Challenges and Coping Mechanisms of Graduated Unemployed Youth in Dessie City, ANRS, Ethiopia

Abstract

This article aims to examine the tragedies and coping mechanisms of unem-ployed youth in Dessie city. To conduct the study, mixed research approach was employed so that quantitative data were complemented with qualitative data. Hence, samples of 242 unemployed youth respondents were selected through simple random sampling technique. To collect qualitative data, five in-depth in-terview participants, five key informants and two FGD sessions were conducted from graduated unemployed youths, youth service centers, and sub city admin-istration workers. Besides, secondary data were congregated from different pub-lished and unpublished materials. The finding of the study indicates that unem-ployed youth in Dessie city were financially unable to create their own jobs; and they were socially deprived and psychologically harmed. Furthermore, the result of the study revealed that unemployed youth are leading their life via asking for family support, waiting for government jobs, migration, engaging in a free ser-vice work, and drug use. Consequently, the study suggests that there is a need to extend youth employment opportunities through promoting technical vocational training programs, enhancing the capacity of micro and small enterprise. Over-all, economic development and youth centers enhancement are relevant to ease the economic, psychological and social problems of graduated youth.