ABSTRACT
Further reading 83
References 83
1 Introduction
The key aim of this chapter is to consolidate further your understanding of social constructionism as a method for examining how different groups of people and types of behaviour come to be viewed as social problems or social issues about which something needs to be done. The chapter examines both the construction of different categories of individuals and the organized interventions directed towards them, using the example of disability to illustrate the method of social constructionism. Thus we examine how disability is, was and will be the subject of different and conflicting constructions regarding its ‘nature’ and ‘meaning’. However, it is vital to remember that such constructions and categorizations are not the exclusive preserve of those people, acts or behaviour that are identified as ‘deviant’ or ‘social problems’. All social phenomena are subject to such constructing and deconstructing processes over time.
