ERIC ED413129: "Kind of in the Middle": The Gendered Meanings of the Outdoors for Women Students.

16 Pages·1996·0.37 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
RC 021 213
ED 413 129
Henderson, Karla A.; Winn, Sherry; Roberts, Nina S.
AUTHOR
"Kind of in the Middle": The Gendered Meanings of the
TITLE
Outdoors for Women Students.
1996-00-00
PUB DATE
14p.; In: Coalition for Education in the Outdoors Third
NOTE
Research Symposium Proceedings (3rd, Bradford Woods,
Indiana, January 12-14, 1996); see RC 021 207.
Speeches/Meeting Papers (150)
Research (143)
Reports
PUB TYPE
MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
*College Students; *Early Experience; Family Influence;
DESCRIPTORS
Fear; *Females; Higher Education; *Participation; Sex Role;
Sex Stereotypes; Young Adults
Barriers to Participation; *Environmental Attitudes;
IDENTIFIERS
*Outdoor Recreation
ABSTRACT
Although a growing literature base about women's involvement
in the outdoors has emerged in the past 10 years, little attention has been
given to gender analyses related to the social meanings of being female in a
changing society. Five focus group interviews with a total of 36 women
focused on past, present, and future involvement in the outdoors and whether
the outdoors was perceived as a gendered environment. The women were
university students attending leisure studies classes and ranging in age from
19 to 25. The sample consisted of 5 African-Americans, 2 Asian-Americans, and
29 women of white heritage. The women described a range of gendered behaviors
related to the outdoors and discussed common constraints to participation
such as fear and the need for partners. With gender as an organizing
framework, interpretation of the data exemplify how most women made choices
contingent on contexts and relationships, not just their biological female
status. However, the impact of changing women's roles, past socialization,
and stereotypical gender expectations made the determination of how choices
(1) women's appreciation of the
were made difficult. Findings included:
outdoors was related to exposure to outdoor opportunities as a child, either
(2) a progression of
through family, school, or summer camp experiences;
appreciation, interests, skills, and opportunities in the outdoors was
necessary for female involvement but was sometimes impeded by gendered
constraints; and (3) most women were optimistic and wanted to believe that
the outdoors is a gender-neutral environment, but their experiences sometimes
contradicted such idealized attitudes. Contains 25 references.
(SV)
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94
"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS
MATE AL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
U.S.
kg Ft
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
Aar
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
"KIND OF IN THE MIDDLE":
CENTER (ERIC)
This document has been reproduced as
\in ple_.
received from the person or organization
THE GENDERED MEANINGS OF
originating it.
Minor changes have been made to
WOMEN STUDENTS
THE OUTDOORS FOR
improve reproduction quality.
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."
Points of view or opinions stated in this
document do not necessarily represent
official OERI position or policy.
Nina S. Roberts
Sherry Winn
Karla A. Henderson
Staff Associate
Graduate Assistant
Professor
Student Conservation Association
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina
involvement
the links between past, present, and future
The purpose of this study was to examine
environment.
the outdoors was perceived as a gendered
for females and perceptions about whether
interviews. Several aspects of grounded theory
Data were collected using five focus group
child, in-
of exposure to outdoor opportunities as a
emerged from this study including aspects
contradictions
and resistance to a gendered society, and
volvement in the outdoors as a result of
of women's involvement in the outdoors.
between idealized attitudes and the realities
participation, girls, resistance, environment
KEYWORDS: Gender, outdoors, women,
because of
suits or inaccurately depicted mainly
INTRODUCTION
the incompatibility between traditional percep-
and women's
tions of female roles and girls'
Despite gains by women in society, many
Bialeschki,
outdoors exist
desire to be involved (Henderson &
gendered contradictions about the
heard the
claim the out-
1995). For example, we have seldom
regarding whether women should
class
physical, emo-
history about how some middle and upper
doors as a place to nurture their
lived
white women at the turn of the century
Those issues were
tional, and spiritual identities.
