TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENT

PAGE

Acknowledgement

Introduction

Statement of Problem

Reason for Selecting the Area of

Research

Method of Investigation

Data Collection Instrument

7-10

Procedures for Data Collection

11

Presentation and Explanation of Data

12-19

Analysis and Interpretation of Data

20-22

Statement of Findings

23

Recommendation and
Implementation Strategy

24

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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Cooperation is a word that when transformed into actions wrought countless benefits. It is with
this in mind that I take the time out to thank all the persons who assisted me while I work to
complete this research. Firstly, I would like to thank God Almighty who endowed the strength
and ability needed to complete this research on me. Secondly, thanks to my teacher Ms.Nordia
Samuels who ably guided me while I endeavoured to complete this investigation. Thirdly, thanks
to the residents who took the time out to complete the given questionnaires. Without them this
research would not have been possible. I also want to extend thanks to my family who provided
me with support and love while I completed this research. In a synopsis, let me just say, I thank
you all.

INTRODUCTION

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Unemployment is a social issue that has been on the rise in our communities and country at
large. This research seeks to find out the causes, effects and possible solutions to unemployment
amongst youth in the community.
Within the confines of this research, viewers will be able to find the views of the residents of the
community under investigation as it relates to the aforementioned topic. These views will be
presented and analysed and recommendations will be provided in an effort to combat this social
issue in the community.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
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What are the causes, effects and possible solutions to unemployment amongst youth in my
community?

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What causes unemployment amongst youth in the community?
2. How does unemployment amongst youth affects the community?
3. What can be done to alleviate the level of unemployment amongst youth in the
community?

REASON FOR SELECTING THE AREA OF RESEARCH

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Problems are no respecter of colour, creed, religion or status; like the sun rises on a rainless day
so too does problems rise in our homes, communities and society at large. Though the researcher
has accepted the fact that problems are inevitable, she also believes that to every problem there
are causes, effects and possible solutions. It is with this in mind that the researcher has decided to
investigate the causes, effects and possible solutions to unemployment amongst youth in the
community.
It is the researchers aim to make the breeder of this social issue infertile because she is aware
that it is more likely to affect the community and society negatively than positively.
Unemployment is a social issue the researcher believes need immediate attention and has
therefore taken up the task to be the lead attention giver.

METHOD OF INVESTIGATION
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In order to have a bias free investigation, the researcher has decided to enact the views of the
residents in the community. In order to do this, the researcher has decided to use the printed
questionnaire. The questionnaire as a method for data collection possesses numerous advantages.
Three such advantages are:
it requires little time to be completed
it can be completed at a time convenient to the respondent
it guarantees confidentiality since the respondents is not required to provide a name.

DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT

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SURVEY ON THE CAUSES, EFFECTS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO UNEMPLOYMENT

IN MY COMMUNITY

Dear Residents:
This is a survey being carried out in an effort to ascertain the causes, effects and possible
solutions to unemployment amongst youth in the community. This study is a requirement for a
Social Studies course I am presently pursuing.
You are being asked to answer the questions by placing a tick in the box provided or by writing
your opinions on the lines provided. Your response is guaranteed confidential since you do not
have to attach your name to the questionnaire. Also, this is not a test so there are no wrong or
right answers; therefore feel free to answer based on your opinion.
I am immensely grateful for you cooperation.

Yours Sincerely,

_______________
Raseena Reid

RESIDENTS QUESTIONNAIRE

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1. What is your Gender: Male

Female
2. What is your religious affiliation? __________________
3. To which age group do you belong?
18-20 yrs
21-25 yrs
26-30yrs
31-35 yrs
4. How long have you been residing in this Community?
Under 1 year
4-8 years
5-8 years
9 years and over
5. What is your level of education?
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
None of the above
6. What is your occupational status?
Employed
Unemployed
Self-employed
Not seeking a job
7. What is your level of qualification?
Diploma
High School
Skilled
Unskilled
8. Do you believe that unemployment is evident in this community?
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Yes
No
9. If your answer to question 8 is yes, what do you think is the main cause of unemployment?
Lack of job opportunities
Lack of the required skills
Lack of experience
Residents location
Illiteracy
10. Which gender does unemployment mostly affects in the community?
Males
Females
Both
11. How does unemployment affect the victims of the situation?
It prevents them from accessing their basic needs
It negatively impacts their childs/childrens attendance record
It allows persons to feel destitute
It affects their self worth
Other ___________________________________________________________
(Please Specify)

12. Do you believe that enough is being done by the government to minimise the level of
unemployment in the community?
Yes

No

13. Do you believe that the unemployed tries hard enough to get out of that situation?
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Yes

