>I was making about 20 bucks a week at age 11 cutting lawns - of course that was summer 1976.
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>I think a responsible kid of about that age can certainly use a regular push mower if they've been properly taught by an adult.
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>As a rule, age 9 is still too young (though I'm sure someone will say they cut lawns at age 9 unsupervised, but as a general rule that's too young)
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>I agree (from the article), 12 is entirely too young to be using a riding mower. 16 should be the min. age for a riding mower - assuming they've been properly taught.

But old enough to shoot a gun :-)