Phenomenologists emphasize the importance of individuals' everyday experiences and knowledge in determining what they know as the reality, a reality which may be at odds with some officially defined reality. How would a phenomenological analysis explain social and institutional change (e.g., changes in the legal definition of marriage to incorporate divorce, and more currently, same-sex marriage)? Where would phenomenologists look for the first stirrings of change? [Answer: Divorce: The everyday lives/experiences of married people whose experiences of marriage are at odds with the cultural image of marriage as everlasting bliss; Same-sex marriage: The everyday lives/experiences of cohabiting same-sex partners, whose realities are experienced by them as relatively similar to their heterosexual married neighbors.] How do everyday experiences lead to mobilization for change? [Answer: Via symbolic universes - sharing with others experiences that affirm the validity of particular experiences.]

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The Answer is Phenomenologists would explain social and institutional change, such as changes in the legal definition of marriage, by emphasizing the importance of individuals' everyday experiences and knowledge in determining their reality. In the case of divorce, a phenomenological analysis would focus on the everyday lives and experiences of married individuals whose experiences of marriage are at odds with the cultural image of marriage as everlasting bliss. These individuals may feel the need for change in the legal definition of marriage to incorporate divorce, as their reality does not align with the officially defined reality of marriage.

Similarly, in the case of same-sex marriage, phenomenologists would look at the everyday lives and experiences of cohabiting same-sex partners, whose realities are experienced by them as relatively similar to their heterosexual married neighbors. These individuals may also feel the need for change in the legal definition of marriage to incorporate same-sex marriage, as their everyday experiences lead them to question the officially defined reality of marriage.

Phenomenologists would look for the first stirrings of change in the everyday experiences of individuals who feel that their realities are not reflected in the officially defined reality. These individuals may begin to question and challenge the existing social and institutional norms, leading to the mobilization for change.

Everyday experiences lead to mobilization for change through the sharing of symbolic universes with others. Individuals who have similar experiences and realities come together to affirm the validity of their experiences and to advocate for change. This mobilization is driven by the need to align the officially defined reality with the everyday experiences of individuals, ultimately leading to social and institutional change.

Phenomenologists Emphasize the Importance of Individuals' Everyday Experiences and Knowledge