Ethical reflections on ethnography: challenges and commitments with street workers in Chile

In this article, I propose a reflection on some ethical considerations in ethnographic fieldwork with vulnerable populations, particularly from the case of street workers in Chile. Beyond the "traditional" ethical concerns, I problematize the challenges that arise in fieldwork and the crit...

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Autor principal: Ulloa-Martínez, Jorge Bernabé
Formato: Artículo revista
Lenguaje:Español
Publicado: Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades 2024
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Acceso en línea:https://revistas.unc.edu.ar/index.php/etcetera/article/view/45802
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Sumario:In this article, I propose a reflection on some ethical considerations in ethnographic fieldwork with vulnerable populations, particularly from the case of street workers in Chile. Beyond the "traditional" ethical concerns, I problematize the challenges that arise in fieldwork and the critical reflexivity of the ethnographer. To do so, I explore three crucial elements: positioning, engagement versus exploitation, and representation. First, I discuss the impact of researcher positioning on power dynamics and the interpretation of constructed data. Next, I examine the delicate balance between engagement with the community under study and the risk of exploitation towards it, highlighting the importance of reciprocity and shared responsibility. Finally, I analyze the importance of representing the voices of street workers in academic and public discourse, emphasizing the need to avoid stereotypes and promote a negotiated and liberating narrative. This paper contributes to enrich the debate on ethics in anthropological research, pointing out the importance of considering specific contexts and power relations in fieldwork with vulnerable populations.