April 14, 2003

Unemployment and the sense of self
Posted by jbutler@bostonworks.com">Jason Butler at 5:00 AM -

One of the benefits of being a part of the world's best newspaper company is that we have access to some outstanding journalism about the working life. For example, in yesterday's New York Times Magazine, there is a long (you'll probably want to print it out to read it) and engaging story about how extended unemployment affects men's lives, a story told by profiling three high-achievers who've fallen on hard times.

One of the basic premises of the piece is that men experience unemployment differently than women.

By the numbers, women have been hit as hard as men, but white-collar men tend to experience unemployment differently, organizational psychologists say. For most women, survival trumps ego; they simply adapt and find some job. For men, grappling with joblessness inevitably entails surrendering an idea of who they are — or who others thought they were.

For men who define themselves by their occupation, losing the ability to work ravages the psyche. So, what are things men can do while unemployed to keep up the sense of self-worth?

My brother-in-law has entirely re-done his house in the months since his company left town. Some friends from the dotcom world have landed at Sloan and HBS, others are working on technology projects they've always wanted to try. When I've been unemployed, I've found it useful to get out there and volunteer. I do a lot with Boston Cares -- for those of you outside 495, check out City Cares for a sister organization in your area. In addition to helping others, volunteering helps develop skills and contacts which can help you find your next job.

I suppose the key for me was to just do *something* everyday, something beyond drinking and daytime television. If nothing else, you can always read a book, take a walk, make a friend.

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