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Unemployment as a Social Norm in Germany

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  • Andrew Clark
  • Andreas Knabe
  • Steffen Rätzel

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between the subjective well-being of both the employed and unemployed and regional unemployment rates. While both employed and unemployed men suffer from regional unemployment, unemployed men are significantly less negatively affected. This is consistent with a social norm effect of unemployment in Germany. We find no evidence of such an offsetting effect for women.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Clark & Andreas Knabe & Steffen Rätzel, 2009. "Unemployment as a Social Norm in Germany," Schmollers Jahrbuch : Journal of Applied Social Science Studies / Zeitschrift für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin, vol. 129(2), pages 251-260.
    • Handle: RePEc:aeq:aeqsjb:v129_y2009_i1_q1_p251-260
    DOI: 10.3790/schm.129.2.251
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search

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