When told about a job at such and such a place, they complain they don't have cars or drivers licenses. When told to go out and get a drivers license, they come up with some other excuse..."I ain't got no money!"
I've got another cousin, brother to the first cousin. As a kid he lived across the road from where my first cousin lives. In Jr Hi and HS he worked for a farmer about 4 miles away. In HS he worked there 5-6 days a week. He rode his bike there every day, rain, snow or nice. That job paid for his first car.
His daughter is in HS now. She has an eye for having nice things. She's got a drivers license and is out there working. She has her eyes set on things and is going after them.
The first 2 boys...the only things they have their eyes on are video games and tv.
Unemployment might be high right now, but for the ones THAT REALLY WANT to work, they'll find jobs, even if its not exactly what they want to do. Those who WANT to work, view a car as a necessity (unless they have easy access to public transportation).
For the others, a car is viewed as a liability, and an expense. If one doesn't have a car, there is less need to have a job.
30 years ago, a young person having a car was seen as freedom. Freedom to go where you want, when you want. Today, that freedom is seen as a chore, as responsibility. Something to be shunned.
And upon their enabling parents.