Dissertation on Re-enactment - a plea for aid!

[Carus Andiae]

For my sins, I have set out to do a dissertation on military and and other violence-related (like gladiators) re-enactment for my MA in Museum Studies at Newcastle University. Specifically I'm focussing on moral and ethical issues - safety, authenticity, sensitive issues and so on.

I was wondering what views you might have on such issues? Authenticity seems to be a key issue as, one might expect, but what about sensitivities (not something one would generally expect to encounter a problem with at a Roman site, but it's suprising how excitable some people seem to get about the Roman Empire, especially if they have romanticised views of the assorted barbarian peoples).

Are their any ethical concerns about 'playing' soldiers? And so on. I know I'll get rather a biased slant on a purely Roman forum, but I am aware that there are those on the boards who also do or have done other periods.

In addition to any general comments, if you could fill out the survey it would be most helpful (if you'd rather be anonymous, you can of course send me a private message). Also, please indicate if you would be happy to be quoted and/or named in the dissertation.

EDIT:
PLEASE NOTE: THIS SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS TO ALL WHO ANSWERED

1) What gender are you?

2) What is your age group?
Under 25
25-35
36-45
46-55
56-65
Over 65

3) What period do you portray?
Prehistoric (including Iron Age)
Roman
Dark Ages (post Roman – Saxon/Viking etc)
Medieval (1066 to 1485)
Tudor/Elizabethan (1485-1603)
English Civil War
American War of Independence
Napoleonic Wars
Victorian
First World War
Second World War
Post WWII
Other (specify)

4) What role do you play?

5) Why do you take part in living history activities? Which is the most important reason?
Hobby
Research
‘Live’ the past
Educate the public
A job
Other

6) Are potential ethical or moral issues something you would take into account when participating in an event?

7) If yes, what issues would you consider? What is the most important?
Seen as glorifying war/violence
Violence as entertainment
Sensitive time/locality
Need for authenticity Other…………………………………………………………………….

8) Which would be of more importance to you in an event?
Education Entertainment

9) At what point would you consider an event unethical or inappropriate?
Always unethical
Period too recent
The group/unit portrayed
The location
Violence too graphic
Violence with no educational purpose
Inauthentic display
Timing (e.g. during real war)
Never inappropriate
Other

10) Have you any other comments?

Thank you so much!

David