[Kluny]

I'm not in the states, but if I had a high school age kid I think I'd do anything I could to get them a better summer job than McD's. The money isn't the point - they're going to end up competing with adults for real jobs at some point, and the more high quality items they can get on a resume, the better their chances. Middle class kids legit can't afford to work in fast food because they need to spend their school years doing something more valuable than that.

I would probably advise my kids to shadow a tradesman, volunteer at a hospital or for a political campaign, plant trees, lead at a summer camp, or any other thing that will lead to better opportunities than fast food. Even working in a high end restaurant would be better.

[sand500]

>Middle class kids legit can't afford to work in fast food because they need to spend their school years doing something more valuable than that.

I agree fully. Especially once you get to college, you need to start looking for internships and having more things on your resume makes you that more competitive.