Exactly and how many of those are truly looking for work.
I would guess the vast majority of them are looking for work. My own two children, now grown up, have worked full or part time since they turned age 16. I had my first full time summer job when I was between 8th and 9th grade in school, granted that was a long time ago (1954).
I would also point out that the vast majority of aliens, legal and illegal, are making above minimum wage in California, currently set at $7.50 per hour (due to increase to $8.00 per hour on 1 Jan. 2008). Local municipalities may look the other way as far as firms hiring illegals, but they frown on anyone paying less than minimum wage. It is estimated that landscapers in Calif. get 99% of their workers from legal and illegal alien groups, mainly those of hispanic or latino origin. Those workers average about $8-10 per hour.
The poverty line in California is estimated at about $25,000 per year based on a family of four. This amount does not include non-cash benefits such as food stamps, school lunches, and public subsidized housing and education.