Put Us to Work

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/the_dead_end_kids_AnwaWNOGqsXMuIlGONNX1K

The unemployment rate for Americans aged 16-24 has risen to 53.4%. That figure is appalling, although not too surprising, given the number of people I personally know to have lost their jobs or have had trouble finding new employment. In fact, I often question my own job security.

Even though this cohort includes young people enrolled in high school and college that are not working, it also includes recent college grads (age 22-24) and the unemployment rate is never this high for this age group. The article cites a figure that 6.9 million jobs have been lost among this group. Not only have millions of jobs been lost, but there have been no jobs created for a demographic that typically absorbs new, entry-level jobs.

I have several bones to pick with the allocation of stimulus money and the Federal Government's overall response to this economic crisis. But the most alarming effect has been how young adults have essentially been economically sucker-punched. Recent college graduates are perhaps the most innovative, ambitious, and capable group of workers (or non-workers in this case). On top of this, we are more willing to work for far less of a salary than our more "seasoned" colleagues.

Common Since: Policies that create more jobs for the educated and motivated.