Sea daddy: an excursus into an endangered social species

This paper examines the stereotypic image of the American merchant seaman. The persistence of this stigma has made attempts at higher social status for seamen problematic. A typology of seamen is constructed on the basis of two dimensions: primary identification either with seaman subculture or shore-side society; and response to the stigma of the occupation. Ninety-five interviews were conducted with seamen, union officials, and relatives of seamen. Participant observation is used to supplement the data obtained in the interviews.