Others, Situations, and Emotions in Inequality of Everyday Life

• In Event: 426 - Regular Session. Microsociologies

Abstract

This paper examines strength of micro-perspective approach in understanding inequality in everyday life. The attempt aims to suggest an alternative approach to better understand dynamics of inequality in contemporary world. For better elaboration of the point, social situation of Korean society is used in this paper. Compared to conventional macro-perspective structural approach, studying inequality with micro-perspective has advantages in capturing delicate aspects of inequality which people experience in everyday life and in analyzing its dynamics in rapid changing society. In this paper, I argued that inequality as a category is socially constructed and gains its meaning only when it becomes intelligible through intersubjective interpreting process. I also argued that experience of inequality is a cumulative sequence of practice in everyday life, rather than static property inherent in social structure. Thus analysis of inequality should consider moment of interactions when people ‘practice’ inequality. In analyzing inequality with interactionist viewpoint, three elements are important: others, situation, and emotion. Notions of everyday life world and typification in phenomenological sociology are useful to understand dynamics of inequality and its aftereffect.

Author

• Garam Lee, Yonsei University