In his book *Histoire du rapport au travail en France des années 50 à nos jours*, sociologist Marc Loriol examines how the relationship between workers and professional life in France has changed since the 1950s. Drawing on statistical research and field testimony, the study places recent shifts in working conditions and employees’ experiences in historical context.
Loriol cautions against treating claims about a declining “value of work” or disengaged young employees as new. Across generations, young people—including Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y and Gen Z—have been accused of caring less about work, preferring leisure, resisting authority or shunning collective settings. The article also cites research from the 1950s by pediatrician and psychologist Jean Rousselet, who explored what was then described as an “allergy to work” among adolescents and young adults.
The study highlights the role of work’s collective dimension in giving professional activity shared meaning and helping people develop a sense of belonging. Its historical perspective, Loriol argues, offers a way to assess current debates without relying on recurring stereotypes.
Sources: Le Monde Économie.