III. MOST TEENAGERS WORK IN INDUSTRIES ONLY RECENTLY COVERED BY THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT

The Fair Labor Standards Act has been
extended in the past decade to three
industries (agriculture, retail trade, and
services) that have traditionally been the
major sources of employment for teenagers
(Chart IV). This extension has probably
limited the growth of new job opportunities
for teenagers in an area that should provide
greatest employment opportunity for them.
This makes it important to have a pay rate
differential.

Chart IV

Change in Coverage of Jobs Affected by the Minimum Wage

TWO OUT OF THREE TEENAGE JOBS ARE IN INDUSTRIES WHERE COVERAGE WAS GREATLY EXTENDED BY THE 1961 AND 1966 AMENDMENTS

IV. EFFECTS OF STAYING IN SCHOOL

A growing proportion of teenagers (Chart V) are staying in school while working. In order to improve the opportunity for these students to gain work experience and add to their income, it will be necessary to encourage creation of more part-time jobs. Many of the existing jobs are marginal and may disappear if employers are required to pay higher wage rates.

The growing gap between unemployment of 16- and 17-year olds (the age group most likely to be in school) and 18- and 19-year olds is shown in Chart VI. Although unemployment was high for both age groups, it was especially severe for 16 and 17 year

olds.

Chart V

Most 16 and 17 Year Olds Who Work Attend School

1969

1965

1960

Percent of 16 and 17 year olds in school

30

60

77

MOST 16 AND 17 YEAR OLDS WHO ARE WORKING ARE STUDENTS

1955

64

70

83

80

Chart VI

The Gap in Average Unemployment Rates has Widened Between Younger (16 and 17) and Older (18 and 19) Teenagers