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Ethnographic Field Work in a Sexualized Research Setting

Explore the dynamics of ethnographic fieldwork in sexualized research settings, examining gendered experiences and strategies for managing sexuality. Delve into the unique challenges faced by women and men researchers, discussing respondent demographics, interactions within polyamorous and kink communities, women's and men's sexuality, and relationship dynamics. Discover verbal and non-verbal strategies for navigating intimacy in the field, including handling biases, improving validity, and maintaining ethical standards.

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Ethnographic Field Work in a Sexualized Research Setting

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  1. Ethnographic Field Work in a Sexualized Research Setting Elisabeth Sheff Georgia State University Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting 2010

  2. The Settings Polyamorous Communities in the Western United States • Respondent demographics • Organized interactions: community meetings and support groups • Free-form interactions: parties and camp outs

  3. Kink Communities in the Southeastern United States • Respondent demographics • Organized interactions: “munches,” play parties, and focus groups • Free-form interactions: “munches” and play parties

  4. Women’s Sexuality • Women more sexualized than men in general • Female researchers have a long tradition of dealing with sexuality in the field • Ethnographers and other field workers across disciplines • Sociologists: Warren and Rassmusen 1977; Carolyn Ellis pioneer in authoethnoraphy • Feminist researchers examine power, link with sexuality (Acker, Bordo, Fine, Harding) • Extensive discussion of fieldwork in strip clubs and other forms of sex work (Bright, Califia, Christina, Frank, Queen)

  5. Men’s Sexuality • Heterosexual men emblematize hegemonic sexuality and remain invisible in its privilege • Exception is the rare researcher who admits to using it as a tool • Gay men closeted in the past and join the autoethnographic movement • Remain marked as other

  6. Strategies for managing sexuality in the field • Verbal • Acrobatics with words: how to avoid having to say no directly • When to use big words • Constructing the absent partner

  7. Non-verbal strategies • What to wear? • Physical positioning • Looking attached • “No Pest strip” • Wedding ring • Co-conspirator

  8. Relationships With Respondents • Stated strategies assume desire to avoid contact • Potential impacts on research methods and findings • “Bias” the findings? • “Improve” validity? • Living in the “real world” - Online dating and protecting identities • Research ethics • “Going native” versus autoethnography • IRB issues

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