The ideological project of neoliberalism has implications in everyday life. One fundamental aspect of this is the discursive construction of choice within neoliberalism that suggests the individual is free to choose from unlimited options. This thesis investigates this discourse and how it is understood, incorporated and reproduced in the everyday lives of young adults. Using a case study of the 'missing generation' of young adults in Katoomba, New South Wales, this thesis explores the intersection between everyday choices and the discursive construction of choice. First, it argues that there is a disconnect between these two types of choice, and that young adults negotiate the disconnect in a variety of ways. Second, this thesis suggests that the enduring importance of belonging disrupts the discursive construction of choice, particularly through the redefinition of the concepts of 'opportunity' and 'limit'. Third, it argues that the discourse of choice is more evident in the discussion of institutions than other aspects of life, such as family. Finally, it argues that there is significant analytic value in approaching neoliberalism as an open-ended process which shapes human experience but is not that experience itself.
Date of Award | 2016 |
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Original language | English |
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- neoliberalism
- choice
- young adults
- Australia
The discourse of choice and the 'missing generation'
Sidoti, F. (Author). 2016
Western Sydney University thesis: Master's thesis