NCJ Number
15524
Date Published
1974
Length
127 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSION OF AN EXPLORATORY PROJECT WHICH ATTEMPTED TO IDENTIFY THE SOCIOPSYCHOLOGICAL VARIABLES THAT INFLUENCE THE PARTICIPATION OF BLACK TEENAGERS IN THE LABOR MARKET.
Abstract
THE METROPOLITAN APPLIED RESEARCH CENTER (MARC) STUDIED YOUTHS IN THE CENTRAL HARLEM AND BEDFORD-STUYVESANT SECTIONS OF NEW YORK CITY. THE SPECIFIC AIMS OF THE STUDY WERE TO IDENTIFY VARIABLES WHICH DETERMINE THE NATURE OF EMPLOYMENT, TO EVALUATE TRAINING AND JOB SYSTEMS, TO RECOMMEND POLICY AND PROGRAM CHANGES, AND TO DEVELOP AND FIELD TEST EFFECTIVE DATA COLLECTION METHODS FOR THIS TARGET POPULATION. DATA WAS COLLECTED THROUGH TAPED INFORMAL GROUP DISCUSSION SESSIONS AND QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEYS. THE STUDY IDENTIFIED MANY STRUCTURAL WEAKNESSES IN SEVERAL DELIVERY SYSTEMS IN THEIR NONRESPONSE TO BLACK YOUTH. THESE SYSTEMS INCLUDE EDUCATION, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, MANPOWER PROGRAMS, AND VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE ACTIVITIES. THE STUDY ALSO IDENTIFIED MAJOR EMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS OF BLACK FEMALE TEENAGERS - THE LOW PRIORITY ACCORDED THE BLACK FEMALE TEENAGER, DYSFUNCTIONAL REFERENCE GROUPS, AND MOTIVATIONS. IT WAS FOUND THAT PEER GROUP SUPPORT AND REINFORCEMENT OPERATE IN STRONG AND POSITIVE WAYS TO COUNTERACT SOME OF THESE NEGATIVE INFLUENCES. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE LABOR MARKET ORIENTED PEER GROUP MECHANISM BE TESTED, REFINED AND ASSESSED AS AN INTERVENTION STRATEGY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)