Re-Reading Erving Goffman as an Emancipatory Researcher

Abstract

<p>Erving Goffman&rsquo;s work is often employed within Disability Studies.&nbsp; However, in Canada and the UK, most authors only discuss his <em>Stigma</em> (1963) or <em>Asylums</em> (1961), and his work is often dismissed as: a) individualistic; b) lacking a notion of social structure; and c) politically benign.&nbsp; In this paper, I argue that a re-reading of Erving Goffman is in order.&nbsp; In particular I examine his &ldquo;Mental Symptoms and Public Order&rdquo; (1967) and &ldquo;The Insanity of Place&rdquo; (1971).&nbsp; I argue that Goffman&rsquo;s dismissal is unfair: each of the three criticisms above are out of order.&nbsp; I conclude with a discussion of what a fair-to-Goffman disability studies might look like.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Keywords:&nbsp;Erving Goffman, Emancipatory Research, Social Model of Disability</p>