 There are good reasons to think that this level of teen unemployment will create significant social costs as well as life-long consequences for youth. Teen employment has been shown to significantly increase employment outcomes later in life; one study from the late 1990s finds that working 20 hours a week as a high school senior increases earnings by 22 percent and wages by 10 percent 6-9 years later. Increasing wages for teens - both immediately through the provision of a job itself and later through increased earning potential - may also have a substantial impact on their crime rates. There is evidence that the higher the wage rate available to an individual, the less likely he is to commit a violent or property crime. Increasing income more generally through income transfers, housing vouchers, tax credits, etc. has also been convincingly shown to reduce crime, as has investing in individuals skill development. Since the provision of a summer job is likely to perform all three functions - increase the available wage, provide additional income, and improve individuals skills not to mention keep youth busy during the summer months when crime usually spikes - it is reasonable to expect that it would also decrease criminal behavior. 