Unemployment

Abstract

A certain individualized amount of environmental and psychological stress (eustress) is motivating and even vital to human function (Selye, 1956). The pursuit of happiness, declared an American constitutional right and recognized as a basic human need, motivates a great deal of human activity and is achieved, at least partially, through gainful employment. Whether or not the employment is a joyful endeavor, it does represent the means for achieving other life goals: providing shelter and food, ensuring security for the future, acquiring the accessories that make life pleasurable, and creating a sense of purpose. CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF WORK In westernized cultures, employment is a central focus of life. Being gainfully employed is a highly valued sociocultural norm, providing social, psychological, and financial benefits. An occupational role is part of an individual's personal identity. Many individuals, when asked to describe themselves, will begin with their occupational role: "I am a nurse." "I work for Boeing." "I am a fisherman." Such statements articulate not only an identity, but also social worthiness. Unpaid work, such as volunteerism or full time homemaking and child rearing, are also socially valued. However, in the economic systems of westernized cultures, engaging in these work activities generally implies that the individual's or family's financial needs are being met by the gainful employment of at least one family member. In non-westernized societies, work may be

Economic Globalisation and the Environment

“…A similar situation is reported in the US, where the government now requires its agencies to purchase only computers that meet the energy use requirements set out under the ''Energy Star'' programme. 119 However, most of the LCA methodologies adopted to date have been only ''partial'' in scope. For example, 120 Volkswagen Audi have used LCA informally for several years, but have tended to restrict their LCA activities to environmental impacts occurring at certain stages of the product life cycle -in particular, to the application of technologies designed to improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle in use, as well as the recycling and re-use of certain elements of the vehicle at the disposal stage.…”