gentle women
heritage who
two lives as explorers and as
expressed by this woman of white
1980; Lynch,
the outdoors in
LaBastille,
has become more involved in
1986;
(Kaufman,
remained
1987). Until recently, women have
recent years:
mostly invisible, with the outdoors seen as a
---
do, I do with
Mast of the outdoor activities I
involved as
male domain unless females were
have any
mother guy. Or my mom. I don't
made few
helpmates. Women have traditionally
things. I
female friends that want to do those
have
demands for outdoor recreation, but many
middle. I'm
think of myself as kind of in the
of years.
there with all the been involved quietly for a number
not a tomboy that's out
but yet, I'm not the
guys doing that stuff;
by the contem-
The changes brought about
rain at the
little girl who won't sit in the
of the past thirty
porary women's movement
of in
Hootie concert. You know, I'm kind
in a new visibility about
years have resulted
the middle.
well as in other areas
women in the outdoors as
mid-
Historically women have been in the
individuals like to
of leisure involvement. Many
in outdoor pur-
dle. They have been invisible
longer a male do-
think that the outdoors is no
rs
Caro-
at the University of North
Leisure Studies and Recreation Administration
Karla A. Henderson is Professor of
Nina S. Roberts is a staff associate at
graduate assistant in the department; and
lina at Chapel Hill; Sherry Winn is a
Henderson, Curriculum in Lei-
O
Correspondence should be directed to: Karla
the Student Conservation Association.
27599-3185; (919)
UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, NC,
Administration, CB #3185 Evergreen,
sure Studies and Recreation
[email protected]
962-1222; Fax [phone];
2
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95
GENDERED MEANINGS
outdoors was perceived
tions about whether the
little about how young
main. Yet, we know
environment.
as a gendered
perceive themselves as females
women of today
identities
how their cultural
BACKGROUND LITERATURE
in the outdoors or
experiences. We also do not
might define their
evidence
provide
statistics
Quantitative
that many females associate
participation patterns of
know the meanings
about the evolving
roles
related to the changing
the
with the outdoors
outdoors. For example, in
women in the
in society.
and staiiisof women
recreation partici-
1990's all aspects of outdoor
faster for females
study was to examine
pation are expected to rise
The purpose of this
only activity that has
exist for females
than males. Hunting is the
whether gendered meanings
than males although
For this study, the
less female participation
regarding outdoor recreation.
suggests that more
recreation included all
popular current literature
definition of outdoor
hunters as well (Begley,
that occur in a natural
women are becoming
freely chosen activities
Powered Outdoor Rec-
environment. The defini-
1995). The 1995 Human
and/or remote outdoor
Report (Widdekind,
continuum of opportuni-
reation State of the Industry
tion further included a
indicating that 6% of the
walks in a community park
1995) showed statistics
ties that ranges from
backpacks, 35%
in-
female population in the US
expeditions. These pursuits
to wilderness
hike, 4% Nordic ski,
in the outdoors with
bicycle, 7% canoe, 22%
cluded informal gatherings
and 80% walk for pleas-
involvement through
friends and family to
2% do rock climbing,
along with
Females may partici-
this recent research
ure. Further,
structured organizations.
the most significant
co-ed, and/or family group
other studies, suggested that
pate in all women,
whether or not
outdoor activities
determinant of involvement is
involvements. In addition,
with
participation in outdoor recreation occurs
of all ages.
may be for women
About two-thirds of those
the family as a child.
Bialeschki
and
Roberts
to
According
introduced to their
who recreate outdoors were
women in the
(1995), most of the research on
the age of 17,
favorite outdoor activity before
concerned five primary
outdoors until now has
the age of eight
and half of those before
gender, effects on
topics: leadership/guiding,
(Widdekind, 1995).
constraints/barriers, and all women
women,
increasing value
outdoors
about gender and the
These statistics prove the
groups. Research
but they tell us little
gender differences (e.g.,
of the outdoors for women,
has largely focused on
have in the
1987; Jordan, 1992;
about the experience that women
Henderson & Bialeschki,
offers some insight
with some concep-
outdoors. Past literature
Knapp, 1995; Mitten, 1986)
of outdoor involve-
examined what being fe-
about the positive effects
tual studies that have
Cole, Erdman, & Roth-
Bialeschki & Henderson,
ment on women (e.g.,
male means (e.g.,
& Bialeschki, 1986;
1995; Holz-
blum, 1994; Henderson
1937 ITEnderson & Bialeschki,
Research data as well
Miranda & Yerkes, 1982).
warth, 1993; Mitten, 1992).
describe the social rewards, em-
as testimonials,
study is twofold.
