Occupational Pattern: A Renewed Definition of the Concept

Abstract

Patterns are regular ways of acting or doing something. The literature provides definitions at three levels; Action patterns at the level of bodily and anatomical function, activity patterns at the level of the ability to perform activities, and occupational patterns at the level of participation in social life. This article draws on insights arising from a time geographical study of Scandinavian bachelor students which presents a broader definition. Regular ways of acting or doing are conceptualised from the perspective of parallel activities, where two or more activities or occupations are performed simultaneously. The proposed reconceptualisation of occupational patterns also acknowledges that human beings relate occupations and occupational patterns to occupational projects, where an assembly of activities and occupations are interconnected and have a unifying goal that is given value by the individual and by the social environment.