No

14. What would you propose they do to minimise that situation?

By doing backyard farming
By becoming sole traders
By getting an education
By migrating
Other ________________________________________________________________
(Please Specify)
15. What would you propose the government do to alleviate this problem?
Provide loans for persons to start their own businesses
Provide more varied educational and vocational institutions
Other __________________________________________________________________
(Please Specify)

PROCEDURES FOR DATA COLLECTION

The community under investigation is a relatively small one. It has approximately one hundred
(100) households. It was calculated that a sample of twenty percent (20%) was necessary in order

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to ensure accurate conclusions on the causes, effects and possible solutions to unemployment
amongst youth in the community. (20% of 100= 20)
A total of thirty questionnaires were prepared for distribution to the residents. On the 11th of
November 2012 all thirty were distributed to residents. The residents provided with the
questionnaires were chosen by a process of random selection. The name of one person from each
household in the community was written on a piece of paper, each slip of paper was folded and
placed into a box the box was closed and shaken vigorously to ensure a through mixture of the
numbers. A total of twenty five names were then drawn from the box, one at a time. After the
thirty names were drawn the process was stopped and the persons selected were given the
questionnaires. The residents were cooperative and were willing to be a part of the research.

PRESENTATION AND EXPLANATION OF DATA

Thirty questionnaires were distributed to the residents of the community to be completed. Of the
thirty distributed questionnaires, twenty five were completed and returned. The other five were
returned incomplete. Thirty six percent (36%) of the respondents were males and the other sixty
four percent (64%) females.
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Figure 1A
The figure above illustrates the year(s) of residency of the respondents. Four percent (4%) of the
respondents which amounts to 1 person stated that he/she has been living in the community for
less that one year; sixteen percent (16%) of the respondents which amounts to four persons stated
that they have been living in the community between five to eight years; another twenty percent
(20%) which amounts to five persons stated that they have been living in the community
between three to four years and the remaining sixty percent (60%) which amounts to fifteen
persons stated that they have been living in the community for nine years and over.

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Figure 2B
The figure above depicts the level of education of the respondents. The levels provided were
primary, secondary, tertiary and none of the above. Thirty six percent (36%) of the respondents
stated that they have accomplished up to the secondary level of education and the remaining
sixty four percent (64%) stated that they have accomplished up to the tertiary level. None of the
respondents selected the other two options.

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Figure 3C
The figure above illustrates the ocupational status of the respondents. Of the respondents, sixteen
percent (16%) stated that they were employed; sixty eight percent (68%) stated that they were
unemployed and the remaining sixteen percent (16%) stated that they were self employed. None
of the respondents selected the option which stated that they were not seeking a job.

Is Unemployment evident in the community?

Yes

100%

No
Table 1E
The table above depicts the respondents view as it relates to whether or not unemployment is
evident in the community. All one hundred percent (100%) of the respondents agreed that it was
evident.

What is the main cause of unemployment in the community?

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Lack of job opportunities

72%

Lack of required skills

4%

Lack of experience

12%

Residents location

12%

Illiteracy

Table 2F
The table above illustrates the respondents views as is relate to the main cause of unemployment
in the community. Seventy two percent (72%) of the respondents stated that it was due to the
lack of job opportunities; four percent (4%) stated that it was due to the lack of required skills;
twelve percent (12%) stated that it was due to the lack of experience and another twelve percent
(12%) stated that it was due to the residents location. None of the respondents agreed that it was
due to illiteracy.

How does unemployment affect the unemployed?

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It prevents them from acquiring their basic

needs

40%

It negatively impacts their child/children

schools attendance record

32%

It allows persons to feel destitute

16%

It affects their self worth

12%

Table 3G
The table above illustrates the respondents views as it relate to the effects of unemployment on
the unemployed. Forty percent (40%) of the repondents opined that it prevents them from
acquiring their basic needs; thirty two percent (32%) stated that it negatively impacts their
child/children schools attendance record; another sixteen percent (16%) stated that it allows
them to feel destitute and the remaining twelve percent (12%) stated that it affects tehir self
worth.

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Figure 4D
The figure above illustrates the respondents views as it relate to the gender mostly affected by
unemployment. Twenty percent (20%) of the respondents stated that both genders were affected;
twelve percent (12%) stated that the females were mostly affected and the remaining sixty eight
percent (68%) stated that they think the males were mostly affected.

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Figure 5E
The figure above depicts the respondents views as it relates to what they would propose the
unemployed do to minimise the level of unemployment. Forty percent (40%) of the respondents
proposed that the unemployed should do backyard farming; another forty percent (40%) stated
that they should become sole traders and the remaining four (4%) and sixteen percent (16%)
stated that they get an education and migrate respectively.

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Figure 6J
The figure above illustrates the respondents response to the question, What would you propose
the government do to alleviate the problem of unemployment in the community? Eighty eight
percent (88%) of the respondents stated that the government should provide persons with loans
to start their own businesses and the remaining twelve percent (12%) stated that they should
provide more varied educational and vocational institutions. None of the respondents stated
another option.

