Dirty Work: A Study of Societal Perceptions and Personal Experiences in the Construction of Social Identity

This study, examining the physical, social, and moral dimensions of dirty work, bases its theoretical foundation on Social Identity Theory, which asserts that individuals' self-perceptions are shaped through group membership, and aims to explain the impact of dirty work on social identity. It investigated how individuals stigmatized by their work make sense of their social identities and how societal perceptions shape identity formation through qualitative in-depth interviews. Findings revealed participants regarded their work as valuable, yet widespread prejudices persisted. This situation compels individuals into a dilemma between occupational identity and stigmatization, complicating their construction of positive social identity.