The value of this current
benefits, therapeutic out-
powerment, health
explored the potential gen-
First, we empirically
freedom, and sense
comes, stress management,
involvement in the
dered meanings of female
develops as a result of the
of community that
examined intui-
outdoors that often has been
probably are not dif-
outdoors. These outcomes
Second, the re-
tively rather than empirically.
sometimes women may
ferent for men, although
represented a variety of
spondents in this study
(Henderson,
experience them in a different way
ranging from fe-
involvements in the outdoors
1992).
those who said
males who loved the outdoors to
literature has de-
spending time in
Similarly, a large body of
they absolutely did not enjoy
of constraints
understand mean-
the outdoors. We wanted to
veloped around the understanding
(e.g., Bialeschki &
between past, present,
related to outdoor pursuits
ings related to the links
& Drogin, 1993;
females and percep-
Henderson, 1993; Roberts
and future involvement for
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3
HENDERSON, WINN, & ROBERTS
96
understanding deeper meanings about the out-
Warren, 1985). A constraint is anything that
doors.
inhibits people's ability to participate in activi-
ties, to take advantage of opportunities, or to
METHODS
achieve a desired level of satisfaction. Different
An interpretive paradigm was the basis for
constraints have different impacts upon groups
this research study. Symbolic interactionism
of women. Examples of constraints discussed
provided the framework for collecting data. Ac-
family
are: an ethic of care often influenced by
cording to Blumer (1969), symbolic interac-
responsibilities, gender expectations related to
tionism assumes that human beings are con-
definitions of femininity and masculinity in so-
scious, feeling, thinking, and reflective subjects.
ciety, lack of skills and opportunities, and
People impute meanings about what is happen-
physical and psychological fears for safety.
ing around them and how they are interacting
Most of these intrapersonal, interpersonal, and
with others. Specifically, symbolic interaction-
structural fears relate to some aspect of being
ism was used to explore the relationships that
female in relation to the outdoors.
young women had, are currently having, and
Although a growing literature base about
expect to have with the outdoors.
the outdoors has
women's involvement in
Data were collected using group interviews,
emerged in the past ten years, an area where
groups
to
focus
as
referred
popularly
understanding is lacking relates to sophisticated
(Henderson, 1991). The values of this method
analyses of gender, not as sex differences, but as
include its socially oriented procedure, allow-
the social meanings of being female in
a
ances for the moderator to probe, low cost,
changing society (Henderson, 1994). Gender
speedy results, and the opportunity to use a
refers to cultural connections associated with
smaller group units
large sample in
fairly
one's biological sex. Thus, when biological sex
(Krueger, 1988). We collected data during Sep-
is determined at birth as female or male, cultural
tember 1995 from five focus groups composed
expectations are associated immediately with
of a total of 36 women who had varying experi-
the child. Further, gender is an ongoing process
ences in their involvement with the outdoors.
trait. The
rather than an inborn biological
Each focus group ranging in size from 6-8 peo-
meaning of gender is constructed by society and
ple met for 75 minutes and was facilitated by
each of us is socialized into that construction.
two leaders. A sample of the questions asked is
Gender scholarship addresses the complexity of
found in Table 1. The focus groups were audio-
roles, and behavior associated
expectations,
taped and transcribed.
with being male as well as being female.
