Precarious Enterprise on the Margins

This book explores the contemporary conditions of marginal work within the context of persistent unemployment, poverty, and homelessness in wealthy nations. Drawing from research concerning three citiesMelbourne, San Francisco, and LondonJessica Gerrard offers a rich account of one of the most precarious informal forms of work: selling homeless street press (The Big Issue and Street Sheet). Combining analyses of sellers' everyday work experiences with theorizations of marginality, working, and learning, Gerrard provides much-needed insight into contemporary forms of entrepreneurial and precarious work. This book demonstrates that those who are unemployed and seemingly unproductive are, in fact, highly productive. They value, desire, and seek practical work experience whilst also struggling to fulfill the basic needs that many of us take for granted.

Draws on and contributes to current debate and research surrounding inequality and marginality within contemporary society Develops the relationship between work and education Engages with literature regarding the nature of contemporary work, and the centrality of work culture and practice in modern life

Autorentext
Jessica Gerrard is Senior Lecturer in Education, Equity, and Politics at the University of Melbourne, Australia.

Zusammenfassung
Combining analyses of sellers' everyday work experiences with theorizations of marginality, working, and learning, Gerrard provides much-needed insight into contemporary forms of entrepreneurial and precarious work.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: Work, Poverty, and Capitalism.- 2. Marginality Reconsidered.- 3. Homeless Street Press: Historical and Contemporary Connections.- 4. Time is Money.- 5. Being Productive: Working, Not Begging.- 6. Learning to Entrepreneurially Labour.- 7. Working in Public: Value, Exchange, and Performance.- 8. Moving On?: Pathways, Aspirations, and Stasis.- 9. Epilogue: Enterprise on the Margins.