Not in My Social World: A Cultural Analysis of Media Representations, Contested Spaces, and Sympathy for the Homeless

摘要: The social constructionist approach offers conceptual tools that may augment workers' persuasive powers and problem solving capacities. In this case study, I examine a newspaper campaign to cast the homeless in negative terms justify closing of shelter. Findings are presented as seven themes used by competing claims-makers. Each constructs different depiction homeless, homelessness, preferred solutions. Linkages between community memberships favored definitions identified. conclude with suggestions for how "intelligent reconstruction" might help workers function sympathy brokers vulnerable. (Key words: NIMBY, mass media, approaches problems). ********** Some pairings work well: Chicago School Hull House Settlement, theory practice, basic applied interactionism, word deed, sociologist worker, men women, subjectivity objectivity, George Herbert Mead Jane Addams. early pragmatist philosophers interactionist sociologists recognized both / logic more common one-or-the-other logic. These scholarly practitioners valued their partnerships other civic reformers they made pragmatic use ideas improve conditions (Deegan, 1988; Denzin, 1998; Maines, 1997). Unfortunately, example was rejected influential interactionists like Robert Park (Bulmer, 1984) Erving Goffman (Marx, who each embraced notion scientific sociology. Since then, symbolic have been divided. quite content doing academic research while others try contribute amelioration reconstruction. This tension is evident problems theory. classic text, Spector Kitsuse (1987 1977) commented "social relieve them; humanitarian profit from, therefore, propagate very crusade remove" (p. 51). Commenting on counselors, probation officers, government officials, sociological interventionists, Gusfield (1984, p. 47) advised adherent perspective become "the critic professionals constituencies" undercut "normative thrust" these professions. While updating theory, Ibarra (1993) firm distinction "sociologists' theoretical project" "members' practical 29). Woe privileges any version troublesome condition question. Even Blumer (1971), scholar engaged extensive service, attacked practice-oriented sociology problems. He against builders encouraged gather add knowledge store knowledge" place findings "at disposal policy makers general citizenry" 299). Spector, Kitsuse, Gusfield, Ibarra, argued role leaves "on side" (Gusfield, 1984, 31): silent about value problems; uninterested objective products contests rival claims-makers; withholding expertise from determined advance public good. A few allies differed. They want expand so can avail themselves its concepts, propositions, studies. Summarizing position, Loseke (1999) theorists an ethical obligation develop change agenda, attend faintly voiced claims powerless people, argue can't be value-neutral. …