‘Not Smiling but Frowning’: Sociology and the ‘Problem of Happiness’

Cieslik, Mark

doi:10.1177/0038038514543297

Cited by 44 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Altruistic volunteering, as expected, is linked to ideas of selflessness and working towards the common good and collective ideals (Cieslik, 2015;Cotterill, 1992). Militant volunteering also embraces collectivism in the sense that it resembles 'new social movements' (Bassel, 2014;Sklair, 1995).…”

Section: Towards a Typology Of Volunteering As Unpaid Workmentioning

confidence: 67%

More Than a ‘Little Act of Kindness’? Towards a Typology of Volunteering as Unpaid Work

2017

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Definitions of volunteering are widespread and complex, yet relatively little attention is given to volunteering as unpaid work, even though it intersects with the worlds of paid employment and the domestic sphere, cutting across individual/collective and public/private spaces. This article advances a typology of volunteering work (altruistic, instrumental, militant and forced volunteering/'voluntolding') that illuminates the complexity and dynamism of volunteering. Using qualitative data from a study of 30 volunteers to explore practices of volunteering as they unfold in daily life, the typology provides much-needed conceptual building blocks for a theory of 'volunteering as unpaid work'. This perspective helps transcend the binaries prevalent in the sociology of work and provides a lens to rethink what counts as work in contemporary society. It also invites further research about the effects of 'voluntolding' on individuals and society, and on the complex relationship between volunteering work and outcomes at a personal and collective level.

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Section: Towards a Typology Of Volunteering As Unpaid Workmentioning

confidence: 67%

More Than a ‘Little Act of Kindness’? Towards a Typology of Volunteering as Unpaid Work

2017

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“…Inspired by recent arguments that probing into such subjectivity may be important and informative (see Brown et al 2012;Budd and Spencer 2014), we take a contrasting approach by focusing on the subjective components of job satisfaction evaluations. We argue that such components are not random noise but are instead deeply rooted in social processes and relationships, and offer important insights into the mechanisms that underpin individuals' satisfaction reports (Brown et al 2012;Cieslik 2015). Particularly, we theorize and test differences between individuals with disadvantaged statuses (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…We argue that such components are not random noise but are instead deeply rooted in social processes and relationships, and offer important insights into the mechanisms that underpin individuals’ satisfaction reports (Brown et al . ; Cieslik ). Particularly, we theorize and test differences between individuals with disadvantaged statuses (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Happier with the Same: Job Satisfaction of Disadvantaged Workers

Perales

Tomaszewski

2015

Brit J Industrial Rel

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In recent years there has been progressive recognition that individuals' self-perceptions of their wellbeing usefully complement objective welfare indicators. Wellbeing in relation to work, captured by self-reported job satisfaction, has not been an exception. However, job satisfaction evaluations depend not only on the objective circumstances workers experience in their jobs, but also on their subjective dispositions, such as their aspirations, expectations or personal evaluation criteria. We use matched employer-employee data from the UK and a within job modelling strategy to unveil whether and how subjective dispositions influencing job satisfaction vary across workers with different socio-demographic characteristics. We find that personal characteristics matter substantially more than job characteristics in determining job satisfaction, and that workers from disadvantaged collectives (i.e. female, very old or very young, non-white, homosexual or non-degree-educated) report higher satisfaction with the same jobs than those from advantaged collectives (i.e. male, middle-aged, non-white, heterosexual or non-degreeeducated).

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“…Ahuvia et al (2015) propose a two-part model for categorising these competing dialogues by identifying 'change the world' and 'change your mind' approaches to being happy. While much of the discussion in happiness discourse focuses on the latter, we argue that evidence indicates the former is significantly more effective (Easterlin, 2003;Cieslik, 2015. Happiness consists of both fleeting feelings and more ongoing, sometimes shared, experiences of satisfaction, wellbeing or contentment (Cieslik, 2015: 427).…”

Section: Happiness Studies and The Need For Understanding Happiness Amentioning

confidence: 90%

Relational happiness through recognition and redistribution: Emotion and inequality

Holmes

McKenzie

2018

European Journal of Social Theory

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This article develops a model of relational happiness that challenges popular individualized definitions and emphasizes how it can enhance the sociological analysis of inequality. Many studies of happiness suggest that social inequalities are closely associated with distributions of happiness at the national level, but happiness research continues to favour individual-level analyses. Limited attention has been given to the intersubjective aspects of happiness and the correlations between it and higher social equality. Conversely, key theoretical debates about inequalities, such as Axel Honneth and Nancy Fraser’s exchanges, have only indirectly touched on happiness. A relational approach to happiness is not new, but what this article offers is a new combination of a relational understanding of happiness as an intersubjectively, culturally experienced complex of emotions with discussions about recognition of marginalized groups and redistribution of material resources. This combined approach can further debates about understanding and remedying social inequalities. It argues that theories and measurements of happiness must consider how it can be achieved collectively through working at mutual respect as well as greater material equality.

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‘Not Smiling but Frowning’: Sociology and the ‘Problem of Happiness’

Cited by 44 publications

References 23 publications

More Than a ‘Little Act of Kindness’? Towards a Typology of Volunteering as Unpaid Work

More Than a ‘Little Act of Kindness’? Towards a Typology of Volunteering as Unpaid Work

Happier with the Same: Job Satisfaction of Disadvantaged Workers

Relational happiness through recognition and redistribution: Emotion and inequality

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