The Repository @ St. Cloud State

Open Access Knowledge and Scholarship

Date of Award

6-2025

Culminating Project Type

Starred Paper

Styleguide

apa

Degree Name

Applied Economics: M.S.

Department

Economics

College

School of Public Affairs

First Advisor

King, Banaian

Second Advisor

Rebeck, Kenneth

Third Advisor

Komai Molle, Mana

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Keywords and Subject Headings

Disconnect, Youth, Young People, Minnesota

Abstract

Disconnected youth and young adults, also known as youth disengagement, refer to individuals neither in the labor force nor enrolled in school. It is a national concern in the United States, including Minnesota. This raises a critical question: what contextual factors account for youth and young adult disconnection in Minnesota? More importantly, identifying the root causes of disconnection is essential before addressing the problem. This study uses monthly cross-sectional data from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series–Current Population Survey (IPUMS-CPS), covering January 2017 to October 2024, to examine the socioeconomic and demographic factors behind youth disconnection in Minnesota. Using summary statistics, binary models, and visualized cross-tabulations, the study found that 7.14% of youth aged 15 to 24 are disconnected. Males experience slightly higher disconnection rates than females, and disconnection is most prevalent among white individuals. Age, family type, and race are key factors, while urban residence and education reduce disconnection risks.

Comments/Acknowledgements

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

All glory and honor belong to God, who makes all things beautiful in his appointed time. This starred paper is dedicated to my sweet wife, Mrs. Ophelia Mensah-Bediako, and our adorable kids, Papa Assabil Bediako and Ewurafua Mansa Bediako. God bless you for your love, understanding and support.

I also thank my able supervisors King Banaian (PhD), Kenneth Rebeck (PhD) and Mana Komai Molle (PhD) for their selfless academic assistance and direction in writing this piece. Your criticisms, corrections, and contributions have strengthened the work.

Again, I thank my dear parents, Mr. Emmanuel Kwame Assabil and Mrs. Aba Mansa for raising me to believe in myself to reach greater height.

Also, I salute my adorable friends; Sir Kojo Eshun, Mr. Frederick Arkoh, Mr. Caleb Amprofi Ampah and Mr. Stephan Kokora Aidoo for their encouragement. I love you all.

A Special one goes to Edward Asiedu (PhD), Rev. Fr. Augustine Kofi Bentil, Mr. Frederick Akowuah and Mrs. Belinda Akowuah, who wholeheartedly supported me to pursue this course. God bless you immensely.

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