Interesting, but true. There are many reasons, some of which I don't know either. But, what I do know is that parents don't encourage teenagers to work anymore. It is beneath them. The parents will buy them a car and put gas in it and provide them with anything else they want -- it is not a matter of need.
Another factor here in the south is the weather. It is oppressively hot and humid for 8 or 9 months a year. Personally, I enjoy being outside regardless of the weather, but I am unusual in that regard. There is just too much comfort in air conditioning these days.
Another reason is welfare and disability payments. Why work an honest day of labor when you can sit at home or on a stool in front of a slot machine at the truck stop? In our area, this is a BIG cause of labor shortages. Too Many folks willing to live a substandard life just so that they won't have to work.
We will pay people up to $12/hour cash money for farm labor, depending on what you know and what you can do. We never pay less than $8/hour. We will provide you with transportation to and from work at our expense and feed you a good lunch if you have no way to get fed on your own.
In NE Louisiana, these are good wages that will support a modest lifestyle, and a good lifestyle if there is more than one income.
There are few takers.
$12/hour with food and transportation included? And there are no takers in this economy?!?
That’s a pretty good deal, to be honest. As a high schooler or college student, I would’ve taken it.
(But then, I worked at a chicken farm during the summers at college)