he loss of a job — or the fear a pink slip could arrive at any time — can be catastrophic, not only for the laid-off worker, but also for members of their family. As economic fears grow, teenagers experience an atmosphere of tension and anxiety at a stage of life when stability is critical.

Clearly, the best route to economic stability for these kids is a college degree. But recent research reveals a sad irony: The disruption caused by layoffs results in fewer kids from poor families attending college.

"Local job losses can both worsen adolescent mental health and lower academic performance," hindering their ability to get into college, a research team led by Duke University's Elizabeth Ananat writes in the journal Science."Job destruction knocks many youths off the path to college."

[For more of this story, written by Tom Jacobs, go to http://theweek.com/articles/71...arms-next-generation]