Paper short abstract:

This presentation describes the difficulties older jobseekers face when they do not get enough support. The presentation seeks to answer how looking at unemployment through the lens of affect and emotions can fill the gaps in the existent understanding of life without wage work.

Paper long abstract:

This presentation explores affects and emotions linked to unemployment. It is based on 30 interviews conducted with jobseekers aged 50+ in south-eastern Finland. The area where the jobseekers live has had relatively high unemployment rates and the participants have also experienced age discrimination which makes their situation difficult. The presentation deals with the affective practices linked to becoming unemployed, thoughts on continuing unemployment and the emotions provoked by (perceived) attitudes towards the unemployed. The research questions are what affective practices are there in the interviews and what consequences do they have in the lives of the interviewees.

This presentation describes the difficulties older jobseekers face when they do not get enough support and are left with few options for their future. Frustration, shame, guilt and bitter feelings were discussed by the interviewees. Affective strength supported by counselling and help from others, including the governmental employment services and peer-support were the possible positive effects identified in this study.

The presentation seeks to answer how looking at unemployment through the lens of affect and emotions can fill the gaps in the existent understanding of life without wage work.