Stories of Courage Among Emerging Adults in Precarious Work

Abstract

Young precarious workers are increasingly exposed to forms of discrimination, inequality, and poverty; therefore, it is crucial to listen to their voices and increase their awareness of the characteristics of decent work. We examined stories of courage among 40 emerging adult precarious workers using a hybrid, qualitative approach involving a thematic analysis through which two independent researchers generated deductive and inductive codes. Our participants' stories of courage provide an account of the social and cultural costs of neoliberal development, revealing how systematic processes of privilege and discrimination influence emerging adults' experiences and courageous actions. The results highlight that precarious young workers do not experience dignified work conditions and may experience injustice and discrimination in work contexts. Our study has important theoretical and practical implications for research and practice and confirms narrative career counseling's value to investigate working conditions of today's youth.

Life Satisfaction, Courage, and Career Adaptability in a Group of Italian Workers

“…First, the results validate and align with existing research on career adaptability. The study further supports the notion that individuals with higher levels of career adaptability exhibit a positive orientation toward dealing with challenges in a dynamic work environment (Santilli et al 2021). About the mediating role of courage as an indirect mediator between life satisfaction and career adaptability, the present contribution expands on previous frameworks that may have yet to explicitly consider the role of courage in connecting life satisfaction to adaptive career behaviors (Magnano et al 2021).…”

“…Courage becomes a catalyst for navigating these transitions. Life Design, coupled with the cultivation of courage, provides individuals with the tools to approach career changes proactively and confidently, and this could improve the perceived quality of life (Santilli et al 2021).…”

Facilitating Life-Enhancing Career in the Context of Significant Social Challenges and Changes: The Perspective of Goal-Directed Action

“…Among the significant challenges and changes affecting career currently are several interrelated factors, outlined below. These factors have been shown in the literature to have changed the framework in which individuals construct career (e.g., Barhate & Hirudayaraj, 2021;Di Nuovo et al, 2021;MacDonald & Giazitzoglu, 2019;O'Keeffe et al, 2021;Ravenelle, 2021;Santilli et al, 2021;Song, 2018). These factors are interrelated and range from broad socio-political positions such as neoliberalism to the much more time focussed effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Neoliberal concepts of individual action optimizing individual happiness seem antiquated in the face of environmental concerns and global insecurity. Rather, collective interests rather than those of the individual are likely to be prioritized due to the scale of the current challenges (e.g., Oldfield et al, 2021;Santilli et al, 2021;Song, 2018).…”

Analysis of the Mediation Role of Career Adaptability In the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Achievement Motivation For Generation Z Students in West Kalimantan

“…• Theoritical review The basic concept behind this research is the theory of career construction. This theory states that everyone tries to build a career with a special pattern of behavior after considering various options as the basis for taking adjustment actions [37]. The discussion of this theory focuses on a person's efforts to continue to make adjustments to various job changes for his personal progress.…”