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Opinion: How our economy and the government are failing New Zealand's youth
By Rick Boven In the course of assessing New Zealand's performance as a nation, the New Zealand Institute has observed a disturbing pattern. New Zealand's adequate overall performance on some social measures masks poor outcomes for young people. Several organisations including the Salvation Army, Child Poverty Action Group and The Foundation for Youth Development have raised concerns about outcomes for children and young people in New Zealand. Our research shows that New Zealand's youth are more disadvantaged than youth in other OECD countries. New Zealand performs relatively well at the basics of primary and secondary education but then fails many youth on the brink of adulthood. New Zealand students consistently score among the highest in the OECD on standardised tests in reading and mathematics at age 15. However, the enrolment rate for 15 - 19 year olds and the school completion rate in New Zealand are among the lowest in the OECD. Prior to the recession, New Zealand had one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the OECD, so many of those leaving school early could find work. In 2007, ten percent of those aged 15 - 24 were unemployed, slightly lower than the OECD average of 12%. The youth unemployment rate in New Zealand in December 2009 was 17%, one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the OECD. How can we expect world-class economic performance and social outcomes with a population in which so many struggle into adulthood?
Young people in New Zealand are carrying much more of the unemployment load than youth in other countries. The OECD reports that 30% of the unemployed in New Zealand in 2008 were aged 15 - 19, compared with 12% on average for OECD countries. Early departures from the school system and youth unemployment are more likely for people who are disadvantaged. Measures of inequality show that, while real incomes for New Zealanders on average have been growing, the average income of the poorest 20% of the population has remained stable over the last 20 years. That history demonstrates that New Zealand cannot rely on growing average prosperity to address issues for those who are disadvantaged. Following the early 1990s recession, New Zealand's youth suicide rate rose dramatically and was amongst the highest in the world. Programmes to reduce the rate of youth suicide have been very successful, with the risk of suicide for people aged between 15 and 24 reducing by almost half between 1995 and 2007. Despite that impressive reduction, New Zealand's suicide rate for people aged 15 to 19 remains among the highest in the OECD. Yet the overall suicide rate for New Zealand is about average within the OECD. Suicide is another measure where young people in New Zealand fare poorly relative to adults. Young New Zealanders have a high risk of issues with alcohol, violent crime is a problem, and many young adults are incarcerated. These issues may be connected with unsuccessful transitions from school to work. Last August the New Zealand Government committed $152 million to assist an estimated 17,000 unemployed youth into work or tertiary education. While this is a positive step, there are nearly 64,000 unemployed 15 "“ 24 year olds in December. Young people are the future of the nation. Many do not yet have the vote, and most have few economic resources. It is our responsibility as leaders and adults to get them off to a good start in life. These outcomes demonstrate that we are not yet doing a good enough job. As Government considers priorities and investments to promote economic growth, with worthy competing demands for investment and difficult fiscal constraints, it should carefully assess the short and long term benefits from reducing youth neglect. Investing wisely in our youth provides economic and social benefits for us all. *Rick Boven is the director of The New Zealand Institute
15 Comments
It's a shame the government
It's a shame the government has to resort to ambulance at the bottom of the hill strategies to stem the flow of youth unemployment. 64,000 young people without jobs in a country our size is an astonishing figure. Lets not forget that number is not alone the result of those who have fallen through the cracks.
Without a firm figure I would suggest a surprising percentage would be made up of university or polytech graduates who have have been unable to find work. What a demoralising situation for the youth of this country. Talk about starting on the backfoot. Meanwhile, forced to line up for the dole, graduates have to listen to a Prime Minister joke about passing shares in a uranium producer on to his twelve year old son, only to have them rejected due to their undesirable value per share. While the comment may have been an 'off the cuff' aside, it may pay for John Key to remember what it's like for those without. Perhaps a reality check back to his days living in the Christchurch suburb of Bryndwr. Yes, John Key's story is an impressive one and something to aspire to, but don't forget the all expenses paid education he received along the way. That too goes for most of those operate the corridors of power.
I challenge them to try entering the country's property market with a 30 thousand dollar student debt to clear and miserable job prospects. No wonder the suicide rate is climbing. We may have a beautiful country, festooned with idyllic beaches, mountains and the rest, but what good is any of that if you can't afford to pay the rent and feed yourself. I think next most interesting statistic to analyse in the months to come will be the traffic flow through the nation's departure lounges. I just hope those in power are prepared to look after themselves during their retirement years, because as it stands they're doing a superb job at asking graduates to leave.
I'll second the issue with
I'll second the issue with the school-work transition. A lot of the problem is that young people simply don't know what they want to do with their lives ... and idle hands and minds lead to mischief, and when all your friends are in the same situation it's even worse.
