In my opinion, the sooner you start working the better - I started working as a waiter in school to pay for my stuff such as clothes, going out etc. the big stuff such as medical aid, school fees etc my parents paid.
there is nothing wrong with working one or two jobs while in school and studying to pay for stuff, it teaches u how to handle money and so on.
If your parents are in a position to help u financially and they are also willing, then go for it but that doesn't mean u can be a freeloader either or not work.
my experiences are that I had to work from age 15 to pay for my own stuff. I am now working in a permanent position but unfortunately don't earn enough to pay my own way 100% so my mom still helps me out with rent and car insurance etc. the rest I pay myself and I make a plan for. studies I paid for via a student loan that I am now paying off and while it's not easy every month, I manage and can still do stuff. I do pay my mom back as much as I can where I can and the rest I will do when I move on to my next job.
The reality these days is for most young people (age 22 or so) who have just finished studying are most likely to get a basic salary that will not come close to covering all the expenses and we have to rely on our families still.
life is expensive and employers just don't care and can get away with paying to nothing, and we put up with it as at least we have a job.
those who earn decent salaries and can afford to be self-sufficient then should be. there is no excuse for being a freeloader then as others have mentioned.
also there will always be a job if u look hard enough and u can always work as a waiter etc, it may not be what u want but if it pays the bills...
