A few weeks ago, I took issue with a WSJ article claiming teen summer job prospects were being hurt increased competition from older workers and teens. (The WSJ later ran "Employers Beef Up Summer Hiring" providing even more reason to discount the article about dismal teen employment prospects.) USA Today reports that half of teens are forgoing summer jobs. The article cites both increasing family wealth (correct, imho) and the bit about about increased competition (incorrect, imho). One way to shed some light on the competiting hypotheses is to look at teen unemployment. The BLS reports that the teen unemployment rate in June was 15.8%, up 0.4 from June 2006 but well below the 16.4%, 16.8%, and 19.3% for 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. The slight uptick this year may indicate a more competitive job market for teens but the overall downward trend in teen unemployment is more consistent with rising family wealth making teens choose not to work in the summer.

I'm spending this week and next at the Clemson/BB&T Economics Summer Camp for Exceptional High School Students. The students are indeed exceptional; I'm thrilled to be involved. A shout out to DOL readers at Clemson, especially those participating in the camp.