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Read Item H below and answer the question that follows - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 12 - 2020 - Paper 2
Question 12
Read Item H below and answer the question that follows. Item H Worklessness affects retired people and those unable to work as well as unemployed people. People wi... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Read Item H below and answer the question that follows - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 12 - 2020 - Paper 2
Step 1
Evaluate sociological explanations of the effects of worklessness on people’s lives and life chances.
Answer
Worklessness can have significant effects on individuals' lives and social standing due to several sociological factors:
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Social Exclusion: Individuals who are workless often experience social exclusion. This leads to diminished social networks and lack of engagement with community, which can further exacerbate the effects of worklessness since they lack support systems.
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Life Chances: According to sociologist Max Weber, life chances refer to the opportunities individuals have to improve their quality of life. Worklessness drastically reduces these chances due to limited income, which impacts health, education, and access to resources.
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Identity and Role: Work provides individuals with a social identity and purpose. The item mentions that some sociologists argue that work is less significant today. However, even if work's role in identity is diminishing, for many, being employed remains a crucial aspect of their social roles and self-worth.
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Diverse Impact of Wealth: The item indicates that some individuals may not work due to sufficient wealth. This suggests a dual nature of worklessness: while it can be a disadvantage for many, it can also create a separate social class that experiences different effects. Understanding this nuance is crucial in evaluating worklessness.
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Changing Work Landscape: The argument that work is becoming less important is supported by changes in the nature of work today, such as gig economies or increased flexibility in work arrangements, which might alter the significance of being employed in traditional senses.
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Policy Implications: Sociological explanations also consider how policies like welfare and educational opportunities can mitigate the negative effects of worklessness by providing support and pathways back into employment.
In conclusion, sociological explanations of worklessness reveal a complex interplay of social exclusion, life chances, identity, and broader societal structures. Understanding these factors helps to grasp the multifaceted repercussions of being workless in contemporary society.