How families cope when the male breadwinner is unemployed

Abstract

'Employment is important because it provides income, activity, social contact, and status. Employment also gives cohesion to individual's lives. This is threatened by unemployment, and the threat is an immediate and frightening one.' (White, 1995) The focus of this study is to see the story behind the numbers of unemployment and to understand the coping mechanisms used when the male breadwinner is unemployed. Since I believe that the topic of my research study is important and unique for every participant, I chose to use the general interview guide approach. I conducted interviews with 14 unemployed men and their families. The findings that were derived from the interviews provided clear signs that unemployment brings about various problems, not only to the individual but it reverberates through the whole family. The key issues that have emerged are that problems experienced by unemployed male breadwinner and their families that do not have any coping mechanisms and have limited support are far worse than families who have found adequate coping mechanisms to cope with unemployment. From the analysis it emerged that the role of a social worker can be essential in helping the unemployed breadwinner and his family. The Plight of families where the male breadwinner is unemployed should not be forgotten. A set of recommendations has been developed in order to support the families to cope with the challenges that unemployment brings within a family.