A young chap I know is in this situation - starting to get into trouble with the law, he's presently on bail with relatives away from his home town. Away from all the bad influences he's an asset to society: polite, law-abiding and willing to do his bit. Even now he doesn't know what he wants to do with his life, and that's a problem. But if he ever does work out his calling, I'd bet we'd never have a problem with him again.
Sometimes I imagine a Grand Nanny State, where every single child is required on a yearly basis to see a counselor from, say, age 10 up. A catch-up for half an hour or so where they go over what the kid likes to do, problems they're having in life, what they see themselves doing in future.
The counselor would have a proactive role: this kid is interested in music? Get 'em some time with some real musicians and instruments. Cars? Get them access to a practical environment where they can pull stuff apart and put it back together. Sports? Ensure they're put in touch with the right sport club. And have the govt subsidise it all if necessary. Better to pay now if it avoids the dole a few years down the track.
And if the kid doesn't know what they want to do, have a feel around, suggest things, give them options that their parents can't. Everyone's good at something, and if we can help them find it we all benefit.
I'd also imagine the counselor may also pick up early warning signs of coming problems too, and possibly be able to head them off before they get worse.
Of course the Nanny State would be considered invasive, and in the real world it'd probably get bound up in bureaucracy and political correctness, not to mention recruiting the right people as counselors and giving them the infrastructure they need; but it's nice to dream of what could be achieved. I wonder if there are ways to get some of the benefits without the downsides...
Decrease the minimum wage and
Decrease the minimum wage and youth emplyment will skyrocket up.
Without visionary elements in politics
Without visionary elements in politics and economics we are stagnating economically, politically and socially. Adding new segments to our economy, in order to create quality employment is vital.
(Please read and understand this in context to many of my other articles)
Considering the correlations of events the situation here in New Zealand is moving into desperation "“ an economical and social collapse.
Therefore I don't understand why political Parties, Government and the Private Sector not try harder to achieve unity. This country needs urgently visionary results to overcome a severe crisis.
How much longer can we afford the silly "Head Putting Games" ?
"“
I think the pursuance and achievement of political and economic unity within a nation is a great vision in it selves "“ the best and most important start to deal with the current severe crisis.
"“
I'm sure this statement will become of great value sooner then most people think.
Walter
Sadly, Walter, political and economic
Sadly, Walter, political and economic unity requires 'a loss of face'; a willingness to accept that, just maybe, the other side has a point to it's agruement. That's not what Westminster style, (propose and oppose) politics is about. It's not long till the next election. This time we don't have to have 'change for change sake'; and this government's term WILL be judged in the isolation of it's current acheivements.
So what this is saying,
So what this is saying, is that the proverbial is now hitting the fan...
For the last 30 to 40 yrs we have a social engineer program going on..."oh johnny is just expressing himself" do bloody gooder libertarian attitude in this country...and many other around the world...
Our Grand parents and great grand parents have been shuddering , seeing what has been happening, and been predicting this out come for yrs...
But what would these old foggies know?...hey they brought their children up in a depression, knew the meaning of discipline.
And what would our teachers know? they spend to much time dealing with social issues rather than able to teach...they have been saying this for decades now.
And what would todays and yesterdays parents know....well nothing , they where brought up in the "johnny is just expressing himself" environment and pass it onto their children.
Yes we achieve very well at top level of OCED countries...and have a good look at those families, they are 'Old school" families.
We now have a society of "ME" and "I" rather than "US" and "our children 1st"
How to fix it? well that is now going to take a generation that has just got to be forced to harden up...or go hungry....
When we brought our children up, I refused to accept the new stds, I questioned every day if what I was doing was right...Now with a recession on, and see my children (as parents) handling unemployment, willing to head off from their families for weeks on end to put food on the table....I have no regrets, they know how to harden up, do what they have to survive and get ahead.
Rick Boven
"These outcomes demonstrate that we are not yet doing a good enough job. As Government considers priorities and investments to promote economic growth, with worthy competing demands for investment and difficult fiscal constraints, it should carefully assess the short and long term benefits from reducing youth neglect."
You have it so wrong, you have been indoctrinated with the social engineering BS...Oh the Government has to fix this attitude...
Bottom line it is putting the responsibility back on the parents and families...and give them the choice of if they want to be hungry, or do what they have to.
And do what they have to...see all those concrete bridges on the highways, built by hand, by fathers and sons who where given a choice...starve or work in the hills for months on end getting their hands dirty and sweat on the brow.
"And what would our teachers
"And what would our teachers know? they spend to much time dealing with social issues rather than able to teach"(sic)...get the cane often did we Steps!
In Germany and other countries,
In Germany and other countries, they are required to serve the Amry, Navy, Air Force, etc or a community service type career for 1-3 years straight out of school or university. (I got this from German back-packers so not sure if it's 100% correct)
Wally Says: “And what would
Wally Says:
"And what would our teachers know? they spend to much time dealing with social issues rather than able to teach"(sic)"¦get the cane often did we Steps!"
