Re-theorising the funds of identity concept from the perspective of subjectivity

Abstract

This paper is a theoretical response to recent developments in the funds of identity literature which has seen the introduction of two interconnected concepts, ‘dark funds of identity’ and ‘existential funds of identity’. While these recent concepts may expand the canvas from which researchers draw in developing interventionist approaches for minoritised students, they nevertheless polarise positive and negative emotions and experiences which is problematic on a conceptual level. This paper addresses this issue by first presenting how funds of identity and existential funds of identity have been theorised, arguing that there remains a tension between the distributed theory of the original conceptualisation of funds of identity and the phenomenological and subjective dimension that underpins existential funds of identity. In order to resolve this tension, I situate the funds of identity concept within a cultural historical tradition, drawing upon González Rey’s work on subject sense and subjectivity in order to propose an alternative conceptualisation of funds of identity that allows researchers to transcend the dichotomy of positive and negative emotions.

A Synthesis of Funds of Identity Research: Purposes, Tools, Pedagogical Approaches, and Outcomes

“…Finally, most studies reported on participants describing positive aspects of their lives, such as people whom they value. However, proposals are made to also focus on FoI that are linked to negative experiences (Poole, 2020; Poole & Huang, 2018). These types of FoI create challenges for teachers, who may feel that they lack the resources or training to support students in life struggles that are revealed, echoing a difficulty experienced by Australian teachers when they learnt about students’ dark FoK (Zipin, 2009).…”

“…Based on this, FoI are not completely internal but are embedded in the social fabric of life. Some researchers have noted (Hviid & Villadsen, 2014; Poole, 2020) that Esteban-Guitart’s (2014) distinction between five categories of FoI (geographical, practical, cultural, social, and institutional) may reify FoI and imply “a symbolic essence of things which the individual, through his/hers (sic) development, will come to discover” (Hviid & Villadsen, 2014, p. 64). We understand this categorization as a proposal of sensitizing concepts, offering a language that may help discuss possible FoI.…”

“…The notions of “dark funds of identity” (Charteris et al, 2018), building on Zipin’s dark FoK (2009) and “existential funds of identity” (Poole, 2017b, 2020; Poole & Huang, 2018) draw attention to difficult experiences and associated negative emotions that students may have and use in order to define themselves. In an attempt to overcome the polarization of positive and negative emotions and experiences, and to emphasize individuals’ agency in producing their own identity, Poole (2020) and Subero (2020) drew on González Rey’s (2016, 2018) theory of subjectivity. This endeavor raises more fundamental questions concerning whether researchers should focus on individuals’ experiences (as something ‘out there’) or rather on how individuals make sense of their experiences, which is never static but constantly changing.…”

“…Additional categories of FoI have already been proposed. The notions of "dark funds of identity" (Charteris et al, 2018), building on Zipin's dark FoK (2009) and "existential funds of identity" (Poole, 2017b(Poole, , 2020Poole & Huang, 2018) draw attention to difficult experiences and associated negative emotions that students may have and use in order to define themselves. In an attempt to overcome the polarization of positive and negative emotions and experiences, and to emphasize individuals' agency in producing their own identity, Poole (2020) and Subero (2020) drew on González Rey's (2016 theory of subjectivity.…”

“…A related challenge for researchers is how to deal with experiences that are difficult to capture in language. Poole (2020) argued that many methods used by FoI researchers for data collection are positivist in nature; he made a plea for developing new methodologies that better fit the theorization of identity in terms of subjective experience.…”