BackgroundIn South Africa, there is an average of 69.6% of unemployed youth between the ages of 15 and 34. There is a lack of research regarding youth who are homeless and their perspective on their worker role.ObjectiveThe aim of the study is to explore and describe the experiences and perceptions of homeless youth with regard to the influence of job insecurity on their worker roles.MethodsThe study used an exploratory study design using a qualitative approach through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling methods was used to select six research participants and two key informants. Two semi- structured interviews were conducted with six individuals regarded as youth who are homeless and two key informants.ResultsFour themes emerged from the study: 1) Challenges related to accessing support structures that affect home and job security, 2) A holistic program that focuses on personal and work specific skills creates opportunities for employment. 3) "Being able to forgive oneself", is a start to adaptation to difficult circumstances and 4) Multidimensional support for youth who are homeless to get employed and maintain employment.ConclusionThe novel finding of this study is that that when youth get support, it significantly increases employment opportunities, which helps the youth who are homeless to adapt to the difficult circumstances they face daily.
Soeker et al. (Thu,) studied this question.