SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM AND THE STUDY OF SEXUALITY

In this article I examine the symbolic interactionist approach to the study of sexuality. The philosophical roots of symbolic interactionism are examined beginning with a review of the themes emphasized by the social philosophy of the Scottish Enlightenment as well as American pr agmatism. The situational, structural, and biographical-historical app roaches to contemporary symbolic interactionism are compared in terms of methodological of orientations, assumptions, and concepts. Key symb olic interactionist concepts, including the definition of the situatio n, scripting, identities, self, self-concept, and socialization, are e xamined within the context of sex research. I conclude with a critique and an evaluation of the use of symbolic interactionism in the study of sexuality.