Carolyn Ellis describes autoethnography as writing about the personal and its connection to culture. It’s an autobiographical genre of writing and research that reveals multiple layers of awareness. She highlights how autoethnographers move back and forth in their gaze: initially, they use an ethnographic wide-angle lens to focus on social and cultural aspects of their personal experience; then, they turn inward, revealing a vulnerable standpoint, self-influenced by and possibly influencing cultural interpretations. As they shift their focus inward and outward, the distinction between the personal and cultural often becomes blurred, sometimes to the point of being indistinguishable (Ellis, 2004). While discussing ethical dilemmas, the uncertainty between inward and outward perspectives becomes more apparent as I strive to balance my roles as an insider and outsider in the research field. As such, through reading, rereading, and reflecting on the events I observed, I position my method within the realm of autoethnographic tools and methods. This approach allows me to explore my personal viewpoints on the shared experiences of children, parents, and the larger context of Global Haven.
Adams et al. (2022) argue that autoethnography becomes increasingly essential as we advocate for social justice. With this insight, while ethical dilemmas in research unfold, utilizing autoethnographic tools such as reflexivity and analyzing cases from various perspectives feels necessary. This highlights what Adams et al. address: rejecting the notion of an objective, detached viewpoint and acknowledging that personal experiences and perspectives are always present in social life and research. This method allows researchers to merge the personal with the political, emphasizing that our language, creations, and values are all influenced by our unique perspectives and experiences. Autoethnography thus helps us confront contemporary challenges and create compelling and insightful accounts of personal and cultural experiences. Unlike objective and detached writing, autoethnographers strive to make their work engaging and evocative. Using techniques from real-life writing, such as character development and narrative voice, and from ethnography, such as “thick descriptions” of cultural life, they craft vibrant, well-written stories that provide rich, detailed representations of their subjects, aiming to work towards a better future (Adams et al., 2022).
Dashti Khavidaki, A. (2024). Reflexively Engaging in Studying Childhood Ethics and Agency: Implications for Conducting Participatory Research.