With contributions from Jimmy Horn
This month, we have discussed the statistics on unemployment- the number of people who are looking for work but cannot find it- as well as the policies that aim to minimize it. Now, we will focus more on the stories of individuals and communities who have been affected by unemployment. Beyond the data, a critical part of the mission behind Colin Horn For KY is to remain at a boots-on-the-ground level with Kentuckians. While it is important to remain committed to the facts, we are also committed to displaying that people and communities are more than just a number.
People and communities are more than just a number
Colin Horn For KY
How Unemployment Affects the Individual
Unemployment can greatly affect an individual, emotionally as well as financially. Many people place a great amount of their identity in their work. There is the classic icebreaker among adults: “So, what do you do?” Of course, this assumes to revolve around a person’s job. It is clear why not having an answer to this question could feel discouraging to people. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, a 2% increase in male mortality has been associated with age 62, which is the age that Social Security Benefits become available. Meaningful work provides emotional structure to a person and unemployment can affect emotional well-being. As noted by a Walton, Kentucky resident in a Witness Wednesday Story by the Center For Effective Government on unemployment, “I feel like I am drowning and someone is holding me under.”
Furthermore, a person who is looking for work but cannot find it also may not feel acknowledged or appreciated. It can be very discouraging to apply for a job and have that application turned down. The emotional toll of this rejection can grow larger over time as more resumes are rejected and a person may feel that they are not good enough. In short, these rejections may affect self-perception. Even if the unemployment is largely due to market-based factors, an unemployed person may feel that the reason they cannot find work is because they do not possess the proper skillset that is appreciated by an employer or customer.
How Unemployment Affects the Family
Unemployment can lead to financial insecurity, as noted by Tutor2u. Long stretches of time without income can cause strain within a family, especially if they are living paycheck to paycheck. This leads to a greater risk of poverty over time. Whether a family relies on one income stream or multiple streams, an individual becoming unemployed can lead to unexpected financial situations for a family.
Jimmy Horn, a public school teacher in Kentucky for 28 years, says that financial strain like this can affect the children disproportionately. Unemployment can lead to a lack of discretionary income for a family, which can include vacations or even sports. If a family suddenly cannot afford to travel with their child to sporting events or pay for equipment, this can lead to feelings of isolation compared to peers. Children in situations like this can suffer from a lack of confidence that is similar to that of a parent without a job.
How Unemployment Affects the Community
Effects of unemployment stretch beyond the nuclear family. Unemployment can be felt by the community as well. When people are looking for work in their community but cannot find it, they may turn to work opportunities in other communities. When these members of the community choose to move for better job opportunities, their absence is felt. Economically, this means that their money is no longer spent within the community, which makes it that harder for local businesses to survive. Jimmy Horn mentions that unemployed people do not always choose to leave the community behind completely. Instead, they often continue living in the community while commuting elsewhere. This can lead to similar economic and social impacts as when an individual leaves the community outright.
Alternatively, those who have spent extended periods of time in unemployment may not turn to leaving the community at all. Instead, they may completely leave the labor force after long-term unemployment. This still leaves the community with reduced economic activity.
Key Points
- Unemployment Effects on the Individual:
- Reduced sense of identity
- Reduced sense of appreciation
- Unemployment Effects on the Family
- Increased risk of poverty
- Abrupt changes in lifestyle, which can disproportionately affect the children
- Unemployment Effects on the Community
- Outmigration of community members
- Reduced local economic activity
Overall, unemployment can have many negative effects that cannot be fully understood by simply reading a statistic. The impact of unemployment is felt far beyond the numbers. It is felt by the individual, their family, and even their community. Unemployment can reduce one’s senses of purpose and presence and can replace them with risks of poverty and outmigration. By engaging with community members, one can combine the statistics with these stories to gain a full picture of the effects of unemployment.
Sources
Tutor2u– Social Costs of High Unemployment
Center for Effective Government- Witness Wednesdays Voices of the Unemployed Story Archive
National Bureau of Economic Research- The Mortality Effects of Retirement
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), County Unemployment Rates