No m8.. but it was a matter of 'honour' to to do something to get it once a yr...
I learnt by accident a few yrs back that my old headmaster was also a good friend of my old man....good to chat over things from back then...yeah they knew the honour thing, and played the game too lol
And by the way that was a sarcastic remark I made.
Plenty of vacancies in teaching
Plenty of vacancies in teaching Steps...have a go.
The wife finishes her teaching
The wife finishes her teaching degree this yr..full time
I have worked in the education idustry for over 10yrs now
Rick Boven, you are talking
Rick Boven, you are talking rubbish. Disadvantage My A**, the young people who get into trouble are the ones with no goals, no aspirations. It's all about how you view the world, are you a sheep who just follows your mates around or do you stand on your own feet and do something yourself. Anything, it does not matter, just have a goal and work towards it.
I travelled, left school, saved for a year then went off at 19 to explore the world. I was away for 7 years. I still don't know what I really want to do but I've tried a few things along the way and seen a few sights. One constant thing is I always have a goal I'm working towards, something positive and achievable and when I get that goal I start the next one. I guess i'm always looking forward.
Look at John Key, he came from a dis-advantaged background but he turned it into a positive influence by using it as something to drive his goal setting.
It's all about your own mind and in that respect we all have the power to control things for ourselves.
School 1960 vs. School 2010
School 1960 vs. School 2010
Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1960 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up mates.
2010 - Police are called, SWAT team arrives and arrests Johnny and Mark. Mobiles with video of fight confiscated as evidence. They are charged with assault, AVOs are taken out and both are suspended even though Johnny started it. Diversionary conferences and parent meetings conducted. Video shown on 6 internet sites.
Scenario: Jeffrey won't sit still in class, disrupts other students.
1960 - Jeffrey is sent to the principal's office and given a good paddling. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2010 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. Counselled to death. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra funding because Jeffrey has a disability. Drops out of school.
Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1960 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2010 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. Psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mum has an affair with the psychologist. Psychologist gets a promotion.
Scenario: Mark, a college student, brings cigarettes to school.
1960 - Mark shares a smoke with the school principal out on the smoking area.
2010 - Police are called and Mark is expelled from School for drug possession. His car is searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario: Vinh fails high school English.
1960 - Vinh goes to Remedial English, passes and goes to college.
2010 - Vinh's cause is taken up by local human rights group. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that making English a requirement for graduation is racist. Civil Liberties Association files class action lawsuit against state school system and his English teacher. English is banned from core curriculum. Vinh is given his Y10 anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.
Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers, puts them in a model plane paint bottle and blows up an anthill.
1960 - Ants die.
2010 - Security and ASIO are called and Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. Teams investigate parents, siblings are removed from the home, computers are confiscated, and Johnny's dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
Scenario: Johnny falls during recess and scrapes his knee. His teacher, Mary, finds him crying, and gives him a hug to comfort him.
1960 - Johnny soon feels better and goes back to playing.
2010 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces three years in prison. Johnny undergoes five years of therapy. Becomes gay.
I find myself agreeing with
I find myself agreeing with some of the things this author writes, but also some of the criticisms.
I think in reality there is truth in both views.
Certainly we have an ingrained system that is distorted in faovur of the baby boomers. 18 year olds today face a mountain of debt to get through UNI then look up the cliff at absurd house prices. Taxation policy is fundamentally suited to baby boomers who got through uni at the tax payer's expense and have creamed the taxpayer some through creaming the taxation benefits of property.
at the same time I do agree with some of the comments above that personal responsibility and motivation is very important too, not to mention family environments. So many dysfunctional family scenarios in modern society is definitely behind the youth problems. Also factor in drugs, and the fact that over the past 25 years the birth rates of low income kiwis often with disproportionately greater social problems have been much higher
I think just having an
I think just having an interest in something is good. If you have no interest in anything how can anyone be expected to succeed. Kids these days don't have the drive and ambition to explore, to get out and see things for themselves. I blame video games. We all need a dose of Ed (or Peter) Hillary in us. We have to knock the bastard off. bastard in this case being life, we have to get out and do things.
Drugs - honestly we are here on Earth for such a short time, they are just wasting the time you do have. I am not religious at all. I believe we have just one life we owe it to our own existence to make the most of it. You only get one shot at life. If you waste it don't expect others to pick you up.
Also Nationalism is such an outdated concept these days. We are citizens of Earth, not just a little island in the Pacific. the opportunities are almost endless if we can look outside our own narrow, mostly self imposed, boundaries.
Personally I don't care what JK does or does not do, I control my life, not him and certainly not the Govt.
To blame the Govt is such a cop out for not taking individual responsibility
In short - get an education ( which we all have access to - NZ is excellent in this regard ) and be a citizen of the world.
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