The Biographical Approach: The construction of labor placements of the elderly, a phenomenon of social analysis

Abstract

Throughout the history of science have emerged different currents of thought such as empiricism, dialectical materialism, positivism, phenomenology, structuralism, as various interpretative frameworks such as ethnography and constructivism, which have resulted in different routes in the pursuit of knowledge. Due to the different assumptions that underpin such currents have been polarized into two main paradigms or approaches to knowledge: the paradigm quantitative and qualitative research. Particularly within the qualitative tradition called biographical approach, which proposes a different view of human activity in that it occurs, should be reflected in the individual who performs; represents an innovative look, criticism of functionalism and structuralism man who had emptied of all capacity for action and unforeseen under the iron cage of the structure, organization or system (Cornejo, 2006). In this sense, this article aims to expose a reflection on the paradigms that characterize the pursuit of scientific knowledge from the biographical method, with the aim of contributing to the arguments on the relevance of qualitative longitudinal research, installing the interest in addressing the career paths of the elderly, as an object of study for social sciences. For that, some conditions must be taken into account when developing such an approach is described, outlining the potential of biographies as a methodological tool and intervention for social work.