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Experiences of white-collar job loss and job-searching in the United States

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  • Rao, Aliya Hamid

Abstract

Unemployment is a pervasive and stubborn feature of contemporary social and economic life. This review article focuses on the meaning and experience of contemporary white-collar unemployment in the United States. After explaining the empirical and theoretical rationales for the focus on white-collar workers, this review delves into three aspects of white-collar unemployment: who loses jobs; what unemployment means for one's sense of self, marital relationships, parent-child relationships; and how the process of job-searching and re-employment unfold for unemployed white-collar workers in the US. Throughout, I take an intersectional approach, identifying how sensitivity to structural location in the labor market and the family can augment our sociological understandings of these important issues. I close by suggesting directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Rao, Aliya Hamid, 2021. "Experiences of white-collar job loss and job-searching in the United States," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 112455, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:112455
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    File URL: https://researchonline.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/112455/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • N0 - Economic History - - General

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