In addition to a set of semi-structured focus
Conducting research with gender as the fo-
group questions, the participants also completed
crisrhcrevever, requires that we acknowledge the
a short questionnaire that asked their attitudes
meaning of being female as a fluctuating, not a
about the outdoors as well as participation and
fixed state. Being female has varied historically
demographic information. We used the quanti-
and contextually. Assuming that all females ex-
tative data primarily to describe the sample. A
perience outdoor recreation in the same way is
convenience sample was used to try to get a
risky. One's biological sex alone does not de-
broad range of responses from female students
termine behavior, rather it is the way that an
at a large southern research university. The
individual interprets his or her gender that is
qualitative data were the basis for the data
important (Henderson, 1994). Race, age, educa-
analysis.
tion, cultural background, and other characteris-
tics affect each female's experience in a way
The 36 female students were recruited from
that cannot be generalized to all other females.
four classes taught by leisure studies faculty.
Using gender as a central focus in examining the
Recreation majors were the majority of one
experiences of females along with other aspects
class, but the other three were non-recreation
of identity such as race can give us insights into
4
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97
GENDERED MEANINGS
TABLE I
Focus Group Questions Guide
Tell us a little about your involvement in the outdoors
little, or just right? Explain.
Is your involvement in outdoor activities too much, too
outdoor experience like
When you were a child, did you participate in any kind of organized
why you might not
attending a camp or going school camping? Describe that experience or
have had that experience.
in the outdoors?
What do other family members do in the outdoors? Are they active
involvement in the outdoors?
How did other people influence your attitude toward and
involvement in the outdoors?
How does whether you were a "tomboy" or not relate to your
might like?
What prevents you from enjoying the outdoors in all the ways that you
female than if you had been male?
Is your outdoor involvement different because you are
be?
What do you hope your future involvement in the outdoors will
be of help to us in trying to un-
What other issues or ideas has this discussion raised that might
derstand the involvement of women in the outdoors?
Recreation majors were the majority of one
major populations. In recruiting participants, we
class, but the other three were non-recreation
encouraged individuals who were not experi-
major populations. In recruiting participants, we
enced in the outdoors to participate in the focus
encouraged individuals who were not experi-
who were inter-
groups as well as individuals
enced in the outdoors to participate in the focus
ested. All participants signed informed consents
who were inter-
groups as well as individuals
and received a small monetary stipend for their
ested. All participants signed informed consents
involvement in the interview. The sample con-
and received a small monetary stipend for their
sisted of 5 African-American students, 2 Asian-
involvement in the interview. The sample con-
American students, and 29 women of white
sisted of 5 African-American students, 2 Asian-
heritage. All the students were between the ages
American students, and 29 women of white
of 19-25_ with 30 individuals being 20 or 21
heritage. All the students were between the ages
in a large city,
years old. Ten students grew up
of 19-25 with 30 individuals being 20 or 21
10 in a medium city, 13 in a small town, and
in a large city,
years old. Ten students grew up
two on farms. Thirty-one had attended camp as
10 in a medium city, 13 in a small town, and
counselor at camp.
a child and 21 had been a
two on farms. Thirty-one had attended camp as
Thirty-one of the students said they loved the
counselor at camp.
a child and 21 had been a
outdoors with 5 who did not care about it. The
Thirty-one of the students said they loved the
number of outdoor recreation activities done as
outdoors with 5 who did not care about it. The
children in the outdoors ranged from two activi-
number of outdoor recreation activities done as
ties to 14 with a median of seven different ac-
children in the outdoors ranged from two activi-
tivities. The number of outdoor activities done
ties to 14 with a median of seven different ac-
in the past year ranged from one to 11 with a
tivities. The number of outdoor activities done
median of five activities.
in the past year ranged from one to 11 with a
The 36 female students were recruited from
median of five activities.
four classes taught by leisure studies faculty.
