Artikelen

Wat is het nut van werken?

Auteurs

  • Beer,Paul de

Trefwoorden:

Quality of life, Work, Well being, Employment, Unemployment, Sex differences, Age differences

Samenvatting

What's the Use of Working?. Examines the contribution of paid work to individual well-being or "utility." Utility is interpreted both in an objective sense (comprising, eg, income, wealth, social isolation, and social participation) and in a subjective sense (satisfaction with one's present course of life). Although the importance of work for individual well-being in general is corroborated, this conclusion requires important qualifications. While people who are involuntarily out of work (the unemployed and disabled) have much lower utility than employed people; this does not apply to people who have chosen not to work (eg, housewives, students, and the early retired). Sex and life stage are also important. Paid work is especially important for "traditional" male breadwinners with young children. Women (mothers of young children in particular) find it easier to do without a job. The quality of work also matters. 2 Tables, 4 Figures, 15 References. Adapted from the source document.

Biografie auteur

Beer,Paul de

Gepubliceerd

1999-02-01

Nummer

Sectie

Artikelen