an article by Sara Kalm and Johannes Lindvall (Lund University, Sweden) published in Journal of European Social Policy Volume 29 Issue 3 (October 2019)
Abstract
This article puts contemporary debates about the relationship between immigration policy and the welfare state in historical perspective. Relying on new historical data, the article examines the relationship between immigration policy and social policy in Western Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the modern welfare state emerged.
Germany already had comparably strict immigration policies when the German Empire introduced the world’s first national social insurances in the 1880s. Denmark, another early social-policy adopter, also pursued restrictive immigration policies early on.
Almost all other countries in Western Europe started out with more liberal immigration policies than Germany’s and Denmark’s, but then adopted more restrictive immigration policies and more generous social policies concurrently.
There are two exceptions, Belgium and Italy, which are discussed in the article.
Tuesday, 1 October 2019
3 Practices That Help Ease the Pain of Being Highly Empathetic
a post by Tia Cantrell for the Tiny Buddha blog
“I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, I myself become the wounded person.” ~Walt Whitman
Empathy is the ability to put yourself in another’s experience and understand with depth the gravity of their situation. In general, I believe the world needs more empathy.
But I’ve learned over the course of my twenty-nine years that sometimes being a highly empathetic person is incredibly painful. And sometimes too much of a good thing is a bad thing.
Hearing stories of the pain that people experience can be extra painful when your mind tries to carry their pain around with you. Empathy is healthy when it’s useful and helps a wounded person feel understood, validated, or release their pain. But it’s unhealthy when you carry it with you as if it is your own.
Feeling sorrow for someone who is suffering is part of our humanity and connection to each other. Carrying the sorrow as if it belongs to you ends up feeling traumatizing and can cause us to disconnect from others.
Continue reading
“I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, I myself become the wounded person.” ~Walt Whitman
Empathy is the ability to put yourself in another’s experience and understand with depth the gravity of their situation. In general, I believe the world needs more empathy.
But I’ve learned over the course of my twenty-nine years that sometimes being a highly empathetic person is incredibly painful. And sometimes too much of a good thing is a bad thing.
Hearing stories of the pain that people experience can be extra painful when your mind tries to carry their pain around with you. Empathy is healthy when it’s useful and helps a wounded person feel understood, validated, or release their pain. But it’s unhealthy when you carry it with you as if it is your own.
Feeling sorrow for someone who is suffering is part of our humanity and connection to each other. Carrying the sorrow as if it belongs to you ends up feeling traumatizing and can cause us to disconnect from others.
Continue reading
Tips to Reduce Exaggerated Emotions
a post by Aaron Karmin for Anger Management: becoming curious instead of furious [via World of Psychology]
Stressed in traffic photo available from Shutterstock
Stress is tension and pressure that occurs in our lives because of various demands, responsibilities and concerns.
When our boss tells us to work harder or when our children bug us for attention while we’re trying to get dinner ready – that’s stress.
When we’re caught in traffic or when we don’t have enough money in the bank to cover our bills – that’s stress.
Some stress can be healthy. It can give us a challenge or a sense of purpose in our life – like being a father. But when we feel pressure and tension for a long time, it can take a toll on our health and our relationships. For example, being out of work can be very stressful.
Sometimes it’s hard to admit that stress is affecting us or our health. If we can learn to watch for its effects and make changes in our life, we will be better able to cope with stress.
No single technique is effective for managing all stressors. You may need to use more than one of the following suggested methods or use different methods at various times in your life.
Continue reading for Aaron’s 32 suggestions
Stressed in traffic photo available from Shutterstock
Stress is tension and pressure that occurs in our lives because of various demands, responsibilities and concerns.
When our boss tells us to work harder or when our children bug us for attention while we’re trying to get dinner ready – that’s stress.
When we’re caught in traffic or when we don’t have enough money in the bank to cover our bills – that’s stress.
Some stress can be healthy. It can give us a challenge or a sense of purpose in our life – like being a father. But when we feel pressure and tension for a long time, it can take a toll on our health and our relationships. For example, being out of work can be very stressful.
Sometimes it’s hard to admit that stress is affecting us or our health. If we can learn to watch for its effects and make changes in our life, we will be better able to cope with stress.
No single technique is effective for managing all stressors. You may need to use more than one of the following suggested methods or use different methods at various times in your life.
