Is It Fair to Pay Teens Less Than Adults?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: To what extent should fairness be considered when setting economic policy? What are other important considerations?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether employers should be allowed to pay teens a lower minimum wage than adults. The issue is timely because many businesses are facing financial difficulties because of inflation and other factors.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Bob Battles is a lawyer for an association that advocates for the interests of businesses. Aaron Keating is a policy director for an economics institute.)

• Analyze Battles’s view. (Battles argues in favor of allowing employers to pay teens a lower minimum wage. He says that a lower wage makes it easier for teens to find jobs, which gives them experience and sets them up for success throughout their lives. He also says it makes sense that their pay is lower since the law limits which tasks they can do.)

• Analyze Keating’s view. (Keating argues against a lower minimum wage for teens. He says people performing the same task should earn the same. He also says that a lower teen wage would make it difficult for teens to help support their families and save for college and would be bad for older workers, as employers might favor hiring teens for less.)

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Is it fair to pay teens less than adults? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate.

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.