Informal solutions to the health and social consequences of unemployment

Mills' (1959) distinction between private troubles and public issues are applied on a theoretical level to the phenomenon of unemployment. The role of the trade unions is discussed in that context, as is stress and control theory. An intervention project is described where 17 unemployed people were recruited to serve as representatives of their fellow unemployed. The aim was to serve as their advocates and spokesmen in relation to the authorities. Other important tasks included mobilizing the unemployed, initiating activities among them, etc., the main aim being to avoid unnecessary self-blame and to develop group commitment. Through the diaries of the unemployment representatives (UR), all their actions were analysed (approximately 2000 contacts over a period of six months). The fragility of the group and the need for a helping hand were readily identified. The main remedy prescribed by the URs is employment. This project was—and still is—quite a success, particularly with regard to counselling. It proved more complicated to motivate the unemployed collectively.

Blame · Business · Context (archaeology) · Demographic economics · Economic growth · Economics · Fragility · Intervention (counseling) · Labour economics · Phenomenon · Political science · Unemployment · Employment and Welfare Studies · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology