Social categories and the differences within: a theoretical call for dynamic analyses

Abstract

In this theoretical paper, I examine the role and potential alterations to uses of social categories in qualitative research. Categories are socially constructed, imbued with power, and include race, class, gender, sexuality, and ability. These categories, although constructs and subject to change, hold durability and are leveraged in much of social science, including qualitative research. To engage with how difference within and across categories can be engaged in multiple ways, I describe a portion of longitudinal ethnographic data to raise up the question of what theories do what kinds of work with contested social categories. This excerpted transcript is not proposed as an exemplar or model. Building on Jackson and Mazzei methodology of reading with theory, I present the interaction as read with three theoretical frameworks: intersectionality intra-action , and Kawagley’s interconnectedness. I argue that this approach to social theories which upends and mingles the order of theory and data, surfaces important questions about what we ask categories to do, what they do to knowledge systems, and how categories themselves should be addressed through a studied use of theories.

Keywords:

• Intersectionality
• interconnectedness
• intra-action
• difference
• migrant youth
• social category
• signifier

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Leigh Patel

Leigh Patel is Professor of Urban Education at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education and a national board member of Education for Liberation.