Posted by TJResearcher on March 25, 2001 at 20:10:43:
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I just wanted to make two more brief comments regarding stakeholders and accountability. In field research, one of the first tasks is to identify relevant stakeholders, to communicate with them regarding the possible significance of the research, and to attempt to collaborate on possible issues of concern about the impact of the project. Because anthropologists work with such a diversity of social groups, there really aren't any rules about how this is to be done. What I'm doing, is letting people know about the project, especially people who spend time in the areas I'm studying, so that they can tell ME what THEIR concerns are. One concern that I seem to hear repeated in this forum is fear that publicity will threaten the existence of the sex industry in Tijuana. I think this is something to talk about. I'm certainly thinking about it. If, as some have said, my research proves of no use to anyone whatsoever, the data I collect will generate no publicity and prove no threat. If, as I hope, my research has a positive impact on the working conditions and health and well-being of the women working in the sex industry. This is what my primary goal is. For example, if condoms are too expensive or if the ones provided at the hotels suck, well, maybe it is the bar or hotel owners responsibility to improve the quality of the ones they sell/give, maybe condoms should be subsidized by a government that tolerates prostitution, maybe people would be willing to donate time/money to non-profit groups to help them stock bars with free condoms... Alternately, if condoms are not really a problem, but young women "just off the bus" so to speak don't know enough about STD's to protect themselves, maybe there should be some sort of training in place (there already is by the way), maybe it could be improved... Does the fact that registration as a sex worker prohibits immigration to the U.S. make women more likely to work illegally, and therefore discourage legal work in bars, regular health checks, and encourage riskier practices? The list goes on... This project is about recommending sound decisions to local policy makers. It is about providing a point for comparison for all the really screwed up stuff that goes on with the sex industry in the U.S. (primarily the effect of criminalization, the lack of substance abuse programs, etc.) It is about presenting though provoking papers to national conferences (I attend 2-3 annually) where health workers and government officials (National Institute of Health, CDC, etc.) come to listen to what's new in the field and get ideas about what to do next. I would think (hope?) that would be a benefit to customers (consumers)... It might make them feel better about the products/services they are buying. It could be seen as a quality control issue. It could be likened to human/environmental/labor struggles, which benefit some and affect the bottom line for others. These are the kinds of issues you all would have to help me with. There isn't a lot of research on customer's needs/hopes/etc. There is some on the impact of criminalization in the U.S., but mostly on the providers themselves. If you truly value what you do, then I really can't see a reason why you would'nt want your own stance to be represented in my work.
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