Biography Work: Reflections on Reconstructive Social Work

An outline of biography work is presented, as a type of reconstructive social work in the tradition of the Chicago School of Sociology that combines theoretical and methodological aspects of qualitative sociology with Leontiev's theory of subjectivity. In this approach, the subject is defined a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of social work practice 2009-06, Vol.23 (2), p.185-199
Main Author: Roer, C. Dorothee
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biographical actor
Biographies
biography work
doing ethonography (Ethnografisches Fremduerstehen)
Ethnography
Identity
Social Work
social work science
Socialization
Subjectivity
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Summary:An outline of biography work is presented, as a type of reconstructive social work in the tradition of the Chicago School of Sociology that combines theoretical and methodological aspects of qualitative sociology with Leontiev's theory of subjectivity. In this approach, the subject is defined as the (re)constructor not only of his/her own biography and identity, but also of his/her own world, in that s/he actively negotiates the material, social and cultural circumstances of his/her existence throughout his/her entire lifetime. By transforming experiences into narrative, they become reflexive and flexible. In this process, the biographical actors always operate within structures of social inequality. By examining and analysing their everyday life experiences they develop coping strategies according to their particular social situations. These are interpreted as resources. In practice, biography work aims at understanding the clients in social work as experts in their own biography, seeing their self-will as an expression of their socialisation (Gewordensein), respecting it as helpful and relevant in doing biography and, finally, constructing help as a means to achieving self-empowerment. This requires an attitude of respect on the part of the social worker that can be described methodologically as doing ethnography (Ethnographisches Fremdverstehen). Ultimately, this approach results in a (socio-)political commitment of both the profession and the professionals. The article concludes by discussing the prospects for doing biography work in the light of current developments in the professional field.
ISSN:0265-0533
1465-3885
DOI:10.1080/02650530902923783