Browsing by Subject "Toimijuus"

This study examines the agency of unemployed focused on its possibilities and limitations. In this research I also concentrate on what kind of an agency the society demands from unemployed and how it affects on life. The agency is explained to be an action, which takes form in certain structure, context and interaction. The research material has been gathered by interviewing ten persons, who were either unemployed at the moment or who have experienced long-term unemployment. This research shows that the agency of the unemployed has more limitations than possibilities. Most restrictions are connected with low income, especially among long-term unemployed people. There is always some concern about coping financially and the lack of money influenced almost all parts of daily life and before long caused other problems. Mental pressure effects on agency by weakening self-esteem and unsure future makes prospects hopeless. The opportunity is the more flexible daily schedule, which makes living leisured and gives a possibility to spend more time with family, friends and hobbies. However, the period of unemployment cannot be compared to holiday, because anxiety about getting a job is always present. As for demands of society the informants share the experience of being responsible for solving the problem alone without recognizing the fact that the reason of unemployment can be structural. Also, there is an indeterminate threat above unemployed; if one doesn´t show certain kind of activity, one is punished with sanction.