In a recent opinion article found in the Wall Street Journal, the columnist points to federal minimum wage increases as the main reason behind low teen employment. After reading the article and the studies he references such as the Stanford study, I would agree that the impact of minimum wages can have even longer term affects on young job seekers. Yes, economy has been hit hard but there is a bigger disparity between the whole unemployment number and the unemployment number of America's teens. It's also pointed out that the number is as high as 50% for black teens. It begs the question, would teens be less likely to engage in wrongful acts if they could work during high school years. Chicago inner city has been spread accross the news with horryfing details of fellow classmates killing one and youth gang violence. Could this violence be derailed some if inner youth were incented by job creation. The columnist suggest that Congress look at creating a teenage wage of $4 or $5 hour to help put thousands of teens back to work. I also agree, without any change, this trend will continue and could have a much more negative impact that affects communities all over America. Also, as a father of a 13 year old teen, I'm dealing with him finding interest in activities that may lead to a hard lesson and this notion of little job opportunity is one less option to keep him focused on positive lessons as having a job and starting an investment in his future. States should also be given more ownership of setting minimum wages in urban cities where youth crime is a major problem and community programs do little to deter this crime. It's time to take action and protect the interest of our future workforce.