The unemployment rate in the U.S.A. does not include 14 to 15 year-olds. However, there are a large number of 14 to 15 year-olds who work. In a recent study, it was found that people who work during their early teenage years share certain common characteristics.
The study found this about early teenage employment:
The study also found that Hispanics, blacks, and females all work in lesser numbers than whites and males. This seems to mimic current demographic trends in the current workforce. The study states that those who work at the ages of 14 and 15 are better workers in the future. However, the authors cannot conclude whether the jobs create a better work ethic or whether those that works at 14 and 15 are already good workers.
Source: Koushik Ghosh, Does Early Work Experience Matter? Journal of Economics, Volume XXV, No. 1, 2000.
For more on Workforce Participation – Younger Workers
http://www.ncpa.org/pd/economy/econ5.html
