Water sharing is a distressing form of reciprocity: Shame, upset, anger, and conflict over water in twenty cross-cultural sites

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 124(2) • Wiley Periodicals LLC • • Published In • Pages: 279-290 •
By Wutich, Amber, Rosinger, Asher, Brewis, Alexandra, Beresford, Melissa, Young, Sera L., Household Water Insecurity Experiences Research Coordination Network

Abstract

This paper investigates the emotional and social outcomes of water sharing within societies and suggests water sharing is a unique reciprocity act that results in negative emotional outcomes, rather than the usual prestige and rank. A questionnaire regarding water sharing and receiving was carried out across 20 sites, targeting 250 houses per community. The authors found that both water sharing and receiving resulted in more distress and conflict than those who shared less.
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: danielle.russell  jacob.kalodner