institution-mediated mind/activity
BPenuel who-is-at aol.com
Thu, 21 Sep 1995 08:10:06 -0400
I agree with Chuck's suggestion that we examine
institutional contexts that support healthy
interactions among people (however defined)
where people have some degree of voice in
decision-making. In that connection, Heath
& McLaughlin's (1993) _Identity and inner-city
youth_ explores how youth organizations provide
hope, expectations, opps. for involvement to
young people that schools have sometimes
given up on. Here is a great case of where
supportive adults and structured opportunities
afforded by an institution provide different,
but meaningful cultural tools for identity
formation.
A second issue here regarding institutional-
mediation is important to consider. Namely,
our tendency to view involvements in
institutions through a "social contract" lens.
Not all institutions are voluntarily chosen,
and by participation, we don't necessarily
give choice and agency to the institution.
I think this is a complex issue, and if some-
one else wants to take a stab at issues of
choice/agency in institutions, I think it
would contribute to Chuck's articulated goal.
Bill Penuel
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