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Abstract
Does sociology have anything to gain by returning to the concept of social role? Has this concept been irretrievably damaged by its significance in functionalist theory? This paper aims to recover the role concept through a consideration of alternative perspectives on normativity, illustrated through research on motherhood. A pragmatist re-conception of role is defended as a way of focusing on those aspects of social structures which exert normative authority over agents, while remaining open to some degree of interpretation. This perspective treats roles not as fixed mechanisms of functional coordination or social reproduction, but instead as variable sites mutual accountability. The paper argues that a pragmatist version of the role concept supports explanation of non-determined agency and complex, uncertain, and conflictual forms of normative authority. Treated in these terms, the role concept offers a valuable route to understanding the creative quality of agency and normativity.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1211 –1227 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | SOCIOLOGY-THE JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 06 May 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 01 Dec 2021 |
Keywords
- social role
- pragmatism
- agency
- normativity
- emotion
- reflexivity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Sociology and Political Science
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PhD Internal Examiner
Lisa Smyth (Examiner)
06 Dec 2022Activity: Examination types › Other examination
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Panel Discussion of 'The Kids are All Right', in QFT Series 'Real to Reel: Film and Social Life'
Lisa Smyth (Chair), Jonathan G Heaney (Organiser), Catherine McNamee (Contributor) & Danielle Mackle (Contributor)
16 Jan 2019Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar