Why do you have to be 17 to work at certian stores?

Question

Why do you have to be 17 to work at certian stores?

Answer 1

There are probably two reasons.

1) I think if you are 16 or younger, there are restrictions on how long and what times you can work.

2) Employers equate age with maturity, and they want more mature and responsible  individuals working for them.  Age is a proxy for maturity/responsibility.

Answer 2

Virtually all states have laws on this issue, it varies state-by-state.