Volunteer tourism, subjectivity and the psychosocial

摘要: Volunteer tourism is an increasingly popular practice that provides tourists with the opportunity to contribute community development or environmental projects, usually in Third World countries. This research explores potential of volunteer develop cross-cultural understanding, transform into more charitable, ethical subjects and foster reciprocal relations between visited communities. The uses a longitudinal methodology follow ten young people from UK through time space as they embark on journey Kenya commercial provider. Using combination repeated in-depth interviews participant observation, I show how produce understandings, ‘imaginaries’, poverty, authenticity care simultaneously enable constrain their ability act ethically. argue complexities encounter can only be understood psychosocial account subjectivity articulates point suture social psychological. Drawing Lacanian psychoanalytic theory interpret tourists’ narratives, it possible approach psychological studies non-reductive culturally engaged way. reading insight perceptions are refracted cultural fantasies non-Western Other, confronted by demands contradictory ideological injunctions investment consumer identities presents barrier transformation. thesis concludes order harness tourism’s means achieving transformation, greater attention must paid way understanding demands, desire investments experienced tourists.