HENDERSON, WINN, & ROBERTS
98
Reflections on Past Involvement
HYPERQUAL2 was used to organize and
analyze the data. The analyses of most interest
Focus group members initially were asked
to the researchers pertained to
questions to ascertain how they were involved
with the outdoors. Past involvement revealed a
examining how the outdoors was perceived in a
variety of responses from the participants. The
past, present, and future context and how gender
two primary influences about growing up re-
helped to underscore the involvement or lack of
lated to the young women's involvement with
involvement of young women. HYPERQUAL2
family and youth organizations, although not all
allowed for the coding of the data in many ways
women in the study had outdoor recreation op-
in devel-
so that the linkages could be examined
portunities. Several respondents discussed what
oping the grounded theory that emerged in the
it meant not having much contact with the out-
study. We noted something about the back-
doors while growing up. One student of white
ground of students where appropriate, but we
heritage who currently does not enjoy the out-
did not make any direct comparisons across
doors explicitly stated, "I've had very little ex-
demographic characteristics since comparisons
perience in the outdoors. I don't like to be in the
study.
were not the purpose of this qualitative
woods, I've never spent any time in the woods."
Although analyzing ethnic comparisons was
A student of white heritage offered this analysis:
not the focus of this study, we noted the racial
And they [people who didn't grow up in-
identity of the respondents for several reasons.
volved in the outdoors] don't appreciate the
By describing the race of the study participants,
outdoors like people that were brought up in
of
we were able to recognize different aspects
it. How you were brought up has a lot to do
female experiences. In addition, to date most
with it. When you're brought up outdoors I
studies pertaining to women in the outdoors
think you're going to appreciate it when
have focused on women of white heritage. Al-
you're older and stay with it. I was outside
though much work needs to be done examining
all the time, and that's how I am now, I
the intersection of race, class, and gender in the
can't get enough.
outdoors, we wanted to acknowledge the racial
Within the contexts of little involvement, as
identity of the respondents to give visibility to
well as family and youth organization activities,
the potential cultural nature of the responses. In
other gendered reflections also emerged.
considering gender as the central theoretical
Family
framework, our interpretations showed how
make
some women's experiences led them to
Some individuals were active outdoors with
choices contingent on contexts and relation-
their families while others had few family expe-
ships, not just because they were biologically
positive
such
Comments included
riences.
femareor male. Further, our intent was not to
statements as this one by a woman of white
of color
compare females and males or women
heritage who grew up in a city, "My parents
and white women, but to examine the possible
loved to camp so we went camping a lot when I
being
contexts that surrounded being female and
described
was growing up." A similar anecdote
involved in the outdoors.
an active white outdoor family:
RESULTS
Sometimes on Friday mornings he'd [dad]
wake us up and say, "Packing up for some-
This analyses focused around the young
where cold for three days." And then he'd
women's reflections of their past, perceptions of
get in the car and we'd drive...most of the
their present, and expectations about their future
time we ended up in the mountains because
involvement within a gendered context. Exam-
that's what we liked.
conclu-
ples of these themes are presented with
Another student of white heritage who is a rec-
for
sions that provide some grounded theory
reation major illustrated her family's involve-
summarizing the gendered meanings of the out-
ment in this way:
doors.
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99
GENDERED MEANINGS
outdoors. And I think some of these things, I
For my family it [the outdoors] was really a
was introduced to through camps...It kind of
spiritual place. Everybody else went to
all fitted togetherI was introduced to be-
church on Sunday and we always went on a
ing in the outdoors through being with my
hike on Sunday and that's what we were
parents and the more risky activities didn't
taught. This is what your higher power is
have anything to do with them.
everything out there.
In a similar way, another white student who
On; young white woman who had limited
loves the outdoors today noted, "I learned a lot
experience in the outdoors growing up but really
of stuff through the Girl Scouts. I mean, every
enjoys it today said, "I think the biggest family
time we went camping, my parents did all the
thing was like, to go fishing. We'd go out there
work. But with the Girls Scouts, we had to do
and bait a hook and pull the fish out and sit out-
the cooking and we had to clean up and go pack
side and clean all the fish and it was just a big
the backpacks and everything."
