Prof. Sara Heller

Studies of large-scale summer youth employment programs have found that participants are significantly less likely to be involved in violent crime, both during and after the summer program.

The findings come from a series of research studies that examined youth employment initiatives in major U.S. cities. Because many of these programs receive more applicants than available positions, researchers have been able to use lottery-based selection processes to rigorously evaluate their impact. The results suggest that young people who participate in summer employment programs experience substantial reductions in arrests and involvement in violent crime compared with peers who were not selected.

The research challenges the common perception that summer jobs are valuable primarily because they improve future employment prospects. Instead, the findings demonstrate the importance of evaluating public policies through a broader lens. While workforce development programs are often assessed based on employment outcomes alone, the social benefits associated with reduced crime and improved well-being may generate significant returns for communities.

Listen to the interview: "Research Finds Teen Summer Jobs Help Reduce Crime."