Teens and their first jobs - parents asking for money...

If you have experienced this before or have advice, please respond to this post. There are more details - that I wouldn't put on a public post yet not too personal to chat about with another mentor - that would knowingly aid in understanding and responding more thoroughly. So please do include a way that I can contact you directly if interested in sharing more ideas/thoughts/experiences.

I have a close friendship with the child who I have been mentoring for several years now. We spend one-on-one time together at least once a week both educational and recreational. There is also - what most would probably consider - an unusually special and open communication and relationship with the parents. Sometimes advice is given to the family and the parent is often very accepting of my comments and suggestions.

The teen will be bringing home money from their first job this summer and the parents are asking for some of this money. Times get rough now and then but the family has never had financial problems in the past to where they can't make rent or put food on the table, etc. The reason for the request is for a personal want, not a need. This want is somewhat for the entire family, but also not so. Hard to explain without more details. This teen feels obligated to do as the parent says. I believe that the total amount is more than half of their paychecks. I am seeing both sides of the coin; however red flags are popping up in my mind.

Ironically I have had a similar experience as a child myself and I know how I would handle it now. But being a mentor, I'm obviously in an odd situation. I have my thoughts on how to address this, but am seeking others input first.

Help? Thoughts? Experiences? Suggestions?