Continue reading for Aaron’s 32 suggestions
Teaching older workers new tricks: workplace practices and gender training differences in nine European countries
an article by Jelle Lössbroek (Utrecht University, The Netherlands) and Jonas Radl (Carlos III University of Madrid, Getafe, Spain; WZB Berlin Social Science Center, Germany) published in Ageing & Society Volume 39 Issue 10 (October 2019)
Abstract
Despite its benefits for prolonging careers, participation in training is far lower among older employees (age 50+) than among younger employees.
This study analyses gender differences in older employees’ training participation.
To investigate the predictors of training intensity, we examine two forms of training: formal educational programmes and on-the-job training. The study draws on a novel data-set, the European Sustainable Workforce Survey, carried out in nine European countries in 2015 and 2016, analysing 2,517 older employees and their managers, spread over 228 organisations.
We concentrate on the interplay between employees’ gender, managers’ gender and managers’ ageism in shaping older employees’ training participation.
Our findings indicate comparable training participation of older men and women in both forms of training, yet older women more often pay for enrolment in educational programmes themselves. Also, predictors of training participation are different. In line with the tenet of ‘gendered ageism’, we find that managerial ageism primarily targets older women, excluding female employees from the training opportunities available to their comparable male colleagues.
Finally, female managers are associated with higher training participation rates for older employees, but only for older men. This result supports ‘queen bee’ arguments and runs counter to ‘homophily’ arguments.
Overall, the study demonstrates that workplace dynamics and managerial decisions contribute to the reproduction of traditional gender divides in the late career.
Full text (PDF 24pp)
Abstract
Despite its benefits for prolonging careers, participation in training is far lower among older employees (age 50+) than among younger employees.
This study analyses gender differences in older employees’ training participation.
To investigate the predictors of training intensity, we examine two forms of training: formal educational programmes and on-the-job training. The study draws on a novel data-set, the European Sustainable Workforce Survey, carried out in nine European countries in 2015 and 2016, analysing 2,517 older employees and their managers, spread over 228 organisations.
We concentrate on the interplay between employees’ gender, managers’ gender and managers’ ageism in shaping older employees’ training participation.
Our findings indicate comparable training participation of older men and women in both forms of training, yet older women more often pay for enrolment in educational programmes themselves. Also, predictors of training participation are different. In line with the tenet of ‘gendered ageism’, we find that managerial ageism primarily targets older women, excluding female employees from the training opportunities available to their comparable male colleagues.
Finally, female managers are associated with higher training participation rates for older employees, but only for older men. This result supports ‘queen bee’ arguments and runs counter to ‘homophily’ arguments.
Overall, the study demonstrates that workplace dynamics and managerial decisions contribute to the reproduction of traditional gender divides in the late career.
Full text (PDF 24pp)
Why supply is the secret to affordable housing
a post by Mario Polese for the OUP blog
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
Housing has become unaffordable for all but the lucky few in many of the world’s great cities. Who can afford to live in New York or Paris? Yet, housing prices can be kept in check. Some cities have succeeded in doing so, as we shall see. The secret is simple: housing supply, which can be stimulated or thwarted by public policy. Basic economics teaches us that rising demand (say for bread) in the face of inadequate supply (of bread) will inevitably lead to higher bread prices. Housing is no exception. The answer, thus, if we wish to keep prices down is to provide more housing. That indeed is the right answer; but easier said than done. For bread, the normal workings of the market (bakers making more when demand increases) will keep prices in check.
Housing, on other hand, is rarely produced under normal market conditions. Housing as well as the makeup of the neighborhoods we live in are highly sensitive issues that directly affect our well-being. Almost all nations have laws and regulations that govern what can be built where; which is why zoning ordinances exist. No one wants a waste dump next door or a high-rise blocking out the sun. How housing markets are regulated varies greatly across nations, reflecting national conditions and tastes. High housing prices in many rich-world cities, not least in the United States, are largely self-inflicted, the result of public policy.
