I was a teen in the early 00s, so just prior to mobile internet really taking off. Driving was a huge motivator for us to work (rural). I suspect your right a

I was a teen in the early 00s, so just prior to mobile internet really taking off. Driving was a huge motivator for us to work (rural). I suspect your right about the generational gap. Perspective also seems to differ between urban/rural. I'd get it if there were some great alternative that teens were missing out on because they worked, but from my experience there was plenty of time to work, go to school, and still smoke weed everyday. Granted I didn't do 10-hour days 5-6 days a week all summer like the guy in the article, but normal 40-50hr/week full-time summer jobs was nothing.