Occupational therapy, everyday life and the fabric of life: theoretical-conceptual contributions for the construction of critical and emancipatory perspectives

Abstract

Introduction: Everyday life emerges as a critical concept in Occupational Therapy in Brazil in 1988, understood as a socio-historical construction that makes it possible to know the concrete conditions of the existence of subjects and collectives. From 1990, it becomes one of the guiding axes of emancipatory practices. Its use since 2010 has grown significantly in national production, whether as a simple term, notion, concept or category of analysis. Objective: To present theoretical contributions to the use of the everyday life concept in Occupational Therapy from a critical perspective, either within the scope of professional practice or research. Method: This is theoretical research based on the reflective reading of contributions from the Human and Social Sciences, highlighting the contributions of Agnes Heller and Henri Lefebvre. Results: The article initially presents a historical retrospective of the use of the everyday life concept in Occupational Therapy in Brazil and clarifies the distinction of the use of words as terms, notions, concepts, and categories. It presents and discusses the theoretical bases that underlie critical perspectives and problematizes everyday life and the contemporary subject in the context of Occupational Therapy. Next, based on theoretical-critical arguments, it dialogues with contributions from Agnes Heller and Henri Lefebvre, indicating their use of the concept of everyday life as a critical pillar for understanding social reality. Conclusion: Theoretical and conceptual discussions are fundamental for the elaboration of ideas, the affirmation of values, the understanding of contradictions, the resignification and renewal of professional practice and research support.