Gaining Access

An aspect of the field study experience that may be overlooked is the issue of "gaining access" to a community. We may assume that a new community will accept of on principle, because we're new and/or exciting. But there are many field study experiences that say differently. For example, we listened to a podcast from Stephanie Sinclair, a woman who was interviewed after visiting an FLDS polygamist sect. Initially, I think most of us are repulsed by the idea of polygamy, which is exactly why it is so important to understand these people. This photographer for National Geographic was able to enter one of these communities and find out about their lifestyle. But the access did not come easily. She said that she worked for at least four months to gain their confidence and at least a low level of trust. Only then could she interview members of society in a way that would yield sufficient information for understanding.

What I learned most from this discussion was that we cannot hope to have control or power over another group. Although polygamy is a tender issue for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, they are still children of our Heavenly Father. We can only hope to understand the polygamists for the choices they have already made. Having pity or anger or annoyance for them will do nothing. We at BYU should understand this idea of tolerance very well--the history of our persecution has been rampant and constant. We cannot turn and persecute others so quickly.

In the article we read by Neuman, we learn that field researchers can participate and observe at different levels, the ultimate of which is "going native." This means that the researcher is completely integrated into the new society. They think and feel the way that natives do. This can greatly assist the goal of the study, but is a status that is very difficult to attain. How we present ourselves is an equally important aspect of a field study. It says an immense amount about the people we are, the people we want to be. In Tonga, I think that there will already be certain expectations for us that we will have to live up to. We have to remember that the Tongan people may perceive us in a way that we are not accustomed to. If this is the case, then it is important to adapt to their perceptions and ideals. We are not in Tonga to change what people do or think, merely to observe.