Millions of U.S. youth are sitting at home without school or work: experts blame out-of-touch education

In the US, more than 4 million members of Generation Z are neither in school nor working. But the generation's laziness is not to blame. Experts criticize "useless degrees" and a system that "fails to deliver on its promises." Yahoo tells in more detail.

There has been a massive disruption to Generation Z and their careers. Around a quarter of young people are no longer in school or working.

Generation Z is a term used around the world for people born, according to various classifications, from approximately the mid-1990s to the early 2010s.

Many members of this generation find themselves frozen in an increasingly tough labor market, where white-collar jobs seem to be becoming out of reach.

There are 4,3 million young people in the United States who are neither in school nor working. They are called the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) generation or the neither-nor (Spanish: ni estudia ni trabaja) generation.

The NEET generation is made up of young people who, due to various economic, social or political factors, are not working and don't learn.

“In many cases they were sent to universities for useless diplomas"which gave them nothing," political commentator and journalist Peter Hitchens criticised the colleges. "They would have been much better off if they had become apprentice plumbers or electricians. They could then have looked forward to a much more abundant and satisfying life."

The Role of Higher Education in the Rise of the NEET Generation

There is no doubt that certain fields of study provide a more direct link to a long-term career, such as the health care field. In the U.S. alone, more than a million new jobs are expected to be created in the next decade among home health aides and registered nurses.

On the subject: 11 Jobs That Could Disappear in 2025: Humans Will Be Replaced by AI

On the other hand, millions of students graduate each year with degrees that are less in demand. Such education leaves young people unemployed and struggling to make ends meet.

Higher education has always been considered the only reliable path to success. Practice has shown that this is far from true. Other paths should be discussed more.

Lewis Malech is the CEO of Bentley Lewis, a recruiting and talent agency. He says colleges need to do a better job of communicating with students about employment, as well as non-academic barriers to entry.

“Universities are not setting students up to fail, but the system is not delivering on its promise,” Maleh said. “The current data challenges the traditional assumption that higher education automatically leads to economic security.”

What Caused the NEET Crisis and What Can Be Done

Rising prices for everything from rent and gas to groceries and textbooks have taken a toll on Generation Z, with some even having to turn down dream job offers because they couldn't afford the commute or office clothes.

The job market is changing by the minute thanks to artificial intelligence. It’s no wonder that Generation Z finds it more enjoyable to sit at home than to manage an economy completely different from the one their teachers promised them.

Motivating millions of young people to return to school or work will be a challenge, a UN agency warns.

Efforts should include apprenticeships and internships, as well as building stronger links across industries and education systems. Better and more personalised career guidance is key.

“You don’t know what your options are. No one is helping you, and the next step feels risky or out of reach. It’s no wonder so many young people stop,” concluded Jeff Bulanda, vice president of Jobs for the Future. “The question isn’t why they stop. The question is why we don’t recognize that the old ways aren’t working anymore. Young people need more options and support to help them where they are.”