Youth EmploymentStudent Name

Social Science 193BWinter 2005

General Background

In July 2004:In July 2004:

~ 21.4 million youth employed~ 21.4 million youth employed

~ 52.3% Asians~ 52.3% Asians

~ 62.6% Latinos~ 62.6% Latinos

~ decreased 55.5% women~ decreased 55.5% women

~ increased 62% males~ increased 62% males(Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S Department of Labor)(Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S Department of Labor)

~ 69.9% Caucasians~ 69.9% Caucasians

~ 57.7% African Americans~ 57.7% African Americans

Insert a diagram that could be attractive here

The Committee on the Health The Committee on the Health and Safety Implications of Child and Safety Implications of Child Labor proposed a state law Labor proposed a state law limiting students to 20 hours a limiting students to 20 hours a week to allow enough time for week to allow enough time for school work and a successful school work and a successful academic performanceacademic performance

Statement of the Problem

Due to the increase of youth employment, researchers speculate problems: CHANGE ORDER OF LIST

~ familial closeness decreases – 1st~ academic achievement decreases 2md~ exposure to drugs and alcohol increases – 4th

~ youth are not finding pertinent jobs – 3rd

Familial InfluenceDisadvantages: Work gives students less time with the family

Advantages:

Students from poorer backgrounds must usually give their paycheck to the family

Acquisition of skills alleviates stressors, as well as increase confidence and self-efficiency

Academic Performance

Inverted U Theory

-less likely to complete high school

-lower GPA than unemployed students

Socio-Motivation

- motivation to do well in school

- low paying minimum wage jobs

Free meals

Employee discounts

Fun environment

Flexible schedules

Good pay

Employment Sought

expose to greater network

work conditions increase stress levels greater rate of substance abuse among employed youth can be attributed to having access to income

DrugExposure

MethodologySite Selection

• Irvine Youth Employment Services is a FREE service offered through the City of Irvine, Community Services department.

• The program assists youths age 16 to 25 with finding jobs and local employers with finding qualified applicants.

IYES matches 700 participants each year with local Orange County Employers

Methodology Field observation

Extensive field notes

Enumeration tables

Client Description

Demographic surveys

Open-ended surveys

Eileen CalivaWeek 1- Wed

Youth Employment 1:30-5:00pm

As I walked into theoffice, I immediatelywalked towards mydesk are to prepare

for my 2:00 appt.

Client A walks intothe office. A is a 1717year oldyear old Caucasian

girl. She is currentlya junior at Irvine

High School.

A: Hello! I'm here tolook for a job. Can

you help me?

FIELD NOTE EXAMPLE

Enumeration TableClientCode

F/M Maj/Min

Age LevelOfPart.

Mood Com.

A F Maj 16 8 =) $$ for colleg.

B M Min 15 5 =I HardSituat.

C M Maj 18 7 =) $$ for car

D F Min 19 10 =) Mom in Cuba

Sample Survey Sample Survey QuestionsQuestionsDemographic SurveyDemographic Survey

-What is your family What is your family income?income?

-Household structure?Household structure?

-What is your ethnicity?What is your ethnicity?

-Class standing?Class standing?

-Gender?Gender?

-Highest intended? Highest intended? degree?degree?

Open-Ended SurveyOpen-Ended Survey- What benefits do you What benefits do you

hope to gain from hope to gain from employment?employment?

- What are your What are your educational goals educational goals after graduating high after graduating high school?school?

- What are your reasons What are your reasons for seeking for seeking employment?employment?

SurveyEnumeration Table

Part.Code

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

A M 17 11th SP PT IHS 70-79,000

Yes B

B F 16 12th 2 P PT WHS

30-39,000

No B

C M 18 10th 2 P PT UHS 80,000

And above

Yes M

Data AnalysisDecoding-

Field Notes Demographic

SurveysOpen-ended Surveys

Findings themes and correlationsMatricesTally sheetsTriangulation

Field Notes

Demographic & Open-endedSurveys

Finding themesAnd correlations

Matrices

Tally Sheets

FINDINGS

Participants By Age (36)

5% 9%

37%31%

16% 2%

15 years old

16 years old

17 years old

18 years old

19 years old and older

No answer

28

118

1 1 13 3

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1

Participants

Caucasian

Asian/Asian American

Latino

Afghan

Indian

Italian

Pacific Islander

African American

Participants By Race/Ethnicity (36)Participants By Race/Ethnicity (36)

Participants By City

Average income for Irvine residents is $62,469Unemployment rate for Irvine residents is 3.7%

vs. Average income in Santa Ana is $36,962

Unemployment rate for Santa Ana is 5.8%.

70%

8%

8%

8% 3% 3%

Irvine Tustin Santa Ana Mission Viejo Laguna Niguel Costa Mesa

Model

Family Pressure

YouthEmployment

FamilyIncome

AcademicFuture Goals

# ofSiblings School

Hours Worked

“ “ I think it would improve my I think it would improve my family relationship because I family relationship because I get to support my family with get to support my family with the check I get” – 17 years oldthe check I get” – 17 years old

Familial Influence - How do you believe employment will affect your family relationships?

Is there family pressure Is there family pressure to find employment?to find employment?

Yes 14

Somewhat 7

No 12

Negatively affect Negatively affect family relationships?family relationships?

YesYes 11

NoNo 1717

FindingsAcademic Performance

How do you feel employment will How do you feel employment will affect your academic performance?affect your academic performance?

It won’t 14

Make me lazy to do homework 1

Affect me a little bit 2 (Make life a little more hectic)

Teach me more patience 1

Make me more responsible 1

Teach me time management 1

“ No, not at all! I mean, I come home and do my homework and that doesn’t take too long. The rest of the time I’m just playing video games anyway.”- 15 years old

Irvine High School Statistics"College is a goal for ninety-five percent of

the freshmen entering Irvine High School. Approximately fifty percent of our graduating seniors enter a four year university, forty-five percent enter a community college for transfer to a university or a trade/technical school, and five percent go from school to work or military service."

(http://irvinehigh.org/information/wasc)

FindingsAcademic Performance

School Status

87%

9% 4%

In School

Not In School

Thinking About Going Back

Highest Intended Degree

56%

17%

7%

20%

Bachelors AA High School Masters

FindingsEmployment Sought

Desired Jobs

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1

Types of Jobs

Nu

mb

er o

f P

articip

an

ts

Food Services

Unloader/Loader

Office Job

Police

Childcare

Retail

Sales

Any

“ I get really good discounts on my clothes?! I just hope all the money I make won’t go into

me shopping at the store!” – 16 years old

Employment Factors

02468

1012141618

1

Factors

Nu

mb

er o

f P

arti

cip

ants

Fun work experience

Gain experience

Discounts

Good location

Flexible hours

Money

Easy

Research LimitationsLimited to one location

Limited on time – lack of longitudinal study

Because researcher is a part of the IYES team, participants might be afraid to answer some questions truthfully

Implications• Research- More data needs

to be collected from a diverse and wide range of participants

- Longitudinal studies need to be conducted in order to receive better accurate information

• Practice- Employment agencies and

school need to provide resources for students to gain experience (not just fast food, retail, etc.)

- Schools and parents need to take responsibility of their students/children and follow up on academics during employment

- Employers need to be flexible and open with student workers and follow the hourly laws

THANK YOU!