How High Unemployment is Affecting the Unemployed: The Pessimist Versus the Optimist

Current events that led to high rates of unemployment in any area can have a positive or a negative affect on the unemployed who live and work there. At the same time, unemployment can change people’s lives, for better or for worse.

“The best thing that could possibly have happened to me was becoming unemployed!” is the typical attitude of the optimist.    

“The worst thing that could possibly have happened to me was becoming unemployed!” is the typical reaction of the pessimist.

How people respond to unemployment, in conjunction with the reality of high unemployment in any area, can determine how it will affect their lives. No two people who become unemployed respond in exactly the same way; nor should they be expected to do so.

Unemployment rate is “the percentage of the work force that is unemployed at any given date.”

Rates of unemployment tend to vary from one place to another, as well as seasonally. For example, tourism is seasonal employment and as such, may be at its highest rate in the summer months and decrease at other times of the year, unless there are other, more seasonal-oriented activities.  

A high unemployment rate in an area suggests that the percentage of unemployed people exceeds normal, expected or anticipated levels.

Note that unemployment rates fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, in every part of the world. There is no race, creed or culture exempt from high unemployment, at one time or another. Because of ongoing, global economic shifts, unemployment rates may be predictable to some extent, but that is not always the case. The unexpected always happens.     

“I am unemployed!” initially comes as a shock to anyone who loses his or her job. Even anticipated unemployment in areas of high unemployment, can trigger a shock-like reaction. “I knew it was coming, but I did not really believe it would happen to me! Multiply this many times over and a whole community can be in a state of shock.  

“What do I do? Help!” is often the first reaction of unemployed individuals. For others, “What can I do?” opens the possibility of new horizons of inquiry, in terms of self-help. “Can I create my own employment?”

The unemployed are not all pessimists. Some are optimists, who take immediate action on their own and attempt to create different kinds of employment using their existing skill sets, in order to generate ongoing income for themselves and others.

“I have some time off!”

There are those who have worked many, long hours and sudden unemployment presents a break in routine for them. They are happy to be unemployed, particularly when they know it is only temporary and that their jobs will still exist in the future. For them, it can be like having an unexpected holiday. It is a time to rest, travel and visit family for friends. That works great when their income continues at the same level or close to it, regardless of high unemployment levels in the area.

“Now, I can finally do some of the things that I always wanted to do.”

Unfortunately, that is not always the case. High unemployment rates in certain areas may signify the loss of significant income for many individuals, families and communities. Job loss for even one person can affect the lives of many others. Forced early retirement may be a factor for some of those who are not ready to retire.

Base survival often depends upon dealing with the reality of unemployment in a positive, constructive and 

realistic way.  

Sometimes, high unemployment in an area leads to a waiting game for the unemployed, as some people continue to wake up each morning, wondering if that particular day will prove to be better in terms of employment and they may be disappointed when nothing happens.

Many unemployed people expect that some kind of employment will come to them, at some time or in an unexpected way. High unemployment rates in the area may make that unlikely. Some unemployed people remain hopeful with regard to the possibility of change for the better in terms of employment, even when unemployment rates are high.

“I have excellent technological skills and someone, somewhere, will find me and recognize that I would be a good fit in their organization.”

A community may suggest, “Others need our services.”

Some who are unemployed tend to be more proactive and go out to find employment. They will seek whatever they can find to do in terms of jobs, wherever, regardless of whether it means separation from families or friends and moving to new areas. Some people head for places where employment levels are higher or make major moves to different countries. Mass migration can occur due to high unemployment levels.

“I will be re-trained for a higher paying job,” is something that any unemployed person, may expect in areas of high unemployment. In situations like this, there can be a sense of hope and high expectation. At times, these people may have to seek re-training, as it does not automatically come to them. There may be government incentive programs offered to the unemployed.

Unemployment can affect the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health of many people in areas of high unemployment. Latent illnesses may begin to surface, when there is a sense of helplessness or hopelessness. Health problems that have seemed to be relatively unimportant when employed, may suddenly reappear, because of the fear and insecurity of high unemployment levels.

On the other hand, there are those who suddenly become unemployed and choose to take advantage of the opportunity to spend their time, improving their health, by getting involved in more physical activities like recreational programs or doing more things at home, like gardening. Some who are unemployed will take on lesser paying jobs or even menial jobs, just to stay employed in some way. Sometimes, there is role reversal at home, when there is unemployment.

Hobbies and pastimes often fill the empty hours of many people who have become unemployed in areas of high unemployment. Reading, camping, cycling, fishing or hiking, may be the kinds of things they have always wanted to do, but have never had the time to do. Some unemployed people will return to school in high unemployment areas, even if it means taking out student loans to do so. Entrepreneurs may attempt to establish new business ventures and seek small business training programs.

Job searching online, filling out paperwork, sending or delivering endless resumes, sometimes seems like a hopeless proposition, particularly in areas of high unemployment. Some unemployed people will travel from company to company, seeking job interviews, employment counseling or answers to their employment problems, in regions where unemployment levels are high. They know that someone who is there at the right time, is more likely to obtain a job than someone who simply submits a resume.

One might suggest that whatever the unemployed choose to do, will ultimately determine their futures, at least to some extent. There are always variables to consider in high unemployment areas.

Maintaining a positive, constructive attitude to unemployment, places this kind of a situation in the position of being a possible building block, rather than an obstacle encumbering people’s lives. For example, those living in areas of high unemployment may choose to initiate new community projects, because the people needed to carry them out are currently unemployed and available.  

An eternal optimist will suggest that there is always something that the unemployed can do, even in areas of high unemployment or learn to do over time, while a pessimist would invariably negate every possibility of employment.