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Slow Workers: Labelling and Labouring in Britain, c. 1909-1955
Summary
This study examines the employment experiences of individuals with intellectual impairments in Britain during the early 20th century. It highlights how
Area of Science:
- Social History
- Disability Studies
- Economic History
Background:
- Historical actors labeled 'mentally defective' and 'mentally handicapped' in early 20th-century Britain.
- Focus on institutionalization and segregation often overshadows community-based experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To historicize and make visible the experiences of individuals with intellectual impairments living in communities.
- To explore the role of employment in their lives.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of historical employment opportunities, both formal and informal.
- Examination of economic factors (growth, recession) and labor market regulations.
- Investigation of workplace categories like 'wage age' versus 'mental age'.
Main Results:
- Significant opportunities for paid employment existed for disabled individuals.
- Economic conditions and labor regulations influenced the visibility of these workers.
- 'Wage age' was a predominant workplace category, superseding 'mental age' until the mid-20th century.
- Intellectually disabled individuals employed precarious 'getting by' strategies, often with low wages but some community inclusion.
Conclusions:
- Employment, even at the margins, provided a means of community inclusion for intellectually disabled individuals.
- Vernacular workplace categories like 'wage age' were more influential than clinical labels in shaping their economic lives.
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