Challenges faced by unemployed youths and their coping strategies (responses) to sustain livelihoods: A case study of Mbare.

Abstract

The study focuses on the challenges being faced by unemployed youths in Mbare as well as the various responses they engage in to sustain livelihoods and escape poverty in the face of unemployment and economic hardships. The research has recognised unemployment as the major challenge affecting youths in modern society and as a component affecting their livelihoods leaving them vulnerable to poverty. Unemployment amongst youths has led to new livelihood strategies which include selling of CD’s and DVD’s, drug dealing, back yard studios and gyms as well as prostitution as a livelihood strategy in face of unemployment. The study based its concepts and theoretical underpinnings on Giddens’ Structuration theory to deliberate the challenges and how they are handled by youths in society. The findings in this research were gathered through Focus Group Discussions and face to face interviews to allow the participants express their experiences in detail. Relating to the findings of the study the researcher has recommended that youths need to be equipped with knowledge and practical skills that enable them to be absorbed in the labour market. They need to be equipped with the necessities of the industries.