Othering

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Othering is a concept used to define someone's own 'normal' [[identity]] by distancing oneself from the other. This other is here classified as different. This otherness is possible in two different ways. The first is when people try to form relationships, the other party is also classified as an other. In this case this process is not to stigmatize or condem. The more negative case where othering is being used is to understand a society where certain groups are exluded, other who do not fit into their society. Therefore it's not only about defining oneself, but also the phenomena and units someone knows. In the case of a national identity, the result of othering can be simply segregation.  
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Othering is a concept used to define someone's own 'normal' [[identity]] by distancing oneself from the Other. With Other one means someone else and is therefore classified as different. Othering is being used to understand a society where certain groups are exluded, other who do not fit into their society. Therefore it's not only about defining oneself, but also the phenomena and units someone knows. In the case of a national identity, the result of othering can be simply segregation.  
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In other words Othering is defining the position of oneself, by stating what it ain't. The Other is defined in a negative way. Examples of processes of Othering that become very clear in the nowadays society are based on race, gender, social class, ethnicity, etc.
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'''References:'''
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- Lefebvre, H. (1974). ''The Production of Space''. Oxford: Basil Blackwell Ltd.
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The father of othering is [[Edward Said]], who claims that othering is a concept most common in the Western world.
 
''By Evelien de Beer & Richard Huttinga''
''By Evelien de Beer & Richard Huttinga''

Revision as of 14:15, 19 October 2010

Othering is a concept used to define someone's own 'normal' identity by distancing oneself from the Other. With Other one means someone else and is therefore classified as different. Othering is being used to understand a society where certain groups are exluded, other who do not fit into their society. Therefore it's not only about defining oneself, but also the phenomena and units someone knows. In the case of a national identity, the result of othering can be simply segregation.

In other words Othering is defining the position of oneself, by stating what it ain't. The Other is defined in a negative way. Examples of processes of Othering that become very clear in the nowadays society are based on race, gender, social class, ethnicity, etc.


References:

- Lefebvre, H. (1974). The Production of Space. Oxford: Basil Blackwell Ltd.



By Evelien de Beer & Richard Huttinga

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