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People Who Lose Jobs Become Hermits
Live Science ^ | Sep 1, 2008 | Jeanna Bryner

Posted on 09/01/2008 6:13:16 AM PDT by decimon

Layoffs can turn social butterflies into near hermits who shun such outlets as book clubs and even church groups, finds a new study.

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The researchers suggest the reason could come down to tit for tat, or an attitude of "you don't scratch my back, why should I scratch yours?"

"Social engagement often involves an element of social trust and a sense that things are reciprocal - that you give some support if you get some support, and you benefit from society if society benefits from you," said lead researcher Jennie Brand, a sociologist at UCLA. "When workers are displaced, the tendency is to feel as though the social contract has been violated, and we found that they are less likely to reciprocate."

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(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Society
KEYWORDS: jobs; retirement
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There is another kind of scratch involved; the kind that folds into a wallet. Without that scratch, you can do little more than sit and scratch.
1 posted on 09/01/2008 6:14:00 AM PDT by decimon
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To: decimon

Been there. I know exactly what they’re talking about.


2 posted on 09/01/2008 6:16:10 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
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To: Non-Sequitur
Been there. I know exactly what they’re talking about.

Yup. This is just an extract of the study but it looks like they got it right. A job/career has been much of most men's lives and is becoming so for many women.

3 posted on 09/01/2008 6:25:42 AM PDT by decimon
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To: decimon

Speaking for myself I tended to avoid people because I was tired of the breezy “So how’s the job hunt going?” And regarless of the answer, the response always was “Well, you’ll find something.” It doesn’t help.


4 posted on 09/01/2008 6:29:21 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
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To: decimon

Very true. I know when I first moved to Florida I was stubborn and didn’t want to cut my hair for a menial job. The longer I went without a job the more withdrawn I became. It truly was a vicious cycle.


5 posted on 09/01/2008 6:30:10 AM PDT by Blue Highway
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To: Non-Sequitur

Funny you mention that. A friend of mine has been laid off and I told a customer of mine to keep praying for them. Only problem is now every week they ask me if they found a job yet. I feel bad when every week I say no not yet as it’s been a few months now...


6 posted on 09/01/2008 6:31:37 AM PDT by Blue Highway
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To: Non-Sequitur
Speaking for myself I tended to avoid people because I was tired of the breezy “So how’s the job hunt going?” And regarless of the answer, the response always was “Well, you’ll find something.” It doesn’t help.

Those bozo questions/comments come with everything you'd rather not talk about. I try to avoid being that questioning bozo but being that bozo is the most natural thing.

7 posted on 09/01/2008 6:51:25 AM PDT by decimon
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To: decimon

When you don’t have a job you don’t have money to put gas in the car to go to social events. I have never been laid off but the time is coming and already I’m starting to be far more careful in spending my money, in case I don’t have a job lined up to go to. I have turned down social invitations that would have required a four-hour round trip because of the gas involved and the wear-and-tear on the car. Far from being broke now, just being prudent.


8 posted on 09/01/2008 7:24:57 AM PDT by ottbmare
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To: ottbmare
Far from being broke now, just being prudent.

Being prudent is prudent.

May I ask which age group you are in?

9 posted on 09/01/2008 7:35:49 AM PDT by decimon
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To: Non-Sequitur

Same here, and $4 gas only reinforces it.


10 posted on 09/01/2008 7:52:47 AM PDT by Mediocrates (The Audacity of Hype)
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To: decimon

My remedy was going back to school.... a trade school can provide an outlet and an opportunity, and can be cost effective.


11 posted on 09/01/2008 7:57:26 AM PDT by mike_9958
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To: mike_9958

We’re going through it right now. Hubby forced to retire, my losing my job. The worst though, is getting used to being together 24 hrs a day. We are going to start doing some home renovations. It will only get worse or get better.


12 posted on 09/01/2008 8:01:03 AM PDT by KYGrandma (The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home)
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To: mike_9958
My remedy was going back to school.... a trade school can provide an outlet and an opportunity, and can be cost effective.

Sounds good to me. If you're young enough to still get hired in some field then some adult education or community college courses could do the trick.

13 posted on 09/01/2008 8:02:14 AM PDT by decimon
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To: Non-Sequitur

Been there too....avoided some social situations because I didn’t like admitting I didn’t have a job.

Bad thing is that when you need to network the most is when you least feel like it.


14 posted on 09/01/2008 8:09:57 AM PDT by Eagle Eye (McCain hasn't ever had an opponent with whom he wouldn't cooperate nor a friend he wouldn't betray)
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To: decimon
Hmmm... when the telecom meltdown occurred, I made it through 5 layoffs at my company. When my time came to be univited to the employment party, I spent 5 days per week networking / going to the library doing job searches... took me about 3 months, but I was back on track and in the party. I'm still at same company (5.5 years now).

So I guess I became some type of hermit... a library hermit ;-)

15 posted on 09/01/2008 8:12:17 AM PDT by Trajan88 (www.bullittclub.com)
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To: decimon

What’s worse is getting your contract terminated because you “violated company policy”, but did so because you thought it was the right thing to do. Especially when the company was violating a federal reg, but you’ve got no recourse because of an arbitration clause in your contract. Now we have to wait two weeks to get a dac report to find out if said company put anything erroneous on it to prevent us from seeking employment elsewhere.


16 posted on 09/01/2008 8:15:36 AM PDT by Not just another dumb blonde
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To: decimon
If you're young enough to still get hired in some field...

I went back to school thru VA VocRehab at the young age of 35 to start an engineering degree. Calculus was a b***ch and I got a sympathy D from a professor younger than me!

But it worked out fairly well after nearly 5 years of part time work, sometimes 3 part time jobs while going to school full time.

Then I got to see the disappointed looks on interviewers' faces when they thought they were interviewing someone age 25=28 instead of someone pushing 40.

What kept me going was the friends and family that didn't think I could do it!

Ha! In their faces!

17 posted on 09/01/2008 8:17:51 AM PDT by Eagle Eye (McCain hasn't ever had an opponent with whom he wouldn't cooperate nor a friend he wouldn't betray)
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To: decimon

What’s worse is getting your contract terminated because you “violated company policy”, but did so because you thought it was the right thing to do. Especially when the company was violating a federal reg, but you’ve got no recourse because of an arbitration clause in your contract. Now we have to wait two weeks to get a dac report to find out if said company put anything erroneous on it to prevent us from seeking employment elsewhere.


18 posted on 09/01/2008 8:17:58 AM PDT by Not just another dumb blonde
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To: decimon
I've been laid off 5 weeks now and have never been more active, mostly because I'm finally off the %@&# night shift.

Have attended a family bbq, played with the worship band at church, met the buddies for breakfast, went out for beers with friends and am going to a UFC party next Saturday.

Best part everyone knows I'm broke and insists on buying.

Life is good.

19 posted on 09/01/2008 8:18:59 AM PDT by Manic_Episode (Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps...)
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To: decimon

I’m in my late forties.
I work in a peripheral (non-patient-care) medical area. There are jobs available in my field and I’m taking courses to position myself better. I’m not seriously worried except inasmuch as I’m a worrier by nature.


20 posted on 09/01/2008 8:36:11 AM PDT by ottbmare
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