Becoming solo self-employed in later life: Turning points, autonomy and the lifecourse
In response to calls to extend working lives, there is increased interest in people starting self-employment after the age of 50. This article empirically explores the pathways into self-employment and develops a theoretical model to better answer the question why people move into ‘solo’ self-employment after age 50.
Using a sociological lifecourse theory, it demonstrates how transitions into self-employment are socially embedded and influenced by events preceding the transition.
The 20 in-depth lifecourse interviews with people aged 50+ identified three pathways to self-employment after 50: a ‘turning point’ pathway, a ‘retirement’ pathway and an ‘entrepreneurial orientation’ pathway.
The turning point pathway was most common, involving negative changes at work or in health and/or the family that appeared to generate or enhance a desire, or need, for more autonomy at work that was difficult to find as an employee.
Crucially, ‘linked lives’ and ‘life stage’ provided an opportunity structure that made the move into self-employment feasible, by de-risking it and providing opportunities.