LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – THV11 looked into a national and local issue focused on unemployment among black teens. Arkansas is at record lows when it comes to unemployment in the state.
But, data from the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services showed the jobless rate for black teenagers remains persistently high.
So, 11 Listens found out why and what's being done to address the problem. Arkansas’ unemployment rate currently holds steady at 3.8 percent, a sign of stable growth. But when you look at the number of jobless teens ages 16-19, African Americans are significantly higher.
“It's a scandalous situation and has been for quite some time," said Greg Kaza, Arkansas Policy Foundation.
Kaza has studied the data for years. Right now, unemployment rates show 18 percent of African American teens are currently unemployed; More than double that of Caucasian and Hispanic teens; More than four times the state's unemployment rate. Arkansas Workforce Services Director Daryl Bassett said it's still considerably better than our bordering states.
“That number is as good as it's ever been in Arkansas. We’re doing great across the entire age spectrum, yet that number is still high. We're not satisfied with that number."
In 2015, the youth African American unemployment rate was as high as 34.8 percent. So, compared to 2018 there has been significant improvements. Still, it's a nationwide issue that remains unresolved. So, the question is: Why?
“From 1900 to 1959, the black labor participation rate was equal to or better than those of whites ironically, something happened from the 60's on and that was when the disparities really showed up," said Bassett.
A groundbreaking report in 1965 by sociologist Daniel Patrick Moynihan indicated that this trend started in the 1960’s when the out-of-wedlock birthrate rose to 25 percent among African Americans. At that time, that was roughly eight times higher than Caucasians and that number has relentlessly climbed from there.
“If you're not coming from a two-parent family, that's one more obstacle you have to overcome as a young person, that stability and that's what that report speaks to," said Kaza.
Pfiefer Kiwanis Executive Director Sanford Tollette has been working to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children for decades. He agreed there is a breakdown in the African American family structure and a lack of positive role models, but added there are several other barriers.
“[In] the justice system once a young person makes a mistake and maybe they get a felony then that's a brand on that minority child and it follows them," explained Tollette.
At the Kiwanis Camp, children as young as eight years old learn about life skills and work ethic. Once they're old enough, Tollette hires them to help out at the camp. He said while most of his graduates are successful in the workforce, others are not.
“There are good kids that can't get in the door because of how they look and if I can say it [it’s] because they're black," he added.
“Another factor is discrimination, it exists and that's why we have government to investigate and look into those claims when they arise," Kaza said. But, the Arkansas Workforce is working toward solutions to close the gap. Bassett said, “We recognize that the biggest impediment to these teenagers finding employment is transportation and so one of the things we're provided is gas cards and bus cards."
Since January 2018, the Arkansas Workforce has held 125 job fairs to address this demographic of teens. There's also numerous youth employment programs across the state.
“The bottom line is getting your high school diploma and trying to learn a skill that will make you employable is the single most important thing you can do to becoming employed," said Kaza.
For more information on the Arkansas Workforce Services’ unemployment programs, click here.
Below are several programs to help youth find employment: