THE INVISIBILITY OF SUPPORT STAFF: RECOGNITION, DIGNITY, AND SOCIAL ROLE

Abstract

This article analyzes the social and professional invisibility of support staff in public and private institutions, including schools, hospitals, and administrative bodies. Despite performing essential functions, these workers face undervaluation, low visibility, and limited opportunities, reflecting educational, social, and cultural inequalities. The research adopts a qualitative and bibliographic approach, engaging authors such as Pierre Bourdieu, Richard Sennett, Michel Foucault, Paulo Freire, Erik Erikson, and Elliot Aronson, who provide the foundation for discussions on cultural capital, identity, dignity, and social recognition. It concludes that invisibility impacts self-esteem, identity, and social participation, requiring institutional appreciation, continuous training, and cultural change, with a particular emphasis on the educational role of schools.