Identity-in-the-work and musicians’ struggles: the production of self-questioning identity work

Nic Beech, Charlotte Gilmore, Paul Hibbert and Sierk Ybema
Additional contact information
Nic Beech: University of Dundee, UK
Charlotte Gilmore: University of Edinburgh, UK
Paul Hibbert: University of St Andrews, UK
Sierk Ybema: VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Work, Employment & Society, 2016, vol. 30, issue 3, 506-522

Abstract: Identity work is widely regarded as a process through which people strive to establish, maintain or restore a coherent and consistent sense of self. In the face of potential disruptions of, or threats to, their identities, people seek to salvage their sense of self by resolving tensions and restoring consistency. In contrast to the current identity work literature, this research indicates that identity work is not always about seeking resolution and moving on, but sometimes about continuing struggles which do not achieve a secure sense of self. This article seeks to elaborate the understanding of unresolved identity work by exploring three contexts of the everyday practice of indie musicians. An analysis of how they struggle to construct acceptable versions of their selves as songwriter, bandleader and front(wo)man allows us to develop the conceptualization of self-questioning (as opposed to self-affirmative, resolution-oriented) identity work.

Keywords: creative industries; identity work; musicians; struggles; tensions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:woemps:v:30:y:2016:i:3:p:506-522

DOI: 10.1177/0950017015620767

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