• Human Ecology Research
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.573-586
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to review the conceptual framework of social constructionism and critical social constructionism in the research area of multi-cultural family homes, using a literature review. Fopp argued that social constructionism had an objectivation problem that only considered the actor side as a policy object; therefore he suggested a weaker social constructionist perspective with moderate relativism and the application of feminist epistemology to marginal life for maximizing objectivity. This article explores a conceptual framework for studying the reality of housing of multi-cultural families in Korea in the light of constructionist ideas and presents a review of empirical positivist data to support the framework. Based on results, using the social constructionist framework, five contexts (structural, institutional, organizational, operational, and intersubjective) were reviewed and ideas were suggested to develop an appropriate future situation for multi-cultural family homes. For a weaker social constructionist framework, three National Survey of Multi-Cultural Family Homes data sets were reviewed to determine the real condition of multi-cultural family homes. Further, from a feminist perspective, the empirical data of marginalized multi-cultural family homes were reviewed from the perspectives of gender inequality of decision making, cultural adaptation, and differentiation in housing related areas. In conclusion, two perspectives were useful for understanding multi-cultural family housing in Korea but must be compensated with substantial empirical data for a holistic approach.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.37-48
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• 2002

Mid of 1980s witnessed the beginning of a new trend regarding the elderly as the Third Age Group, which is capable of positive selection for their later life. These changes are caused not only by the rising cost of caring them as the dependent to the society, but also by paradigm shift from the clinical and biomedical model to political economy and critical gerontology. The paradigm shift is based on the social constructionism as a perspective on the later life. In this communication the development of social constructionism is reviewed as an approach on the living environment for later life through literature survey. Emphases were made on the anti-ageism instead of ageism in the analysis of the social constructionism perspective for living environment in later life. Individual practice, influencing the practice of others, influencing agency policy, and developing theory were addressed and emphasized for the practice of anti-ageism. This study found the importance of the development of the social constructionism perspective on the study and practice regarding living environment for ‘the Third Age’ in Korean situation.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.465-497
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• 2013

This paper criticizes the ontological and epistemological dichotomy in social sciences including social welfare and probes into Critical Realism as an alternative paradigm. Many theories for social welfare have adhered to dichotomous ontological standpoint, 'agency' vs. 'social structure', and Eco-system approach have occupied dominant position to integrate this dichotomy. These theoretical standpoint have had great influence on social work practice. On the other hand, dichotomous epistemological standpoint which is constituted of different views of phenomena, 'positivism' and 'constructionism', have had great influence on social work research and practice. These dichotomous ontological and epistemological approach have a limit to reveal qualitative nature of the relationship between agency and social structure, to ponder the deeper reality, the mechanism of stratified reality, and the reality being independent of agency. Replacing these approaches, Critical Realism unfold the theoretical potential as an alternative paradigm for social welfare through the discussion on stratified realty(the empirical, the actual, and the real), intransitive/transitive dimension, double hermeneutics in these dimensions, and the conditions for conceptualization, duality of structure and practice, transformation model of agency and structure.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.42-51
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• 2014

The research aims to analyze the structural meaning of mobility design on 'Furnitecture' with the works of Andrea Zittel. The study consists of the literature review and the analysis of Zittel's works. The framework for the analysis is divided into four steps: identification of visual forms/structure/function, analysis of the principles of delivering the concept of mobility, interpretation & synthesis of the relational meanings derived from the concepts of mobility, and evaluation of Zittel's tendency toward design/social background/design history, etc. Total fifteen cases are selected from Zittel's works, and each case is analyzed following the above steps. The finding shows that Zittel likes to play with geometrical forms, grid & modular system to create a minimum space for living equipped with critical furnishing. Secondly, Zittel's works deliver the concept of mobility by applying movability, adaptation, combination and transformation. Thirdly, through the concepts of mobility, Zittel reflects the ideas of high efficiency and functionalism, harmony with natural environment, search for liberty, simple & humble life and success of the designers of American modernism. Finally, it is found that modernism from the era of Bauhaus, utopian values derived from constructionism, utilitarianism inspired by Shakers and homestead act & mobile home/capsule unit suggested since 19th century in America mainly affect Zittel's works to reflect the dynamic concepts of mobility through the design of furnitecture.