Obama: Malia and Sasha should build character in minimum wage jobs

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-malia-and-sasha-should-build-character-in-minimum-wage-jobs/

By JAKE MILLER CBS NEWS June 20, 2014

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama agreed in an interview published Friday that they would like to see their daughters work a minimum-wage job to build character.

"I think every kid needs to get a taste of what it's like to do that real hard work," the first lady told Parade Magazine.

"We are looking for opportunities for them to feel as if going to work and getting a paycheck is not always fun, not always stimulating, not always fair," the president added. "But that's what most folks go through every single day."

"That's what life is," the first lady agreed.

In the interview, the first couple also recalled their own experiences in low-paying jobs during adolescence and young adulthood.

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"If you're an hourly worker in most companies, and you say, 'I've got to take three days off,' you may lose your job," Mr. Obama said. "At minimum, you're losing income you can't afford to lose. Michelle had an ailing dad when we were first dating; he had multiple sclerosis. She remembers the toll that took on the family."

The president said their experience has informed his push to update workplace policies by providing workers with paid time off, ensuring women receive equal pay, and raising the minimum wage - all goals he'd like to achieve before he leaves office.

"We want to start the conversation and move on all fronts," he said. "There are things I can do administratively, like executive orders on equal pay and on minimum wages for workers on federal contracts. If I want a minimum wage nationally, we need Congress to act. On childcare, we're pushing for universal pre-K. On all fronts, we're pushing for legislation. But if Congress doesn't act, then we'll work with various stakeholders, highlighting companies and businesses that are doing the right thing."