U.S. Teens Face Worst Summertime Hiring Since World War II

U.S. Teens Face Worst Summertime Hiring Since World War II: For the third year in a row, American teenagers hoping to land summer jobs will face the worst teen hiring slump since World War II.

The unemployment rate for 16- to 19-year-olds is 24.9 percent nationally, and in some major cities the rate is much higher. In Washington, DC, the teen unemployment rate is 51.7 percent.

Many are concerned that millions of younger Americans will be denied the all-important work experience that comes from holding a summertime job:

"What I would ask people to think about is: Who gave you your first work experience? Almost every one of us had a break to get their first job, and that work experience is essential to get your second and third job," said Larry Frank, Los Angeles deputy mayor of neighborhood and community services.

The summertime teenager hiring slump also holds implications for keeping kids out of trouble:

See original work for more on this and other stories.