ABSTRACT
Personal experiences and lives are shaped and co-constructed in relation to the multiple historical and social contexts in which individuals participate (Richardson 2012). Emphasising the relationship between self and work or other interrelated social contexts (e.g. family) allows for a more holistic understanding of how people experience their careers, that is, of their ‘hopes and dreams, goals and projects, and associated life trajectories' (Richardson 2009: 78). Thus, to understand the career pathways of Portuguese women aged 45–65, we must not only listen to their stories but also consider the country's recent history and highlight the crucial general background in which these women's lives, especially their work and learning-related experiences, took place. A particular emphasis will be given to gender and to the Portuguese labour market of the last 40 years.
