Where can I study people for my anthropology paper?

Question

Hi everyone!

I am taking an anthropology class called "cross cultural studies of gender" right now. I need to choose a place (in Los Angeles) to study people in order to write my observations for my final paper. The problem is, the professor told us that we couldn't go to a place/setting that is familiar to us (ex. school, restaurants, family gatherings, park, theme park, gym, movie theater, shopping mall, etc.).

She suggested places like g*y bars, but do you guys have any other suggestions? I need to study how people stereotype gender, how they behave due to social constructs of gender, how people respond to different sexual orientations, etc. I did so much research and found unique museums and festivals, but nothing was quite appropriate for my study.

Please help me out!

Thank you!

Answer 1

A senior center, nursing home or supported living home come to mind.

You'd have a captive audience that would be more then willing to talk. As one of my students discovered "They're feisty!"

The social constructs of these facilities are endlessly fascinating. It's a microcosm of society. Also, seniors tend to speak their minds.

Answer 2

West Hollywood would give you plenty of LGBT bars. Some of them offer drag burlesque shows which can be quite fun and would totally work with your paper. This is assuming you're 21 or over.

Here's some others. Some may be somewhat familiar, but you could make your argument:

Olivera Street.

Union Station.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels.

El Alisal

Exhale - luxury/spiritual retreat in Santa Monica

Skeletons in the Closet - LA County Coroner's Gift Shop

Family Research / Genealogy Libraries

Little Tokyo / Garment District

Answer 3

I've found that laundromats always have a very eclectic group of people and passersby.

Thrift stores offer a cool, strange mix too.

Maybe try to find a charitable gathering like a fun run or something similar.

How about an art gallery?

Hope I could help.  Good luck!

Answer 4

Police dept. interesting group of people, sure they see and respond to many types of people. Best of luck.