Dirty Work profiles a number of occupations that society deems tainted. The volume's vivid, ethnographic reports focus on the communication that helps workers manage the moral, social, and physical "stains" that derive from engaging in such occupations. The creative ways that those who perform such dirty work learn to communicate with each other--and with outsiders--regulate the negative aspects of the work itself and emphasize the positives so that workers can maintain a sense of self-value even while performing devalued occupations.

PART I: ETHNOGRAPHY OF TAINT

1 Doing Justice, Shirley K. Drew

2 Dirty Work and Discipline Behind Bars, Sarah J. Tracy & Clifton Scott

3 Riding Fire Trucks and Ambulances with America's Heroes, Clifton Scott & Sarah J. Tracy

4 Without Trucks, We'd Be Naked, Hungry & Homeless!, Melanie Mills

5 Bitching about Secretarial "Dirty Work", Patricia Sotirin

6 Nursing as Dirty Work, Melanie Mills & Amy Schejbal

7 Crack Pipes and TCells: Use of Taint Management by HIV/AIDS/Addiction Caregivers, Stephanie Poole Martinez

PART II: CASE STUDIES

8 Good Cops, Dirty Crimes, Bob M. Gassaway

9 Cops, Crimes, and Community Policing, Shirley K. Drew & Mendy Hulvey

10 The Death Doctors, Bob M. Gassaway

PART III : CONCLUSION

11 Ethnography as Dirty Work, Shirley K. Drew & Melanie Mills

12 Concluding Thoughts, Melanie Mills, Shirley K. Drew, & Bob M. Gassaway