Critical discourse analysis on the reduction of working time in Galician newspapers: broadening perspectives from decolonial feminism

Abstract

Introduction: A care crisis is taking place, reinforced by various aspects, including neoliberal policies. The reduction in working hours is a right to promote conciliation. However, this phenomenon has not yet been explored from Social Occupational Therapy. Objective: To delve into the phenomenon of the reduction of working hours in women, through the analysis of the media from a decolonial feminist perspective and Social Occupational Therapy. Method: Critical Discourse Analysis was used from a decolonial feminist perspective, as a methodological approach to analyze the discourses, language and meanings told in the media. The Factiva database has been used to locate the news. The search was carried out on May 2, 2020 jointly by the authors. 50 newspaper news have been included. Results: This work makes visible situations of institutional violence, denial of women's rights, deprivation of liberty, injustices, and inequalities. Reflections from Social Occupational Therapy and decolonial feminism are interwoven. Conclusions: Social Occupational Therapy calls for a constant questioning of spaces (local and situated, in this case, Galicia) and practice actions, which implies questioning the oppressive structures of domination (State’s articulation of the law of reduction of working hours and the social discourses constructed). The reduction in working hours is one more example of how our daily activities are mediated by patriarchal and colonial power relations.