Sunday afternoon thing to do." In contrast, an
African-American student who said she is indif-
Because her family was not too keen on the
ferent about the outdoors today commented "I
outdoors, an Asian-American student said that
guess my family really, they're not really out-
she is active in the outdoors today as a result of
door people...So, I've been fishing a couple of
organized school activities. She commented,
times and I didn't like it too well. But, we al-
"My father, the extent of his outdoor experience
ways go on picnics and stuff, but I'm not out-
is gardening and that's it. My mother and father,
when we travel we stay in really nice ho-
doors a lot." Family outdoor activities were not
popular with this student of white heritage who
tels...[but] camping was a really big part of my
currently says she likes the outdoors as long as
high school experience." Similarly, a student of
the weather cooperates: "I used to have to go
white heritage who is more active in the out-
camping and I hated it, especially when it would
doors today than ever before said, "I went to
rain. I can't stand it when it pours and when it's
Girl Scout camp [because] the extent of my par-
cold and damp and you smell bad and all that
ents experience in the outdoors was walking the
kind of stuff."
dog."
Camps and Youth Organization Involvement
Other individuals talked about how a posi-
tive or negative outcome of camping with youth
that young
A second major
influence
organizations did not matter, but just having any
women described was their involvements with
kind of outdoor experience seemed to provide
camping and youth organizations. Several de-
an appreciation for the outdoors that carried
scribed how these organizations complimented
over into their lives today. For example, one
family ventures and others described
their
white student said, "I went to camp twice and I
struMedcamp influences that were not all
hated it both times, but I guess that didn't make
positive.
much of a difference. I still love the outdoors
A combination of family and other struc-
today." In addition, one student of white heri-
tured outdoor activities was influential as de-
tage who loves the outdoors today described her
scribed by this woman of white heritage who
perception of the impact of Girl Scout camping
continues to be active in the outdoors today:
as:
My influence has been a combination of
We did have to deal with the bugs and
things because first of all, my family is a
of people would be
that
lot
things
a
farm family and so everything we've ever
squeamish about [but], I got over the nega-
done that I can remember has been out-
five side. I thought it was a little bit exciting,
doors. That's been work and play. They
there were things that you had to deal with,
[parents] don't believe in room service, my
but I really enjoyed it.
parents are real rugged down to earth peo-
ple. But then, I really like high risk activities
7
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HENDERSON, WINN, & ROBERTS
you move on. With the Girls Scouts, it's
Other Issues About Growing Up
like, they hold your hand so much, they
Issues of gender were evident when some of
don't let you do very much of anything.
the students described their childhood experi-
From another point of view, a woman of white
ences. Tomboyism as an aspect of the outdoors
heritage who grew up in a large city and was a
emerged several times in the focus groups. Most
camper for several summers said:
of the females agreed that a female did not have
A lot of my experiences were with the Girl
to 'eFceive herself as a "tomboy" to enjoy the
Scouts and so for all of the years that I was a
outdoors, but it helped. None of the women in
camper and a counselor, it was always all
any of the focus groups verbalized a negative
girls. And so for me it was never, "You
stigma attached to being a tomboy, although not
can't do this because you were a girl." I just
everyone in the focus groups noted or corn -.
never thought of it that way because there
mented about the notion. An African-American
was never anything I couldn't do just be-
student who grew up in a small town said, "I
cause I was a girl.
used to be a tomboy, I'm not going to lie. I
Issues of gender seemed to be evident for
climbed the trees, I mean I could climb a tree
some of the women retrospectively as they de-
and go anywhere the guys could go." A similar
scribed how they grew up. None of the women,
comment was made by a female of white heri-
however, admitted that being female had neces-
tage:
sarily been a detriment to them during their
I would spend 90% of the day in the woods.
youth. During the focus groups, several of the
I sort of hung out with all the guys in the
women indicated that they had never really
neighborhood, there weren't many girls...we
thought about the possible influence of gender
would camp out in the woods and play in
on their involvement in the outdoors.
the creek ...but as I grew older it dwindled
where I didn't do a lot of woodsy stuff.
