COLLECTIVE OCCUPATION CONSTRUCTING EVERYDAY LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Background:Collective occupation is increasingly recognised as an important part of daily life in our communities, linked to the essential inter-relatedness of people (Ramagundo & Kronenberg, 2015). This coming together of... [ view full abstract ]

Background:Collective occupation is increasingly recognised as an important part of daily life in our communities, linked to the essential inter-relatedness of people (Ramagundo & Kronenberg, 2015). This coming together of people in occupation is seen to enable a power that structures the social world (Angell, 2014).
Method:This presentation is based on the findings of an ethnographic study exploring occupation in a Greek town. Primary data included observations, participation and interviews, recorded over 30 months. Ethical approval was obtained.
Results:Three distinct, but intertwining forms of collective occupation were identified: daily encounters in public space; organisation and associations; celebratory and commemorative occupation. These offered experiences different to the occupation of the individual doing alone and (re)constructed community life.
Conclusion:Collective occupation powerfully enables experiences of belonging and recognition, opportunities to develop and use skills. However, it also works to marginalise and exclude both individuals and particular populations through the enactment of social norms and the shaping of occupation.
Application to Practice:Occupational therapists working with both individuals and communities may use the power of collective occupation to enable growth, development and the transformation of community life, including the inclusion of populations and individuals traditionally excluded.

References:
Angell, A.M. (2014) Occupation-centered analysis of social difference: Contributions to a socially responsive occupational science, Journal of Occupational Science, 21(2) pp.104-116.
Ramugondo, E., & Kronenberg, F. (2015) Explaining collective occupations from a human relations perspective: Bridging the individual-collective dichotomy, Journal of Occupational Science, 22(1) pp.3-16.