considered the most conservative as far as letting minors date adults. They had a 4 year age limit law and often put people in jail for dating within this age limit. Currently, the age of adulthood is being lowered to 16 globally. This is the standard for military service in many countries and the commitment is often for more than 4 years. They are often enrolling for 15 to 35 years on average with a second commitment resulting in officer duties past age 50. The U.S. right now, is considered mostly civilian and not very militarized.
There is also an effort to lower the legal age of drinking to 18 years old. Most people aren't projected to become regular drinkers. Most people over the last 20 years ignore alcohol most of the time because they are too busy with work and school. Cigarettes are even less popular and a lot of people enjoy healthy lifestyles. Its done occasionally when there are more than just a few days off from work.
Interestingly, the suggested age of sexual activity is being increased to age 25. Lower sex drives with less frequent intimacy is being encouraged as healthier and more representative of the goals for human development. The breeding age for males is up to 40-54 and for females at 26-35 and no older than 40. The oldest woman being 50 with heavy medical screening which adds costs to the pregnancy.
Examining Nebraska
The age of consent is defined in N.R.S. § 28-319.01, 28-320.01 and is best visualized as a table.
| Age | Older human | result |
| ≤ 12 | ≥ 19 | felony, 15 year first offense 25 year second offense |
| ≥ 12 and < 16 | ≥ 25 | felony, 15 year first offense 25 year second offense |
| ≤ 14 | ≥ 19 | felony, 3 year maximum with 18 months supervision and $10k fine, minimum is no prison time and no supervision. |
| ≥ 16 | > 18 | no charge |
| ≥ 16 | > 16 | no charge |
| age of consent in Nebraska | ||
The State of Nebraska defines a few other worthwhile laws to know. According to N.R.S § 28-327.09 A physician has the burden of proof in proving the teenager understood the information provided to them before an abortion if the information was not provided to the parent.
Child enticement is defined as soliciting, enticing, or coaxing a child under the age of 14 to enter a vehicle and has the same penalty as someone over the age of 19 dating a 14 or 15 year old. N.R.S. § 28-311.
Photographing, filming, or recording an intimate area without consent can result in a prison term of 1 to 20 years for a first or second offense and 1 to 50 years for a second or third offense. N.R.S. § 28-311.08.
Nebraska believes in renunciation of criminal intent N.R.S. § 28-203 and that all people should be free of violence, intimidation, or threat (N.R.S. § 28-110). They are seen as having up to date laws.