From River God to Research Grunt: Identity, Emotions, and the River Guide

Abstract

Leisure identities and occupational identities are often assumed to be opposites. Drawing on two ethnographic studies, evidence is provided to illustrate how organizational contexts (or lack thereof) both interrupt and influence the social construction of identities. River running is but one activity that provides participants with opportunities to achieve a desired identity using situated emotion cues. In this study river guides are examined to highlight the negotiations they must employ as they attempt to establish a “river” identity in contexts that distinguish their work and leisure roles.