The significance of work and worklessness Flashcards
(19 cards)
what is work?
-work is often associated with paid employment, but it also includes unpaid labour
-the social context defines whether an activity is considered “work”
how is work significant in people’s lives?
work provides:
- income to meet basic needs and maintain lifestyle
- social identity-many people are defined by their jobs
- structure and routine-organises daily life
- self-esteem-contributed to personal identity and self-worth
- social class position-influences life chances
what are Parker’s three patterns of work and leisure?
- opposition pattern- hard, physical jobs -> leisure is an escape from work
- neutrality pattern- boring routine jobs -> leisure is separate from work
- extension pattern- high-commitment jobs -> work extends into leisure time
Criticisms:
-Roberts: work doesn’t fully determine leisure
-Feminists (Deem): ignores women’s unpaid domestic labour
what is the ‘end of work’ thesis?
- Postmodernists argue that identity is now shaped more by consumption than work
- Doherty: work has become more insecure, temporary, and less meaningful
- Bauman: consumption, not work, is now the central aspect of identity
how does work impact life chances?
work improves:
- health and well-being: better diets, housing and mental health
- education: higher wages mean better opportunities for children
-leisure choices: more money and time for personal interests
worklessness leads to:
- poverty: low income= limited opportunities
- health issues: poor diet, stress, depression
- social exclusion: isolation, lack of participation in society
what is globalisation?
the increased international economic interconnectedness of countries
how has globalisation affected work?
- more non-standard jobs: insecure, part-time, short-term contracts
- outsourcing: jobs moved to cheaper locations (e.g. Uk call centres moved to India)
- weakened worker power: companies relocate to avoid strong labour laws
- increased migration: workers move for jobs, causing tensions in local labour markets
what are standard jobs?
permanent, full-time, well-paid, secure jobs
what are non-standard jobs?
temporary, part-time, insecure, lower-paid jobs
- Edgell:
-temporary workers face a “wage penalty” (15% lower pay)
- more repetitive work, night shifts, and lower job satisfaction
what is outsourcing?
-companies move jobs abroad to cut costs
-leads to job losses and lower wages in developed countries
what is the primary labour market? (core workers)
-full-time, permanent jobs
-well-paid, skilled, and job security
-more likely to be white, males
what is the secondary labour market? (periphery workers)
-part-time, low-paid, temporary jobs
-women and ethnic minorities are overrepresented
-Walby: women are more likely to be periphery workers
what is the casualisation of the workforce?
- decrease in more flexible work contacts
- zero-hour contracts: no guaranteed work
- short-term contracts: insecure employment
- shift work and night work: unstable routines
result: less job security, more stress, and weaker trade unions
how does unemployment affect identity?
-loss of social identity: work provides meaning and self-worth
-Durkheim’s “anomie”- sense of normlessness when unemployed
- Gini: work is a central anchor of adult life
how does unemployment affect health?
- increased mental health issues: stress, anxiety, depression
- poor physical health: worse diet, higher rate of illness
- Gulliford: unemployment doubles the risk of suicide in men
what are the two main ways of measuring unemployment?
- claimant count- based on people seeking Jobseeker’s Allowance
- ILO count (international labour organisation): includes all job-seekers, whether claiming benefits or not
who is most rick of unemployment?
- manual workers-easily replaced
- men-higher risk due to manufacturing job losses
- young people (18-24)-less experience
- older workers (55+)-harder to retrain
- ethnic minorities-more likely to be in insecure jobs
- the north of the UK-higher unemployment than the south
what are the causes of unemployment?
- globalisation: jobs move to cheaper countries
- automation: machines replace human jobs
- decline in manufacturing: loss of heavy industry
- rise of non-standard jobs: less secure work contracts
what are the consequences of unemployment?
for individuals:
- loss of identity, social exclusion, and mental health decline
- stress on families-increased domestic violence and breakdowns
for society:
- higher crime rates, homelessness, and political unrest
- more welfare spending, but fewer workers paying taxes
