Teen Unemployment Rate Rising as Summer Approaches
JACKSON, Tenn.- A new study analysis released from the Employment Policies Institute showed teen unemployment has risen more than 20 percent over the last four and a half years despite some modest improvements. The study reports that the nation’s teens are on track to suffer through their fifth consecutive summer of difficult job prospects and high unemployment. Area teens told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News that it is nearly impossible to find work from a small pool of jobs that was filled with high competition. “A lot of people are struggling and I just feel we need some more help. Right now we are trying to survive off of food stamps, fixed incomes and social security,” said Zachariah Prather,18. “We don’t need that, we need jobs.” Tennessee’s current unemployment rate is above the national average at 7.9 percent. According to the study, the unemployment rate for teenagers ages 16-19 has risen to 22.7 percent. Employment Policies Institute Research Director Michael Saltsman told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News that one out of every five teens seeking work in Tennessee cannot get a job in the entry level positions they need. Saltsman estimated that more than 4,000 teen jobs could be lost if President Obama’s proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $9 is passed. Economic research from Miami and Trinity University found losses of over 114,000 teen jobs following the last federal minimum increase between 2007 and 2009. Tennessee reportedly had 6,300 fewer teen jobs after the last federal minimum wage increase. “That’s why some kids sell weed and all kinds of stuff because they don’t have money or food and they don’t have school supplies,” said Prather. “They do it because their family is in jeopardy.” Madison County intervention manager Fennix Johnson said honest work keeps many at risk teens on the right track. Johnson said Summer job programs like Juvenile Court Service’s “Going Places” could also be effected. The program helped 42 children last year and is expected to serve 50 children this summer. Johnson said if Minimum wage is increased, in turn the cost of services per child would also increase. “Jobs teach the child responsibility, duty, character and all of the above,” said Johnson.” Children are the future, it saddens me to hear it because that’s less opportunities for a child to learn a job or a trade.” The program helping at-risk teenagers work part time summer jobs, started last year. Officials said during the time the teens were employed, the number of charges filed against a juvenile decreased by 33 percent. Johnson said he believes honest labor keeps teens out of trouble. It is unknown if there is a positive correlation between teen unemployment rates and the number of juvenile offenses. Experts said teens who have a part time job while in high school have a 10 percent increased chance of a higher paying job 6-9 years after graduation.
