Extending Habitus to Employment Preferences: Identifying Social-actors Influencing Employment Choices Including Self-employment Among Youth in J&K (India)

Abstract Bourdieu’s theoretical concept habitus theorises that past experiences are highly likely to influence an individual’s behaviour. Using primary data collected from graduating youth of Jammu region of the State of Jammu & Kashmir (India), the article leverages the tool of ranking to explore the validity of habitus on the employment preferences (including self-employment) of youth standing at the bordering stage of education and employment. With data collected on a paired comparison scale, the study goes on to apply non-parametric tests to study the impact of social actors viz. Parents, Teachers, Friends etc. on the employment choices of respondents, and these actors have been designated as likely ‘Opinion-makers’ of employment choices. The findings seem to strongly support the theory of habitus in employment choice decisions and, in the process, reveal very explicit handles for the policy makers aiming to promote entrepreneurship in the society under study. The possibility of adjusting this tool to suit the unique nature of different societies has also been discussed.