Overview
Should the minimum wage be raised? Should minimum wage even exist? What’s the history behind this decades-old concept? Nowadays, minimum wage is commonly accepted as a plus for lower-wage workers, but is there a downside? Who pays the price? This video looks at the pros and cons of minimum wage.

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Lesson Insights

Grade level and subjects
• Recommended for grades 6-12
• Subjects: Economics
• Works in Classroom, Hybrid, and Homeschool settings

What students will learn
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• discuss pros and cons of increasing the minimum wage;
• explain the racist history of the minimum wage; and
• evaluate the arguments for and against an increased minimum wage.

Key concepts and terms covered
Minimum wage, Living wage, and Entry-level job.

Sample discussion questions
• What is the difference between minimum wage and living wage?
• How many of you have a job? Do you consider it an entry-level job? What would be the consequences if your employer were forced to pay you $15/hour? What about $20/hour? What about $25? Is there a pattern here?
• Why did the small business owner stop hiring and training young people?
• What might be the impact of minimum wage increases on unemployment? Explain.
• What other societal problems are connected to this minimum wage issue?

What’s in the free teacher’s guide
This printable 7-page Teacher's Guide includes a lesson description, learning objectives, key vocabulary, a fill-in viewing guide with answer key, discussion and analysis questions, and classroom activities.

Standards alignment
Aligned to state standards — use the SITC Standards Tool to match this video to the standards in your state.