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ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

The researcher destined to figure out the causes, effects and possible solutions to unemployment
amongst the youth in the community; at the beginning of this research, the researcher had no idea
if the residents were aware that this problem exists within the community. Upon investigation
however, the researcher has come to realise that a mass of the community see this problem. In
response to the question asking whether or not unemployment was evident in the community,
one hundred percent (100%) of the respondents stated yes. This therefore means that even
residents who have been living in the community for less than a year is cognizant of the fact that
unemployment is an issue in the community. This conclusion can be drawn on the basis that four
percent of the respondents which amounts to one person was amongst the persons participating
in the investigation.
With all respondents agreeing that unemployment is very much present in the community, it
leaves one to wonder if this has anything to do with the educational status of the residents.
However, the respondents who completed the questionnaires has erased this theory totally from
the mind as thirty six percent (36%) of the respondents stated that they have accomplished up to
the secondary level of education and the remaining sixty four percent (64%) stated that they have
accomplished up to the tertiary level. None of the respondents selected the other two options
which were primary and none of the above.
It therefore leaves one to question, why then are so many of the residents unemployed. Figure 3C
in the presentation of data revealed the respondents occupational status.Of the respondents,
sixteen percent (16%) stated that they were employed; sixty eight percent (68%) stated that they

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were unemployed and the remaining sixteen percent (16%) stated that they were self employed.
None of the respondents selected the option which stated that they were not seeking a job.
Undoubtedly, a social issue of this nature must pose some effects on the victims. Some of thees
effects were highlighted by the respondents who most of them themselves are unemployed. Forty
percent (40%) of the repondents opined that unemployment prevents them from acquiring their
basic needs; thirty two percent (32%) stated that it negatively impacts their child/children
schools attendance record; another sixteen percent (16%) stated that it allows them to feel
destitute and the remaining twelve percent (12%) stated that it affects tehir self worth.
The effects are irrefutably negative ones and realising this opens the door to the question what
causes this issue. The respondents had varying views as it relate to this. Seventy two percent
(72%) of the respondents stated that it was due to the lack of job opportunities; four percent (4%)
stated that it was due to the lack of required skills; twelve percent (12%) stated that it was due to
the lack of experience and another twelve percent (12%) stated that it was due to the residents
location. None of the respondents, interestingly, agreed that it was due to illiteracy.
Whilst the respondents view varied as it relates to the causes and effects, there was one thing
that they agreed on unanimously and that is that this is a problem that needs to be fixed. As such
they have proposed different measures to the unemployed and the government that they think
will be likely to alleviate this issue. Forty percent (40%) of the respondents proposed that the
unemployed should do backyard farming; another forty percent (40%) stated that they should
become sole traders and the remaining four (4%) and sixteen percent (16%) stated that they get
an education and migrate respectively. In relation to proposals to the government eighty eight
percent (88%) of the respondents stated that the government should provide persons with loans
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to start their own businesses and the remaining twelve percent (12%) stated that they should
provide more varied educational and vocational institutions. None of the respondents stated
another option.
Unemployment is a rapidly growing social issue that if not fixed may lead to many other social
issues. According to the residents of the community under investigation, unemployment mostly
affects men. This was supported by data presented where sixty eight percent (68%) of the
respondents stated that they think the males were mostly affected.

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STATEMENT OF FINDINGS
The investigation has unveiled a number of findings as it relates to the causes, effects and
possible solutions to unemployment amongst youth in the community. Some such revelations
are:
1. None of the respondents believed that the level of unemployment amongst the youth in
the community was due to illiteracy.
2. Unemployment mostly affects males in the community. This was supported by sixty eight
percent of the respondents.
3. The main cause for unemployment is the lack of job opportunities. This was supported by
seventy two percent of the respondents.

RECOMMENDATION AND IMPLEMATION STRATEGY

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The need for the issue of unemployment to be fixed cannot be overemphasised. In order for this
issue to be left in the past as community members move on, the government, people of the
community and private enterprise all have to play their parts.
I would recommend like a number of the respondents that unemployed members of the
community do some backyard farming. This will enable them to at least provide their basic
needs.
I would also recommend that the government forms allegiance with the private enterprise to take
on workers to work in their establishments and the government pays a portion of the salary and
the private enterprise owners pay a portion.
Another recommendation that I would endorse is that the government should provide these
unemployed persons with loans so that they can begin their own businesses. The government
could send out personnel into the communities to investigate the level of unemployment within
each community. The government would then make an estimate of how much would be needed
to start a viable business. The unemployed persons would be provided with the loan and will be
given a time period in which to pay back their loans.

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