Lillian Ng’ang’a, a well-known Kenyan author and public figure, has sparked a fresh debate on parenting. She is encouraging parents to introduce their teenagers to the world of work. Taking to her Instagram, she argued that starting early helps young people build essential life skills.
The discussion began when Ng’ang’a reflected on her observations of how teenagers are raised in Western countries compared to Kenya. She suggested that the traditional "waiting" period in Kenya might be holding young people back.
Lessons from the West
Ng’ang’a shared a recent conversation she had with a friend living abroad. This friend’s children are already active in the workforce despite being teenagers.
"So the other day I was catching up with a friend of mine and they have kids in the west. The kids are teenagers, right? And these kids are busy. They're busy working, right? They have two jobs and you just simple service jobs, right? Working at McDonald's, working at a butchery, working a restaurant, then you're making your own money."
Breaking the Kenyan Cycle
Ng’ang’a pointed out that the current system often delays independence. Many Kenyans do not enter the workspace until their early twenties.
"I couldn't help think about Kenya, we have the system where andit's okay to follow the system because Kenya, what can we do? Um, you follow the system. So ideally you start looking for work in your early 20ies and for sure there's no you can compare yourself with that kid who started working when they were teenagers right."
She believes this delay puts Kenyan youth at a disadvantage. She questioned whether more parents should consider a different approach.
Building Financial Discipline
On her Instagram feed, Ng’ang’a was even more direct. She listed several benefits of early employment for those as young as 13.
"There is no downside to introducing your teenager to paid work (for over-13-year-olds and non-exploitative) It builds their confidence, equips them with financial discipline, time management skills, etc Driving, too, it can be done while they are teens. Times have changed. Are you for or nay?"
She emphasised the pride and empowerment that comes with earning one's own money. This independence allows teenagers to make their own choices.
More Than Just a Paycheck
For Ng’ang’a, this is about more than just money. It is about how teenagers spend their free time. She urged parents to find ways to empower their children during school holidays.
"So are there parents who are already doing something, and you want to share what your child does, probably when they come home for the holidays for you to empower them that way, not just staying home watching TV spending time with your friends, and all that. We rise up together and catch up with the best if I can say."
Lillian Ng’ang’a is a prominent philanthropist and the former First Lady of Machakos County.She is known for her book Madam First Lady and her active presence on social media, where she often discusses social and parenting issues.
