More than just a job
This summer, like those in the past, many teenagers will spend their school breaks looking for work, but the sad reality is that many won’t find it. For years, economists, politicians, and community leaders have been sounding the alarm about the growing youth job crisis. The teen unemployment rate is over 20 percent, compared with less than 7 percent for workers of all ages. A recent study by the Brookings Institute found that the percentage of working teens in the United States dropped to just 24 percent percent in 2011, down from 44 percent in 2000. The study also showed that in Greater Boston, only one in three teens held a job. For many teens, a summer job is more than just a paycheck. It’s a chance to learn how to meet deadlines, be accountable, and contribute to a team. These skills build character and the job experience can put teens on...