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On the Unbearable Lightness of Being a Constructionist

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Abstract

This paper deals with the question of the positionality of constructionists. I begin by considering some of the pressures on constructionists to compromise, if not abandon, their neutral stance as disengaged observers of definitional processes. After reaffirming the value of studying definitional processes, without regard for the veracity of claims or even the existence of the putative conditions referenced, I discuss how some ontological and epistemological stances facilitate a focusing of attention on these processes while others are diversionary. I end by making the case for thinking through carefully where we stand, mindful of the consequences as well as our goals as analysts.

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Acknowledgements

This paper is a developed version of comments I shared as part of the panel on Social Constructionism: Its Origins and Future at the 67th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Social Problems in Montreal. I thank the organizers, Michael Adorjan and Amir Marvasti, for bringing the panel together and for inviting me to be a part of the discussion. I thank my fellow panelists – Joel Best, James Holstein, Peter Ibarra, Donileen Loseke, Joseph Schneider, Malcolm Spector for their thoughtful remarks. Finally, I thank members of the Canuck Constructionist Circle and the students in the Social Problems seminars I have taught at McMaster University over the past 30+ years – Mohammed Al-Ani, Michael Adorjan, Tony Christensen, Robyn Cheung Brett Gordon, Sakif Karim, Ben Kelly, Steve Kleinknecht, Jennifer Kroezen, Jacqueline Kutt, Jacqueline Low, Arthur McLuhan, Kyla Simms, Deana Simonetto, Erica Speakman, Kathleen Steeves, Julian Torelli, Ali Vedadhir and so many others. I have appreciated their interest in constructionism and their willingness to debate its fine points honestly and with vigour. I have learned so much from those discussions.

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    Dorothy Pawluch

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Pawluch, D. On the Unbearable Lightness of Being a Constructionist. Am Soc 50, 204–219 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12108-019-9416-6

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