This paper offers a preliminary exploration of Connell's idea of southern theory and its potential application to career development. Four assumptions of metropolitan (northern) social theory are described: (a) the claim of universality, (b) reading from the centre, (c) gestures of exclusion, and (d) grand erasure. These assumptions are challenged by reframing Super's long-standing career stages model, showing parallels between the model and social theories Connell critiques.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ArthurN.McMahonM. (2005). Multicultural career counseling: Theoretical applications of the systems theory framework. The Career Development Quarterly, 53 (3), 208–222.
ConnellR. (2007). Southern theory: The global dynamics of knowledge in social science. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
4.
GiannantonioC.Hurley-HansonA. (2006). Applying image norms across Super's career development stages. Career Development Quarterly, 54 (4), 318–330.
5.
GuichardJ.LenzJ. (2005). Career theory from an internation an perspective. The Career Development Quarterly, 54 (1), 17–28.
6.
GulletteM. (1998). Midlife discourses in the twentieth-century United States: An essay on the sexuality, ideology and politics of ‘middle-ageism’. In ShwederR. (Ed.), Welcome to middle age! (And other cultural fictions) (pp. 3–44). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
7.
KazuyukiM.Kuo-LinW. (2006). Illusion of career development theories. Economic Journal of Takasaki City University of Economics, 49 (2), 17–30.
8.
MenonU. (2001). Middle adulthood in cultural perspective: The imagined and the experienced in three cultures. In LachmanM. (Ed.), Handbook of midlife development (pp. 40–74). New York: Wiley.
9.
PattonW.McMahonM. (1998). Career development and systems theory. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
10.
PryorR. G.BrightJ. (2003). The chaos theory of careers. Australian Journal of Career Development, 12 (3), 12–20.
11.
SavickasM. (1994). Donald Edwin Super: The career of a planful explorer. The Career Development Quarterly, 43 (1), 4–24.
12.
SchlossbergN. K.WatersE.GoodmanK. (1995). Counseling adults in transition: Linking practice with theory. New York: Springer.
13.
SmartR.PetersonC. (1997). Super's career-stages and the decision to change career. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 51 (3), 358–374.
14.
SullivanS. (1999). The changing nature of careers: A review and research agenda. Journal of Management25 (3), 457–484.
15.
SuperD. E. (1953). A theory of vocational development. American Psychologist, 8, 185–190.
16.
SuperD. E. (1957). The psychology of careers. New York: Harper.
17.
SuperD. E. (1984). Career and life development. In BrownD.BrooksL. (Eds.), Career choice and development (pp. 192–2343. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
18.
SuperD. E. (1985). Career counseling across cultures. In PedersenP. (Ed.), Handbook of cross-cultural counseling and therapy (pp. 11–20). West Post, CT: Greenwood.
19.
SuperD. E. (1990). A life-span, life-space approach to career development (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
20.
WalkerK. (2004). Practitioner beware! A critical reflection on the theoretical assumptions that inform practice. Australian Journal of Career Development, 13 (2), 40–43.
