As New York’s economy struggles to recover from the nationwide recession, unemployment and poor job prospects continue to affect not just adult workers, but younger generations as well. However, the causes of the problems teens face trying to enter the workforce are not limited to the country’s financial woes. Furthermore, the long-term effects go beyond the loss of extra spending money.

Reuters cited a report from Northeastern University’s Center for Labor Market Studies to illustrate that the summer job outlook is worse than ever for teens. Even more alarming, their struggles now may make it harder for for teens to find full-time work later in life.

Mae Anderson of the Associated Press points out that the combination of unemployed teens and parents facing lower or non-existent wages is making retailers nervous, especially during the critical back-to-school shopping season.

According to the Wall Street Journal, children who are part of the city’s foster care system are facing a much greater struggle to find employment than their peers. The WSJ article takes its cue from a report entitled, “Fostering Careers” published by the Center for an Urban Future.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a plan to combat the disparities between young black and Latino men and their peers, including in the job market. Part of the initiative is aimed at creating better ways to guide them toward employment.

The New York Times reports that Bloomberg also cited the initiative as a potential remedy for the rash of shootings that occurred over Labor Day weekend.