Description
Book SynopsisHow do people think about their identities? How do they express themselves individually and as part of collective groups, social movements, organizations, neighborhoods, or nations?
Identity has important consequences for how we organize our lives, wield social power, and produce and reproduce privilege and marginality. In this lively and engaging book, Wayne H. Brekhus explores the sociology of identity and its social consequences through three conceptual themes: authenticity, multidimensionality, and mobility. Drawing on vivid examples from ethnography, current events, and everyday life, he offers an approach to identity that goes beyond the individual and demonstrates how social groups privilege, flag, and shape identities.
Offering an insightful overview of the sociological approaches to understanding social identity in a multicultural, globalized world,
The Sociology of Identity will be a welcome resource for students and scholars of identity, and anyone interested in the social and cultural character of the self.
Trade Review"The combination of different sociological theories of identity, and the singling out of three specific dimensions for further analysis[, ...] provides a broader perspective than what has often been the case in previous theorizing of identity. [...] Brekhus has much to teach us about the dynamics and relevance of identity for present-day political change and struggle."
—Sociology
"Identity has long been one of the central concepts in the social sciences. In this readable, theoretically-rich, and empirically-sound work, Wayne Brekhus has provided a persuasive account of how identities are linked to authenticity, multidimensionality, and mobility. For anyone interested in selves and societies, this impressive book provides an account that reveals and inspires."
—Gary Alan Fine, Northwestern University
"With lucidity and richness, Brekhus casts identity in a refreshing new light. The unique combination of cognitive sociology and symbolic interactionism reveals the paradoxical process of constructing, performing and navigating selfhood while pursuing authenticity. This wonderful book is highly recommended."
—Susie Scott, University of Sussex
"Brekhus demonstrates an in-depth understanding of identity as he moves readers through various aspects of symbolic interactionism's expansive ethnographic literature. The writing is concise, using clearly defined terms without an overwhelming amount of jargon, making it ideal for students and researchers."
—Symbolic Interaction
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction
1 Sociological Approaches to Identity
2 Beyond the Individual: Collective Identities
3 Performing Authenticity: Negotiating the Symbolic Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion
4 Multidimensionality, Intersectionality, and Power: Identity and Social Inequalities
5 Mobility and Fluidity: The Omni-Contextual Nature of Identity
Conclusion
References
Index
