Boys Gender and Schooling > What about the boys? >

Economic change

Economic change has been an important factor backgrounding concerns about boys' education. Global economic change has been far reaching, with the youth labour market suffering specific consequences.

Global economic change over recent years has been dramatic and diverse:

Globalisation has reduced the economic sovereignty of individual countries.
Rapid restructuring has created an emphasis on competition and performance on a new scale.
Employment in manufacturing has shrunk, taking many traditional, skilled, male, working-class jobs.
The service sector is expanding, demanding communication and interpersonal skills (often traditionally perceived as feminine).
There is high and seemingly permanent youth and sectoral unemployment.
A widening gap between rich and poor is exacerbated by a shrinking social safety net.

For many people such economic changes bring hardship, social upheaval and a growing sense of grievance, apprehension and uncertainty. As traditional areas of skilled male employment have diminished, many boys must rely more heavily on school achievement for their working futures. This has generated a sharper focus on boys' performance at school.

Youth labour market

The impact of globalisation has changed the youth labour market radically.
Kenyon et al. (2001:14-16) cite the following:

Internationally, about 60 million young people between 15 and 24 search for work … with few exceptions, youth unemployment is in double digits. (International Labour Organisation 1998)
40% of all unemployed Australians are under the age of 24 years, that is, 2 in 5 of the unemployed are young people. (Spierings 1998)
Full-time jobs for 15-19 year olds decreased by 43% in the decade to 1998, leaving less than 17% in full-time jobs, compared with 60% during the 1960s. (ABS Labour Force Survey 1998)
Part-time and casual work has increased significantly. In the last 20 years, overall job numbers grew by 40% but the number of part-time jobs increased by more than 133% to represent more than 25% of total employment. (Barnes et al. 1999:xix)
Youth labour markets have become highly fragmented, with most work being 'casualised'. An estimated 10% of teenagers spend years between intermittent casual work and periods of unemployment. (Kenyon et al. 2001:15)
In 1998 alone, more than 300 000 teenagers held low-skilled casual or part-time jobs while studying at secondary or tertiary level. More than 60 000 others struggled to find full-time work. Nearly 13 000 had been unemployed for more than a year. (Spierings 1998)

Consequences of the changed youth labour market

(summarised from Kenyon et al. 2001:16)

Employers have set new quality standards for employees. A Year 10 pass no longer guarantees access to training or employment.
Traditionally, youth employment in manufacturing, retail, and food and beverage services has not required extensive formal training. However, new technology and more emphasis on consumer service skills and personal presentation have changed this.
Job competition means that those with higher educational and skill levels are moving into jobs and apprenticeships that previously required lower entrance standards.
Employers now look for qualified employees familiar with job processes who have highly effective personal and communication skills and the abilities needed for both team and independent work.

Global change - Local impact new window 34k new window examines how global economic shifts have changed youth employment and created new demands for interpersonal skills.

^ Top of page