Cette thèse a pour but d’analyser comment se déroule le processus de construction de l’identité professionnelle et comment ce processus a lieu moyeannt la précarité de la reconnaissance au travail de part de ses pairs et par l’hiérarchie. L’identité professionnelle correspond à un processus qui commence lors de la fin des cours de formation; qui continue tout au long de la confrontation avec les relations, l’ambiance et le marché de travail et qui rend possible la construction d’une image personnelle que l’individu veut présenter. Par l’analyse du processus de socialisation du professionnel dans les relations de travail il devient possible non seulement de comprendre le processus de construction de l’identité professionnelle, mais aussi de s’approcher du concept de profession dans l’actualité. En faisant cette analyse, on vérifie, par conséquent, la construction de l’identité au travail, qui se fonde sur trois éléments – la reconnaissance, l’autonomie et la coopération au travail – et qui confère à l’individu la possibilité d’un retour sur soi même capable de lui faire se sentir inclus dans des cercles d’égaux. Afin d’analyser le processus de construction de l’identité professionnelle, on a décidé d’ajouter un quatrième élement, celui de la connaissance professionnelle, lequel, tout comme les autres éléments cités ci-dessous, est l’un des axes d’analyse de cette thèse. Comme source de matériel empirique, on a choisi l’analyse du professionnel physiothérapeute inséré dans une unité de traitement intensif, en vue de l’indéfinition éventuelle de ses attributions et de ses contributions au travail de l’unité de traitement intensif, par rapport au travail du médecin, par exemple. La méthodologie utilisée dans cette thèse s’est fondée sur une approche qualitative, avec des questionnaires demistructurés qui ont été présentés le long de 2009 à 20 physiothérapeutes, 17 médecins et 17 infirmiers qui travaillent dans 14 unités de traitement intensif dans la ville de Porto Alegre, aussi que sur l’observation directe de deux unités de traitement intensif. L’analyse de contenu des donnés collectées permis comprendre le matériel empirique associé au référentiel théorique. Comme résultat de cette étude, on voit le rôle du processus de construction de l’identité au travail comme une étape conditionnante de la construction de l’identité professionnelle. En plus, cette étude démontre l’importance de la connaissance professionnelle, caracterisée par la connaissance scientifique, contextuelle et réflexive, comme condition pour qu’un travailleur puisse construire une identité professionnelle stabilisée. Moyennant l’impossibilité que l’individu ne construise une identité au travail stabilisée à cause de la précarité de la reconnaissance au travail, on s’aperçoit de la difficulté que le professionnel trouve pour gagner de la visibilité et pour construire la connaissance professionnel dans les relations de travail. Ladite difficulté tend à compromettre la construction de l’identité professionnel. / Esta tese tem por objetivo analisar como ocorre o processo de construção da identidade profissional e como este processo acontece mediante a precariedade de reconhecimento no trabalho pelos pares e pela hierarquia. A identidade profissional corresponde a um processo que tem seu início na saída do curso de formação e que continua ao longo da confrontação com as relações, o ambiente e o mercado de trabalho e que proporciona a construção de uma imagem pessoal que o indivíduo quer apresentar. Entende-se que ao analisar o processo de socialização do profissional nas relações de trabalho torna-se possível compreender não apenas o processo de construção da identidade profissional, mas também permite se aproximar do conceito de profissão na atualidade. Ao realizar tal análise, verifica-se, por conseguinte, a construção da identidade no trabalho que tem por base três elementos – o reconhecimento, a autonomia e a cooperação no trabalho – e que confere ao indivíduo a possibilidade de um retorno a si mesmo capaz de sentir-se incluído em círculos iguais. Para analisar o processo de construção da identidade profissional, opta-se por agregar um quarto elemento, o conhecimento profissional, que junto aos elementos citados anteriormente compõem os eixos de análise desta tese. Como material empírico, optou-se por analisar o profissional fisioterapeuta inserido em UTI pela indefinição eventual de suas atribuições e contribuições no trabalho da UTI em comparação ao trabalho médico, por exemplo. A metodologia utilizada neste estudo amparou-se em uma abordagem qualitativa, com a utilização de roteiros de entrevista semi-estruturados que foram aplicados em 20 fisioterapeutas, 17 médicos e 17 enfermeiros atuantes em 14 diferentes UTIs na cidade de Porto Alegre ao longo do ano de 2009, bem como a observação direta de duas UTIs. Foi realizada uma análise de conteúdo dos dados coletados que permitiram a compreensão do material empírico associado ao referencial teórico. Como resultado deste estudo, destaca-se o papel do processo de construção da identidade no trabalho como etapa condicionante à construção da identidade profissional. Ademais, este estudo demonstra a importância do conhecimento profissional caracterizado pelo conhecimento científico, contextual e reflexivo, como condição para que o trabalhador possa construir uma identidade profissional estabilizada. Mediante a impossibilidade do indivíduo construir uma identidade no trabalho estabilizada em decorrência da precariedade de reconhecimento no trabalho, percebe-se a dificuldade do profissional em dar visibilidade e construir o conhecimento profissional nas relações de trabalho. Tal dificuldade tende a comprometer a construção da identidade