The move away from a Fordist mass production economy in advanced economies since the 1990s has been well documented by sociologists. In its place, economies are increasingly characterised by fragmented production chains, self-employment, and the aggressive adoption of productivity-increasing technology. Many people are beginning to worry whether they will be stuck with temporary contracts forever, whether their jobs will soon be done by robots, and whether their employers will fire them and move their companies abroad. These economic changes demand lifestyle changes. Flexibility and continued education, especially in computer skills, become more important. At the same time, it becomes harder to combine work with having a family. Because of the increasingly interrupted work biographies, individuals accumulate fewer pension rights, which can increase the risk for old age poverty. As a result of such changes, new social risks patterns of social inequalities may emerge.
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