Sneaky Kid and Its Aftermath: Ethics and Intimacy in Fieldwork

Brad - a schizophrenic school dropout and sneaky kid - first appeared as a squatter near Harry Wolcott’s forest home. He becomes Wolcott’s subject in a long-term life history on how the American educational system can fail students. Wolcott’s trilogy of articles based on their years of interviews were well-received - until he confessed to an intimate relationship with the young man who, two years after leaving his shack, returned and attempted to murder the anthropologist. The Brad Trilogy then became the starting point for heated discussion of research ethics, validity, and the limitations of qualitative research. Here, Wolcott presents the full story of the Sneaky Kid and the academic firestorm it caused. He also reflects on what the project means for the practice of field research. A stage play derived from the study (by Johnny Saldana) is also included.