Present Perceptions of Outdoor Involvement
A white student told this story: "I used to go
When the participants described on the
fishing with my dad. I'm the youngest of three
questionnaire their level of outdoor participation
girls and I was like, I was a tomboy when I was
from the past to the present, eight students said
little, I was like his little boy." Another white
it had increased, four individuals indicated no
student, however, countered some of these ideas
change, and 24 noted a decrease. An explanation
by describing her interests and traditional femi-
of the lives of the students interviewed helped
ninity, "When I think of the prissiest woman in
us understand more about the continuity or lack
the world, she can still like the outdoors. I don't
of continuity of their outdoor involvements over
think it [being a tomboy] has anything to do
time. Some of these changes related to gender
with IT[being in the outdoors]."
issues, but other factors affected what the young
women were currently experiencing regarding
Some gender issues concerning growing up
the outdoors.
were also evident in comments made about all
female groups. One woman of white heritage
Increases in involvement often were associ-
who attended camp every summer remarked,
ated with new opportunities. For example, one
"[Camp] was all girls and you just stayed in
woman of white heritage said that she got in-
separate cabins and being in the woods and you
volved with the outdoors after high school be-
didn't care what you looked like." An Asian-
cause she had the opportunity to be a counselor
American student offered a gender based com-
and go to camp for the first time, "I learned how
parison about the Boy Scouts and the Girls
to canoe and do a ropes course and so I was kind
Scouts:
of like learning to be a kid all over again." The
majority of young women in this study, how-
The Boy Scouts, they don't take it, they're
ever, described their outdoor activity as de-
like, "Deal with it." You see a bear, you see
a bear and you scream and that's it, and then
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GENDERED MEANINGS
alone either
tain places. And I don't like to be
and gen-
creasing due to a number of common
together and that
and it involves getting a group
der-related constraints.
remarked,
takes time." Another white woman
going with
"That's something else nice about
Common Constraints
planned it and you just
your family because they
For
Constraints are complex phenomena.
and you didn't
went along and it was so easy
individuals- who were
this analysis, we noted
anyway."
really have a choice and you just went
to par-
constrained and did not necessarily care
.,. -
well as indi-
ticipate in the outdoors more as
Needing Partners for Participation
involved, but
viduals who wanted to be more
with
Although having friends to participate
for a variety of reasons. The
were constrained
for many peo-
is a common constraint to leisure
individuals were
perceptions of both types of
the women in
ple, the experiences described by
to outdoor
noted as we examined constraints
often
this study reflected a dilemma that was
involvement.
also associ-
gender-based. Lack of partners was
had decreased
Women whose involvement
ated with fear and a lack of opportunities.
in outdoor pursuits
and who were not interested
who grew
One individual of white heritage
discomfort
generally indicated their continuing
and had done most of her
up in a small town
African-American woman
with the outdoors. An
family said,
previous outdoor activities with her
I go outside to
said, "I mean I like the outdoors.
boyfriends
"Most of my girlfriends have got
walk around. I'm
think. I'll go outside just to
of a relation-
right now and I've just come out
don't like."
interested, it's just the temperature I
and they're
ship so I'm pretty much strained
said:
A woman of white heritage
boyfriends." An-
always doing things with their
woods because I
don't have
I don't like to be out in the
other woman stated, "My friends
of
I'm
afraid
and
bugs
it's [outdoors]
don't
like
time either or they don't think
feel
snakes...like if I walk to the woods I
for me to do it
important so there's really no one
I just
like I have bugs crawling all over me...
really going
with." She went on to say, "I'm not
doing much of
don't find it fun to be outside
alone and go out
to take off and go somewhere
freezing
anything if I'm sweating to death or
know, the
in the woods alone, especially, you
to death.
way things are today."
for women who
constraints
Regarding
needing part-
Fear often was the basis for
several com-
wanted to do more but couldn't,
This fear generally re-
ners in the outdoors.
emerged that have been uncov-
mon constraints
notions. Con
time and
volved around gender-based
ered in other studies. Specifically,
in some of
tradictions were apparent, however,
frequently by this group
money were mentioned
female students
the issues about fear that the
of white
of 4turleats. One quote by a woman
of white heri-
of several of
raised. For example, one woman
heritage that typified the attitude
not aware of
tage who grew up in a city was
the young women was:
said:
how fear changed her life when she
in the
I have a lot of things that I want to try
attacked
because of
I don't think about being raped or
future but I've not gotten to
anything when I go
or being assaulted or
maybe time restrictions or monetary restric-
I
walking by myself. I mean I just make sure
backpacking
tions. Like I would love to go
lights if
af-
don't do it where there are not street
and stay gone for two weeks but I can't
of my ac-
I'm walking on a street. But most
ford all the equipment and stuff.
