Significado do trabalho e envelhecimento

Abstract

Reconhece-se que os significados do trabalho podem ser distintos para os sujeitos em função de diversos fatores como profissão, faixa etária, contexto sócio-histórico. Foram investigados dezoito ex-executivos em processo de envelhecimento, escolhidos intencionalmente em função de sua idade e cargo que ocupavam. O processo de coleta de dados foi realizado por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas, analisadas pela Análise do Discurso. Constatou-se que as variadas formas de trabalho dão significado à vida, auxiliam no resgate de formas de status e poder e contribuem para a manutenção das identidades profissionais, além de minimizarem os efeitos sociais e físicos do envelhecimento.It was recognized that the meanings of work maybe different for individuals depending on various factors such as profession, age, socio-historical context. This article aims to investigate the meanings that former executives with over sixty years of age attribute to work after retirement from their managerial functions. It was investigated eighteen former executive managers in the process of aging, intentionally chosen because of their age and the job position they had occupied. The process of data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews, analyzed by Discourse Analysis. It was noted that the varied forms of work provide meanings to life, help maintaining some forms of status and power and contribute to the maintenance of professional identities. In addition, they also minimize the social and physical effects of aging.