SC has a higher rate of at-risk youth than most US states. Here’s why and where it ranks
Young people face life challenges in South Carolina at a higher rate than most other places in the United States, a new study shows.
South Carolina has the seventh highest rate of at-risk youth among the states, according to the latest WalletHub study. The Palmetto State has a larger percentage of teenagers and young adults who face struggles with multiple issues, from education and health to poverty and jobs.
Overall, 12.6% of young Americans are neither working or in school, which exposes them to greater risk of poverty and violence, the personal finance website’s report states.
“State and local policymakers need to provide ample opportunities for recreation and healthy outlets for youth in rural areas. This can help youth to remain engaged in positive activities that promote wellness,” Johanna Slivinske, MSW, LISW-S – Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health and Counseling Services; Part-time Faculty of Social Work, Kent State University, told WalletHub.
The report compares the states using 16 key indicators of youth risk. The data set ranges from the share of disconnected youth to the labor force participation rate among youth and their poverty rates. Data was pulled from multiple sources, such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, The Nation’s Report Card, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Here is where South Carolina ranked among some key metrics compared to other states.
12th – % of Disconnected Youth
17th – % of Youth Without a High School Diploma
28th – % of Overweight & Obese Youth
18th – Youth Labor Force Participation Rate
22nd – Youth Poverty Rate
13th – Share of Population Aged 12 and Older Fully Vaccinated
Michael Krezmien, director for youth engagement and professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, told WalletHub that parents can support and encourage their children in multiple ways to help them complete school and find meaningful employment.
“First, parents can advocate for their schools to provide innovative and engaging after-school and summer educational programs that provide their children with meaningful experiences beyond those they receive in their typical classes,” he said. “Second, parents can identify a range of summer programs that focus on learning in multiple domains. These can include art intensive programs, STEM-focused programs, and tech programs.”
Below are the the 10 places with the most at-risk youth in the nation, according to WalletHub.
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
- Arkansas
- South Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Kentucky
- District of Columbia
This story was originally published July 15, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
