NCJ Number
122935
Date Published
1986
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This analysis of unemployment among teenagers and efforts to deal with it reviews the major studies published since 1980.
Abstract
The research shows that the majority of youth make the transition from school to work with ease. However, the concentration of unemployment among a small fraction of youths is cause for concern, because unemployment leads to lower wages in later life and is associated with other problems such as crime and drug addiction. The factor that most strongly affects the aggregate youth unemployment rates is the condition of the labor market, but the literature does not indicate why some youths are more likely to be unemployed than others. Programs focusing on youth unemployment generally focus on specific groups, usually disadvantaged youths. Evaluations have shown limited results in many programs. However, it is clear that service coordination and intervention directed at dropouts are crucial. Setting priorities will also be necessary. Figure, tables, appended charts, and 107 references.