profissional. / This thesis analyzes how the process of professional identity building takes place and, in particular, how it takes place in the context of precarious recognition by peers and superiors at work. Professional identity is a process that begins at the end of one’s studies, goes on throughout the period one faces labor relations, environment and market, and makes possible the building of a personal image that individuals want to present. By analyzing the professional’s process of socialization in labor relations, we can not only understand the process of professional identity building, but also approach the concept of profession in our days. By carrying out such an analysis, we see the building of identity at work, which is based on three elements – recognition, autonomy and cooperation at work – and which gives individuals a chance to return to themselves to feel included in peer circles. To analyze the process of professional identity building we choose to add a fourth element, professional knowledge, which, together with the other elements aforementioned, is an axe of this thesis. The empirical material source of this thesis was professional physiotherapists working at Intensive Care Units (ICUs), due to their frequently indefinite attributions and contributions to the work, in comparison to physicians’ work, for example. The methodology used in this thesis is based on a qualitative approach, with semi-structured questionnaires which were handed out to 20 physiotherapists, 17 physicians and 17 nurses working at 14 ICUs in Porto Alegre in 2009, as well as on direct observation of two ICUs. The content analysis of the data collected was used to understand the empirical material associated with the theory references. As an outcome of this study, we view the role of the identity at work building process as a stepping stone to professional identity building. Besides, this study highlights how important professional knowledge, characterized by scientific, contextual and reflexive knowledge, is as a condition for workers to build a stable professional identity. By being impossible for individuals to build a stable identity at work due to precarious recognition at work, we realize how difficult it is for them to gain visibility and build professional knowledge at labor relations. Such a difficulty tends to compromise professional identity building.

25 années ont passé depuis la chute du mur de Berlin. Cependant, le chemin vers l’« union intérieure », comme l’a prônée Helmut Kohl en 1997, est encore long. Mystification et standardisation marquent le discours normatif et médiatique. Le temps semble être venu de chercher de nouveaux paradigmes ; c’est ce que tente d’apporter ce travail. Par le biais d’un procédé méthodique qualitatif novateur à partir de photo-interviews biographiques analysées avec la méthode documentaire, il propose une nouvelle perspective sur les questions d’identité et de socialisation. L’étude porte sur la façon dont les anciens citoyens de RDA, dans la confrontation avec leurs photos du passé, gèrent « habituellement » (en référence au concept d’habitus) leurs identités personnelle et sociale, ainsi que les attentes normatives. Le but est de reconstruire les structures de savoirs qui guident l’interaction et, allant plus loin, la construction de l’identité du Moi. Il s’agit d’observer si des signes de travail identitaire sont visibles, et si oui, quels sont les facteurs déterminants. À partir de l’analyse des photographies privées et de leur réception, je démontre que les individus disposent de ressources habituelles qui déterminent la construction identitaire. Ces ressources dépendent fortement d’expériences de reconnaissance qui, en partie, ont été expérimentées dans l’environnement primaire (famille et groupe de pairs). Un rôle décisif joue par ailleurs l’expérience d’une « désintégration sociale ». Je montre également que d’éventuelles césures, dans le contexte de la Réunification, étaient primairement dues à des changements à un niveau social et individuel, et non pas systémique. / 25 years have passed since the fall of the Berlin wall. However, the way to an « inner union » –praised by Helmut Kohl in 1997 –is still long. Mystification and standardisation shape the normative and medial discourse. The time seems to have come to search for new paradigmata, which this thesis wants to achieve. With the help of an innovative qualitative methodological approach, this study suggests a new perspective on questions of identity and socialisation. It is based on the analysis of biography-oriented photo-interviews with the documentary method. The examination of how former GDR citizens deal with their photographs of the past, aims at exploring how they « habitually » (referring to the concept of habitus) deal with personal and social identity as well as with normative expectations. The goal of the study is to examine underlying structures of knowledge that guide the interaction and thus the construction of Self-Identity. This project was to observe if signs of identity work can be found and, if yes, which factors are decisive. The study of the private photographs and their reception finally demonstrates that individuals are « equipped » with habitual resources that determine their way of constructing identity. These resources strongly depend on experiences with recognition, which have partially been made by these individuals in the primary environment, such as in the family or amongst peers. Furthermore, the experience of « social disintegration » has a prominent part to play. It can be seen that disruptions, in the context of the Reunification, primarily depend on changes on an individual and social level, and not on a systemic one.

