Teenagers are feeling the effects of the economic slowdown this summer as they scramble unsuccessfully to find employment. The unemployment rate for teenagers has increased 2.2 percent since June 2000 compared to an increase of .5 percent for all workers. The main benefit of summer employment for teenagers is having more money to spend or save for college but an added benefit may be a reduction in criminal behavior by keeping teenagers busy.
See "Summer Jobs are Hard to Come By", Alan B. Krueger, The New York Times, July 18, 2001