Citation

Berkman PL. Am. J. Sociol. 1946; 51(5): 380-387.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1946, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/219847

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In port an armed-guard ship, divorced of its primary function, becomes unorganized and tends to lose its shipshape character; a "scattering-ashore" process begins. The ship, devoid of men and with social interaction reduced to a minimum thereby, disintegrates as a social unit. Under way, with routine duties and collective expectations re-established, the ship assumes a social identity through the development of group solidarity and integration. A landlubber, thrust into this situation, becomes a sailor in a context of shipboard discourse, rough weather and the development of sea legs, informal initiatory ritual, standing watches, general quarters, and the imminence of enemy attack.