Cette thèse a pour but d’analyser comment se déroule le processus de construction de l’identité professionnelle et comment ce processus a lieu moyeannt la précarité de la reconnaissance au travail de part de ses pairs et par l’hiérarchie. L’identité professionnelle correspond à un processus qui commence lors de la fin des cours de formation; qui continue tout au long de la confrontation avec les relations, l’ambiance et le marché de travail et qui rend possible la construction d’une image personnelle que l’individu veut présenter. Par l’analyse du processus de socialisation du professionnel dans les relations de travail il devient possible non seulement de comprendre le processus de construction de l’identité professionnelle, mais aussi de s’approcher du concept de profession dans l’actualité. En faisant cette analyse, on vérifie, par conséquent, la construction de l’identité au travail, qui se fonde sur trois éléments – la reconnaissance, l’autonomie et la coopération au travail – et qui confère à l’individu la possibilité d’un retour sur soi même capable de lui faire se sentir inclus dans des cercles d’égaux. Afin d’analyser le processus de construction de l’identité professionnelle, on a décidé d’ajouter un quatrième élement, celui de la connaissance professionnelle, lequel, tout comme les autres éléments cités ci-dessous, est l’un des axes d’analyse de cette thèse. Comme source de matériel empirique, on a choisi l’analyse du professionnel physiothérapeute inséré dans une unité de traitement intensif, en vue de l’indéfinition éventuelle de ses attributions et de ses contributions au travail de l’unité de traitement intensif, par rapport au travail du médecin, par exemple. La méthodologie utilisée dans cette thèse s’est fondée sur une approche qualitative, avec des questionnaires demistructurés qui ont été présentés le long de 2009 à 20 physiothérapeutes, 17 médecins et 17 infirmiers qui travaillent dans 14 unités de traitement intensif dans la ville de Porto Alegre, aussi que sur l’observation directe de deux unités de traitement intensif. L’analyse de contenu des donnés collectées permis comprendre le matériel empirique associé au référentiel théorique. Comme résultat de cette étude, on voit le rôle du processus de construction de l’identité au travail comme une étape conditionnante de la construction de l’identité professionnelle. En plus, cette étude démontre l’importance de la connaissance professionnelle, caracterisée par la connaissance scientifique, contextuelle et réflexive, comme condition pour qu’un travailleur puisse construire une identité professionnelle stabilisée. Moyennant l’impossibilité que l’individu ne construise une identité au travail stabilisée à cause de la précarité de la reconnaissance au travail, on s’aperçoit de la difficulté que le professionnel trouve pour gagner de la visibilité et pour construire la connaissance professionnel dans les relations de travail. Ladite difficulté tend à compromettre la construction de l’identité professionnel. / Esta tese tem por objetivo analisar como ocorre o processo de construção da identidade profissional e como este processo acontece mediante a precariedade de reconhecimento no trabalho pelos pares e pela hierarquia. A identidade profissional corresponde a um processo que tem seu início na saída do curso de formação e que continua ao longo da confrontação com as relações, o ambiente e o mercado de trabalho e que proporciona a construção de uma imagem pessoal que o indivíduo quer apresentar. Entende-se que ao analisar o processo de socialização do profissional nas relações de trabalho torna-se possível compreender não apenas o processo de construção da identidade profissional, mas também permite se aproximar do conceito de profissão na atualidade. Ao realizar tal análise, verifica-se, por conseguinte, a construção da identidade no trabalho que tem por base três elementos – o reconhecimento, a autonomia e a cooperação no trabalho – e que confere ao indivíduo a possibilidade de um retorno a si mesmo capaz de sentir-se incluído em círculos iguais. Para analisar o processo de construção da identidade profissional, opta-se por agregar um quarto elemento, o conhecimento profissional, que junto aos elementos citados anteriormente compõem os eixos de análise desta tese. Como material empírico, optou-se por analisar o profissional fisioterapeuta inserido em UTI pela indefinição eventual de suas atribuições e contribuições no trabalho da UTI em comparação ao trabalho médico, por exemplo. A metodologia utilizada neste estudo amparou-se em uma abordagem qualitativa, com a utilização de roteiros de entrevista semi-estruturados que foram aplicados em 20 fisioterapeutas, 17 médicos e 17 enfermeiros atuantes em 14 diferentes UTIs na cidade de Porto Alegre ao longo do ano de 2009, bem como a observação direta de duas UTIs. Foi realizada uma análise de conteúdo dos dados coletados que permitiram a compreensão do material empírico associado ao referencial teórico. Como resultado deste estudo, destaca-se o papel do processo de construção da identidade no trabalho como etapa condicionante