Unemployed by choice: young creative people in the precarious labour market

Abstract

Young creative people use the Danish unemployment benefit system in other ways than it is designed. They pursue their dreams by working in a professional fi eld such as art, culture and communication. As Michael, one of the interviewees says: “I view unemployment benefit as entrepreneurial support”. The practice is illegal and Michael knows it: “I don’t do what I am supposed to”. Based on interviews with 39 young unemployed people I explore how some people understand and conduct themselves as “unemployed by choice” meaning they actively choose to get unemployment benefits rather than finding ordinary employment. Inspired by governmentality studies and the concepts ‘technologies of power’ and ‘technologies of the self’ I investigate how young people are governed and how they govern themselves as unemployed by choice. In the article I unfold how they find cracks in the employment system. Being unemployed by choice is a subversive practice that challenges the meaning of ‘unemployment’ as well as the hegemonic understanding of work as paid work. The unemployment benefit system is based on an understanding of work as ‘labour’, whereas the young people understand and conduct themselves based on an understanding of work as meaningful activity (‘work’).