Overview

What makes human activity meaningful? This book explores how social, economic and political forces have shaped the meaning of 'occupation' throughout history. Tracing the shift from industrial capitalism's division of 'work' and 'life,' it analyses how movements for gender equality, labour rights, decolonization and disability activism have contested what is considered meaningful. From the trade union fight for shorter hours to the feminist reimagining of domestic labour, the book examines the struggles over who defines occupation and for whose benefit. With case studies by activist scholars, this provocative book reveals how conflicts are central to shaping modern social relations.

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9781529242539

Table of Contents

Reviews

‘This book advances an original argument both at the theoretical and empirical levels, which recentres ‘occupation’ as a meaningful activity. In so doing, it resists the radical sundering of the worlds of employment and life by capitalism, but also warns of the deepening domination of all facets of existence by the imperatives of capital. A critique is offered of the professional practices of occupational therapy as an expression of an alienated existence that adjusts people to the sources of their social suffering. Social suffering is all the more painful when people are made to feel that it is the result of personal failings, rather than the underlying conditions of structural inequalities of power. The case studies in this collection enjoin social movement theory to challenge the social reproduction of supposedly ‘natural’ incapacities, degradation and domination in grossly unequal social relations of class, gender, colonialism, neurodiversity, disability, environment, schooling and culture. It will be of interest to sociologists, activists, students and perhaps even professionals who wish to reflect critically on their practice.’ Alex Law, Professor of Sociology, Abertay University ‘The impressive range of case studies is a crucial pedagogical aid in understanding the complex nature of concepts such as alienation, meaningfulness and even choice in the context of occupation. The authors are to be congratulated for assembling this resource.’ Jeanette Findlay, University of Glasgow and University and College Union Scotland

Author Information

Maria Giatsi Clausen is Senior Lecturer in the Division of Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and a trade union representative with University and College Union. Eurig Scandrett is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and a trade union representative with University and College Union.

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