Review: "Abandoned: America's Lost Youth and the Crisis of Disconnection" (manuscript)

 

            Anne Kim writes, “What I have tried to argue in this book is that young adults for too long have been the missing link in our national conversation about opportunity, inequality, and the future of American prosperity” (194) in her book, Abandoned:  America’s lost youth and the crisis of disconnection.

            Kim writes about young people between the ages of 18 and 24 (primarily).  She argues that there is a significant number of youth in that age group who are uneducated, not being trained, and/or not employed.  This leads to an upcoming block of people who see only hopelessness.

            In the first two sections of her book, she argues that the problems can be found in systemic racism, inequality, lack of educational opportunity, racist justice systems, being dropped from the state systems of support – especially for youth in foster care, etc.

            Kim argues these points and buffets them with anecdotes.

            In the final two sections, she argues for answers:  broken systems have to be repaired, systemic racism has to end, urban deserts need to be made alive again with an influx of government money to put schools, hospitals, and other necessary support systems within reach, schools out to be systematized such that they lead from school to a career – even that companies sponsor students to take courses and learn such that they are employable in those companies immediately upon graduation, apprenticeship should have a wider use, and youth should have a mentor who guides them.

            Rather than ignoring these abandoned youth, she argues that we ensure each one counts by tracking them to know where resources should go and how they are affecting them (177-178).  The government needs to invest far more money in programs that work (178).  Businesses need to step up and provide for them (180).  Opportunities need to be available everywhere (182).  Schools need to be linked to careers (186).  The pipeline from the foster care system to the justice system must be stopped (189).  Finally, young people must be listened to, so we know what they want from us (191).

            Kim’s argument for a bigger government is not persuasive to me.  I have a hard time believing that the government can solve our problems.

            However, I agree with her that there are things that the government can do – especially on the local level – making sure that access is available for every young person to be in school, training, or employed.  And there are people who cannot help themselves – for a time or for their lives – the mentally ill could fit in that category.

I also think it is a great idea to have schools and companies linked.  This could help schools to phase out garbage majors.  That is, there are studies that usually lead to employment, and there are studies that do not.  There is nothing wrong with having an interest or studying something, but the major study should be one that can effectively lead to a good, income-producing job.

I agree that young people need mentors.  Even more – to the greatest extent possible – they need to be raised in two parent households.

And, of course, racism is evil, and any system that is broken should be fixed.

I would add that it would be of great value for young people to be involved in a faith-based setting in which they could be part of a larger support group.  Faith-based groups would need to be more accepting and desirous to help youth and be willing to help mentor them, but it is right that they do so.  Too often, youth are seen as a bother or a threat.

            I don’t agree with all of the author’s prescriptions, but she is right – there is a problem with the youth of today – and we are part of the cause of it, and we can do things to help them.

            [This review appears on my blog, my YouTube channel, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]