The Effects of Unemployment on the Socio-economic Status of Youth: Its Impact on the Mechanisms in Chipinge Urban, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study was carried out with the objective of trying to explore the effects of unemployment on the socio-economic status of youth as well as highlighting the impact of unemployment on the coping mechanisms of youth in Chipinge urban district. The study covered selected 2 wards from Chipinge urban. There was the use of the survey research design and this enabled data collection using a questionnaires and interviews with key informants. Desk review of important documents from the Ministry of Youth, Development and Empowerment was also employed. A Pilot study was done before the main study in wards 5 and 7 of Chipinge urban. The findings of this study showed that the effects of unemployment on socio-economic status of youth impacts negatively on youth coping mechanisms in Chipinge urban. Due to the prevailing situation in the area of study and the country as a whole, most youth are left with little or no option except resorting to negative coping mechanisms which contributes to the low status and low regard of youth in the communities where they live. This exposure to negative coping mechanisms has some ripple effects on the youth as well as the community at large. Related to the findings was the realisation of the lack of inclusion and involvement of youth in policy design and implementation that affect the status and well- being of the youth hence the finding that youth are excluded in the economic activities of their countries. The study has also come up with some recommendations on how the Government and other key players can address these challenges being faced by the youth. Key recommendations hinge on the need to embrace youth and involve them in the planning and design of key policies and economic activities so that they do not feel marginalized and secluded from issues that affect them.