Athens Banner-Herald intern Alex Morris’ Sunday column “Recession hits youngest job-seekers hard, too,” didn’t mention the negative long-term problems that skyrocketing unemployment rates cause for teens.

A Stanford University study found that youths who experience especially long periods of unemployment were particularly prone to negative long-term effects on future wages and employment. University of North Carolina research found unemployment for teens continues to adversely affect earnings for as long as 10 years.

Not having a summer job takes more than money from teens. Those priced out of the job market by high minimum wages also are deprived of the “invisible curriculum” of learning how to report to a supervisor, show up on time and work with others as part of a team. State and federal lawmakers should recognize “feel-good” wage hikes hurt vulnerable workers like teens.