What is it about?
This Presidential Address offers elements for a systematic and cumulative study of destigmatization, or the process by which low-status groups gain recognition and worth. Contemporary sociologists tend to focus on inequality in the distribution of resources, such as occupations, education, and wealth. Complementing this research, this address draws attention to “recognition gaps,” defined as disparities in worth and cultural membership between groups in a society. I first describe how neoliberalism promotes growing recognition gaps. Then, drawing on research on stigmatized groups across several societies, I analyze how experiences of stigma and destigmatization are enabled and constrained by various contextual factors and actors, including institutions, cultural repertoires, knowledge workers, and social movement activists. I conclude by proposing a research agenda for the sociology of recognition and destigmatization, and by sketching how social scientists, policymakers, organizations, and citizens can contribute to the reduction of recognition gaps.
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Why is it important?
Social scientists focus on distribution for reducing inequality. Recognition is equally important
Perspectives
This article is my presidential address to the American Sociological Association delivered in Montreal in August 2017
Ms michele lamont
Harvard University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Addressing Recognition Gaps: Destigmatization and the Reduction of Inequality, American Sociological Review, May 2018, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/0003122418773775.
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Resources
Addressing Recognition Gaps: Destigmatization and the Reduction of Inequality
This Presidential Address offers elements for a systematic and cumulative study of destigmatization, or the process by which low-status groups gain recognition and worth. Contemporary sociologists tend to focus on inequality in the distribution of resources, such as occupations, education, and wealth. Complementing this research, this address draws attention to “recognition gaps,” defined as disparities in worth and cultural membership between groups in a society. I first describe how neoliberalism promotes growing recognition gaps. Then, drawing on research on stigmatized groups across several societies, I analyze how experiences of stigma and destigmatization are enabled and constrained by various contextual factors and actors, including institutions, cultural repertoires, knowledge workers, and social movement activists. I conclude by proposing a research agenda for the sociology of recognition and destigmatization, and by sketching how social scientists, policymakers, organizations, and citizens can contribute to the reduction of recognition gaps.
ASA 2017 Presidential Address
Michèle Lamont, ASA President, delivers the ASA Presidential Address “Addressing the Recognition Gap: Destigmatization and the reduction of inequality” at the 112th Annual Meeting in Montréal.
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