Continue reading
Image by Pete Linforth from PixabayHousing has become unaffordable for all but the lucky few in many of the world’s great cities. Who can afford to live in New York or Paris? Yet, housing prices can be kept in check. Some cities have succeeded in doing so, as we shall see. The secret is simple: housing supply, which can be stimulated or thwarted by public policy. Basic economics teaches us that rising demand (say for bread) in the face of inadequate supply (of bread) will inevitably lead to higher bread prices. Housing is no exception. The answer, thus, if we wish to keep prices down is to provide more housing. That indeed is the right answer; but easier said than done. For bread, the normal workings of the market (bakers making more when demand increases) will keep prices in check.
Housing, on other hand, is rarely produced under normal market conditions. Housing as well as the makeup of the neighborhoods we live in are highly sensitive issues that directly affect our well-being. Almost all nations have laws and regulations that govern what can be built where; which is why zoning ordinances exist. No one wants a waste dump next door or a high-rise blocking out the sun. How housing markets are regulated varies greatly across nations, reflecting national conditions and tastes. High housing prices in many rich-world cities, not least in the United States, are largely self-inflicted, the result of public policy.
Continue reading
Driving the superstar economy: Skilled tradable services
a column by Fabian Eckert, Sharat Ganapati and Conor Walsh for VOX: CEPR’s Policy Portal
In recent years, wages for highly skilled workers have grown rapidly.
Using US data between 1980 and 2015, this column studies a group of service industries that are skill-intensive, widely traded, and have recently seen explosive wage growth. It shows that, unlike any other sector, the wage growth in these industries was strongly biased toward the densest local labour markets and the highest-paying firms.
These developments alone explain 30% of the increase in inequality between the 50th and 90th percentiles of the wage distribution.
Continue reading
In recent years, wages for highly skilled workers have grown rapidly.
Using US data between 1980 and 2015, this column studies a group of service industries that are skill-intensive, widely traded, and have recently seen explosive wage growth. It shows that, unlike any other sector, the wage growth in these industries was strongly biased toward the densest local labour markets and the highest-paying firms.
These developments alone explain 30% of the increase in inequality between the 50th and 90th percentiles of the wage distribution.
Continue reading
Understanding ad avoidance on Facebook: Antecedents and outcomes of psychological reactance
Seounmi Youn (Emerson College, Boston, MA, USA) and Seunghyun Kim (University of Oklahoma, USA) published in Computers in Human Behavior Volume 98 (September 2019)
Highlights
Abstract
Applying psychological reactance theory (PRT) as a theoretical framework, this study investigates reactance-related factors to better understand why consumers avoid advertising on Facebook.
An online survey was conducted to develop and empirically test a conceptual model that integrates the antecedents and outcomes of reactance against Facebook newsfeed ads. Specifically, the study employs Facebook users' perceptions of autonomy, freedom threat, and intrusiveness as antecedents of reactance and measures two sub-constructs of reactance: negative cognitions and anger.
As the outcomes of reactance, two types of ad avoidance are examined: cognitive and behavioral.
The major findings reveal that users’ perceived autonomy decreases their perceptions of ad intrusiveness. Subsequently, ad intrusiveness and freedom threat to use Facebook have a positive effect on reactance, which influences ad avoidance.
Theoretical and managerial implications are also discussed.
Highlights
- Using psychological reactance theory, we examine why Facebook users avoid ads.
- We test a model that integrates antecedents and outcomes of reactance against ads.
- Users' perception of autonomy to control ad exposure decreases ad intrusiveness.
- Ad intrusiveness and freedom threat to use Facebook affect reactance positively.
- Psychological reactance influences cognitive and behavioral ad avoidance on Facebook.
Abstract
Applying psychological reactance theory (PRT) as a theoretical framework, this study investigates reactance-related factors to better understand why consumers avoid advertising on Facebook.
An online survey was conducted to develop and empirically test a conceptual model that integrates the antecedents and outcomes of reactance against Facebook newsfeed ads. Specifically, the study employs Facebook users' perceptions of autonomy, freedom threat, and intrusiveness as antecedents of reactance and measures two sub-constructs of reactance: negative cognitions and anger.
As the outcomes of reactance, two types of ad avoidance are examined: cognitive and behavioral.
The major findings reveal that users’ perceived autonomy decreases their perceptions of ad intrusiveness. Subsequently, ad intrusiveness and freedom threat to use Facebook have a positive effect on reactance, which influences ad avoidance.
Theoretical and managerial implications are also discussed.
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