Ethical Issues In Sudhir Venkatesh's Gang Leader For A Day

Gang Leader for a Day written by Sudhir Venkatesh consisted of Sudhir himself studying, observing and partaking in a study for his dissertation on the South Side of Chicago with underprivileged African Americans who are gang affiliated. The methodological and ethical issues that were found in his book reflect potential strengths and weaknesses of his qualitative research. Venkatesh brought to light the dangers and awareness of being associated with the Black Kings gang, there were situations that were new to him that he had to adjust himself to and be cautious of for the future. Although there were a few ethical issues presented in his book, there was a greater lesson at large taken from his results.

His findings exhibited both strengths and

In Gang Leader for a Day Venkatesh started his relationship with J.T. by purchasing a pack of beers and visiting building 4040 to initiate a mutual ground that he was not part of a gang and he only wanted information for his paper. It was important for Venkatesh to create a boundary that allowed J.T. to trust him, “Being sensitive to the hierarchy or organisational structure: particularly getting clearance from senior people who are 'gatekeepers '” (Lewis, F. pg. 62) is a crucial part of starting a research paper with participants; especially considering the content Venkatesh is using, having a mutual ground with J.T. was beneficial for him and his findings. Lastly, ending the relationship is a significant part of an effective qualitative research design. Sudhir and J.T.’s final words was an awkward and bittersweet feeling for both individuals. They did not end their relationship being friends, nor strangers, but as two people who had history together. Even though it was difficult for J.T. to let Venkatesh leave Chicago and pursue other notions, Venkatesh never forgot J.T. and what he taught him. This illustrates a close and honest relationship he created and established along his research study. Any researcher would criticize the relationship Sudhir Venkatesh and J.T. had and would claim it as unnatural and should have remained businesslike, although that is true, I feel that J.T. felt important and needed for the first time in his life, opposed to being a pawn in an underground economy. Maintaining a work relationship with participants is vital for the researcher’s safety during and after the research has been conducted, researchers should not involve their feelings or themselves to participants to prevent any form of