Symbolic Interactionism in Canada: Shared Meaning and the Perpetuation of Ideas

Abstract

In this paper I critically discuss Helmes‐Hayes and Milne's institutional perspective, as well as Neil McLaughlin's emphasis on scientific intellectual movements and Coserian intellectual sects, in explaining the emergence and potential future of symbolic interactionist theory in Canada. I contest claims that the interactionism is on the verge of disappearing and instead offer an explanation grounded in insights about shared meaning. I conclude that it is ironic that debates over the presumed demise of symbolic interaction may well contribute to its continued existence within the canon of Canadian sociology.

The Hughesian Legacy: William Shaffir—A Principal Interpreter of the Chicago School Diaspora in Canada

“…It also led me to choose the area of deviant behavior for one of my comprehensive exams that furthered my on-going interest in stigma and stigma management, and influenced how I teach social problems (Low 2000;2005;2007;2018).…”

“…(Low and Bowden 2013). This had an ongoing impact on my career because of the strength of both these experiences, Gary Bowden and I were invited to write a chapter on Everett C. Hughes and his influence on Canadian sociology (Low and Bowden 2016) and to other papers on the status and future of symbolic interactionist theory in Canada (Low 2017;2018). Further, in hosting The Qualitatives for the second time this year, we featured a special session in honor of the 50 th anniversary of the publication of Blumer's (1969a) Symbolic Interaction: Perspective and Method in the program.…”

“…This supervisory relationship is therefore central to how key ideas of the Chicago School tradition are interpreted, passed on, and given new life among scholars not directly related to the Chicago School, enhancing our understanding about how ideas in general are transmitted (c.f. Low 2008;2018;Low and Bowden 2013;). Thus, it has been through his teaching, publishing, and supervision that Shaffir, like Hughes, has trained further generations of interpretivist qualitative researchers who carry on the legacy of Chicago School fieldwork, making him a principal interpreter of the Chicago School Diaspora in Canada.…”

An Embattled Yet Enduring Influence: Introduction to a Special Issue on Blumerian Symbolic Interactionism

“…The conceptualization and naming of a perspective, however, does little if it is not picked up and carried forward by others. Thus, it is consequential that those whose approaches to sociological research were strongly influenced by Blumer include sociological luminaries, all of whom, in turn, have passed on interactionist insights to successive generations (Denzin 1990; Glass 1987; La Violette 1972; Low 2017, 2019a, 2020). 5 Among these, Davis (2017:145) lists: “Everett C. Hughes…Howard Becker, Erving Goffman, Tamotsu Shibutani and Anselm Strauss.” To these we add Gary Alan Fine, Robert Prus, Kathy Charmaz, and William Shaffir 6…”

“…There was something friendly and inviting about the image of Blumer on the front cover of the book where he is pictured seated leaning back in his chair, gesturing and smiling. Low took it as an invitation to explore the perspective in a sociology department that, at that time, did not boast any interactionists (Low 2013, 2019a).…”