Search

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 were made difficult. Findings included: (1) women's appreciation of the outdoors was related to exposure to outdoor opportunities as a child, either through family, school, or summer camp experiences; (2) a progression of 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)

This paper reviews the research on women in the outdoors, 1978-97. Among the major findings are the following: women were underrepresented and underpaid in executive and management positions related to outdoor programs; women tended to lead outdoor groups differently than men; outdoor recreation patterns differed in that women were more likely to seek out aesthetic experiences whereas males enjoyed the glory of exploring the unknown; little research has addressed diversity and women in the outdoors; all-female groups have demonstrated value related to the absence of traditional gender expectations; lack of confidence limited women's success more than did physical limitations; outdoor activities boosted self-esteem; the major constraints to finding meaning in the outdoors for women related to social dimensions; and outdoor activities had therapeutic benefits for women. The findings indicate that much of the research on girls and women is not framed as feminist or gender-based; research focused on gender differences has revealed little about the outdoor experience for females; research on women in the outdoors has contributed to a broader understanding of the epistemology and methodology used by researchers; studying girls and women may pave the way for addressing gendered meanings and other issues of diversity in the outdoors; research must emphasize critical analyses in addition to personal experience; and empowerment is emerging as an important theme that could benefit all outdoor educators. (Contains 58 references.) (TD)

Discusses factors contributing to the nonparticipation of African-American women in outdoor recreation activities including (1) historical oppression and racism; (2) stereotyping by race and gender; (3) lack of role models; (4) insufficient exposure to activity options; (5) limited accessibility to outdoor recreation areas; and (6) oppressive economic conditions. (LP)