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‘Rusty, invisible and threatening’: ageing, capital and employability

Author

Listed:
  • Dina Bowman

    (Brotherhood of St Laurence, Australia)

  • Michael McGann

    (The University of Melbourne, Australia)

  • Helen Kimberley

    (Brotherhood of St Laurence, Australia)

  • Simon Biggs

    (The University of Melbourne, Australia)

Abstract

Levels of mature-age unemployment and under-employment are increasing in Australia, with older jobseekers spending longer unemployed than younger jobseekers. This article focuses on two key explanations of the difficulties confronting older jobseekers: human capital theory, which focuses on the obsolescence of older workers’ job skills, and ageism in employment. Drawing upon narrative interviews with older Australians, it critically engages with both these understandings. Using a Bourdieusian analysis, it shows how ageing intersects with the deployment of different forms of capital that are valued within particular labour market fields to shape older workers’ ‘employability’. By examining how class, gender and age intersect to structure experiences of marginalization, it questions conventional analyses that see older workers as discriminated against simply because they are older.

Suggested Citation

  • Dina Bowman & Michael McGann & Helen Kimberley & Simon Biggs, 2017. "‘Rusty, invisible and threatening’: ageing, capital and employability," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 31(3), pages 465-482, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:31:y:2017:i:3:p:465-482
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017016645732
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tony Dobbins & Alexandra Plows & Huw Lloyd-Williams, 2014. "‘Make do and mend’ after redundancy at Anglesey Aluminium: critiquing human capital approaches to unemployment," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 28(4), pages 515-532, August.
    2. Susan McDaniel & Paul Bernard, 2011. "Life Course as a Policy Lens: Challenges and Opportunities," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 37(s1), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Peck, Jamie & Theodore, Nikolas, 2000. "Commentary: 'Work First': Workfare and the Regulation of Contingent Labour Markets," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 24(1), pages 119-138, January.
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