think
tivities I do during the day, I just don't
the issue of
Related to time and money was
about it.
discussed. One
planning that several women
"I would
Another woman of white heritage said,
heritage who had gone
young woman of white
if I was by myself
not walk around Raleigh
said, "It takes a
to summer camp for ten years
and just
alone. But I would go to the mountains
[outdoor activi-
lot of time to plan these things
travel to cer-
walk."
ties] and a lot of times it involves
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102
Hunting was an issue that raised reactions
Other women were clear about their fears
among the women who were interviewed.
regarding the outdoors and how it related to
Hunting was considered a "male thing" because
them being female. One woman lamented, "I
one woman of white
heritage
stated,
as
just feel like I couldn't do some of the activities
"Females, at least from my experience, they
by myself that I would like to do." Another
don't seem to want to go out and kill a big bear
white woman who had previously described the
about
or something." Another woman talked
outdeoirs as a liberating experience during the
hunting as being a way for men to "claim their
focus group said, "I wouldn't want to camp by
manhood." Another sentiment was expressed by
myself. I don't really know why, I guess at
enjoy
a woman of white heritage who did not
night, being out there alone by yourself with
the outdoors. She said, "I feel terrible when I
nothing around you to protect you except maybe
pull a little fish up and I know it's going to die
heritage summed up
a stick." A woman of white
and things like that."
this gendered fear issue by stating:
Related to gender as a possible constraint
I told one of my guy friends that I wish I
for women in the outdoors was the idea that
was a guy because it's just not fair. You
buy
know, I should have lived a long time ago
men are more inclined and encouraged to
when I could have done all these things
equipment necessary for outdoor activities. One
alone...I mean the most fun to me is just
active
woman of white heritage, who is not as
seeing new places and doing new things, but
today in the outdoors as she was in the past, re-
I can't really do that alone.
marked that the outdoors "isn't being sold to
women." She said, "When you go into an out-
Gender Expectations and the Outdoors
door store, I'd say three-fourths is for guys.
Even though fear was a gendered constraint,
There's this little section for females and the
most of the women interviewed indicated that
rest is for guys."
they did not perceive the outdoors today as the
Two of the women interviewed thought
primary domain of males with females not wel-
when they
women were different from men
females were
come. Most respondents felt that
males in most out-
were in the outdoors and this was a
positive
as likely to be involved as
benefit. One Asian-American woman noted that
door pursuits other than perhaps hunting. One
"females are a lot easier to deal with." She de-
woman, for example, said:
scribed how on a hiking trip other women were
I don't know why, I just can't see too many
encouraging, supportive, and positive influences
walk." I
guys saying, "I'm going on a nature
that helped her along when she needed it. The
can't see too many women saying "I'm go-
men on that trip had not been helpful.
ing out deer hunting"...and there are those
--"actFities that are kind of equal like white
Entitlement and the Ungendered Outdoors
water rafting and canoeing.
Almost all of the women interviewed ex-
Similarly, a woman of white heritage who grew
pressed that they felt entitled to outdoor experi-
that if people
up in a small town indicated
ences whether they chose to be involved or not.
thought of the outdoors as a man's world it was
Many of the students did not feel that as females
"that they're thinking about hunting and fishing.
they were discriminated against or at a disad-
They're not thinking about the whole thing like
vantage concerning their outdoor recreation op-
nature walks, hiking, rafting, canoeing." An-
portunities.
other white woman noted that females may get
Several women did not feel there were any
involved in stereotypes that suggest that you
gender differences in the outdoors. An African-
should not "be strong and go out and do all that
stuff, the outdoorsy stuff' even though this
American woman remarked about her percep-
tions of how times have changed:
stereotype had not inhibited her at all.
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