à construção da identidade profissional. Ademais, este estudo demonstra a importância do conhecimento profissional caracterizado pelo conhecimento científico, contextual e reflexivo, como condição para que o trabalhador possa construir uma identidade profissional estabilizada. Mediante a impossibilidade do indivíduo construir uma identidade no trabalho estabilizada em decorrência da precariedade de reconhecimento no trabalho, percebe-se a dificuldade do profissional em dar visibilidade e construir o conhecimento profissional nas relações de trabalho. Tal dificuldade tende a comprometer a construção da identidade profissional. / This thesis analyzes how the process of professional identity building takes place and, in particular, how it takes place in the context of precarious recognition by peers and superiors at work. Professional identity is a process that begins at the end of one’s studies, goes on throughout the period one faces labor relations, environment and market, and makes possible the building of a personal image that individuals want to present. By analyzing the professional’s process of socialization in labor relations, we can not only understand the process of professional identity building, but also approach the concept of profession in our days. By carrying out such an analysis, we see the building of identity at work, which is based on three elements – recognition, autonomy and cooperation at work – and which gives individuals a chance to return to themselves to feel included in peer circles. To analyze the process of professional identity building we choose to add a fourth element, professional knowledge, which, together with the other elements aforementioned, is an axe of this thesis. The empirical material source of this thesis was professional physiotherapists working at Intensive Care Units (ICUs), due to their frequently indefinite attributions and contributions to the work, in comparison to physicians’ work, for example. The methodology used in this thesis is based on a qualitative approach, with semi-structured questionnaires which were handed out to 20 physiotherapists, 17 physicians and 17 nurses working at 14 ICUs in Porto Alegre in 2009, as well as on direct observation of two ICUs. The content analysis of the data collected was used to understand the empirical material associated with the theory references. As an outcome of this study, we view the role of the identity at work building process as a stepping stone to professional identity building. Besides, this study highlights how important professional knowledge, characterized by scientific, contextual and reflexive knowledge, is as a condition for workers to build a stable professional identity. By being impossible for individuals to build a stable identity at work due to precarious recognition at work, we realize how difficult it is for them to gain visibility and build professional knowledge at labor relations. Such a difficulty tends to compromise professional identity building.

This thesis provides the first rigorous history of the concept of midlife crisis. It highlights the close connections between understandings of the life course and social change. It reverses accounts of popularization by showing how an idea moved from the public sphere into academia. Above all, it uncovers the feminist origins of the concept and places this in a historically little-studied tradition of writing about middle age that rejected the gendered "double standard of aging." Constructions of middle age and life-planning were not always oppressive, but often used for feminist purposes. The idea of midlife crisis became popular in the United States with journalist Gail Sheehy's Passages (1976), a critique of Erik Erikson's male-centered model of ego development and psychoanalytic constructions of gender and identity more generally. Drawing on mid-century notions of middle life as the time of a woman's entry into the public sphere, Sheehy's midlife crisis defined the onset of middle age, for men and women, as the end of traditional gender roles. As dual-earner families replaced the male breadwinner model, Passages circulated widely, read by women and men of different generations, including social scientists. Three psychoanalytic experts-Daniel Levinson, George Vaillant, and Roger Gould-rebutted Sheehy by putting forward a male-only concept of midlife as the end of a man's family obligations; they banned women from reimagining their lives. Though this became the dominant meaning of midlife crisis, it was not universally accepted. Feminist scholars, most famously the psychologist and ethicist Carol Gilligan, drew on women's experiences to challenge the midlife crisis, turning it into a sign of emotional instability, immaturity, and egotism. Resonating with widespread understandings of mental health and social responsibility, and confirmed by large-scale surveys in the late 1990s, this relegated the midlife crisis to a chauvinist cliché. It has remained a contested concept for negotiating the balances between work and life, production and reproduction into the present day.