Year: 2001
Type: book
Abstract: Since its beginnings, the research project in which this study is included is concerned with the characterisation and understanding of the meaning of work and with the psychological process of its construction in our societies.This option is based upon the assumption that work, within the dominant culture of Western societies, has a key role in the way through which people construct meaning and interpret their lives, allowing their framing and understanding (Collin & Young, 1992).A significant portion of our personal and social definition comes from our occupational activity, in as much as it not only allows us to ground a sense of identity based on our actions' outcomes but also appears as something susceptible of being recognised and assessed by others (Savickas, 1990).In other words, the way in which we live our lives is strongly determined by what we do, by our work (Peavy, 1994 ;Richardson, 1993 ;Savickas, 1990).In addition, the performance of work roles cannot be dissociated from a person's needs and priorities in life, mirrored, among other things, in his or hers personal goals, feeling of fulfilment, sense of well being or desired life-style (Davidson & Gilbert, 1993).As Herr (1997) suggests, when thinking about work related issues, a person is confronted with the « who am I ?» question, making obvious the need to understand the interactions being established between this area and other life contexts, such as the family or the community (Manuele-Adkins, 1992 ;Super, 1980).This interactivity which characterises the « whole person » constellation of life roles and activities (Betz & Cornig, 1993) justifies the option for a wider perspective of human existence, being its aim the development of a meaningful, balanced and integrated sense of one's whole trajectory (Cochran, 1994). 1 http://aifref.uqam.ca
Authors: Filomena Parada, Joaquim Luís Coimbra
Institution: Universidade do Porto
Language: English
Topic: Education and Work Dynamics
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W331661815